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CANADIAffSiMING;
AN
Encyclopedia of Agriculture
BEING THE
liEI^OI^T
OF THE
AGRICULTURAL COMMLSSION
OF THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO.
^ustritied.
. . .,, - s 'I... ■., , .-r ■ \
TORONTO :
WILLL^MSON & COMPANY
Publishers and Booksellers.
1889.
PRINTED AT THB OFFICE CF " THK RCRAL CANADIAN,"
5 JORDAN aTBEKT, TORONTO.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
Origin and Procbepinob of thk CoMMisaioN
PAdF.
»- 14
CHAPTER II.
FEUIT CULTORB ,......,. 14-79
Fruit Growing in Ontario ...'!!.."/....'.".*.!!.!!.'!!!'.'..'* ""■■■"■ ■^^_ jg
Progress of Fruit Industry ,.,,, '....'.'.'. 18- 2n
Cultivation of the Apple 20-47
" Pear..... .;:"": 47I54
" Poach ..,.;;...::;:::::::::: 55-59
" " Apricot and Nectarine. . , 59
" Plum . 59_64
;: :; Cherry............... ' ...::::[ .w::::::::::: g-?J
Cjuince 65_ gg
Nameless Seedlings ...."...* * 66-67
Cultivation of the Raspberry , < . . . . i !!!!..!*.!!!!!!.'!.!!!.!. 67- 71
" " Strawberry 71-75
" Blackberry " .::;■.";; 76
" Currant W. [.[[[[ .":\\[: 76
Gooseberry 77
_, , , Melon *...... ......'. 77-78
Conoludmg Remarks "* 78-79
«
CHAPTER III.
•G bapbCclturr AND Native Wine Making .. 79-89
Cultivation of the Grape... ..'........".*, 79- 86
M»iiufacture of Wine , .' ,* .', . . '.'..., '..'..'.'..',',.',"" 86- 89
CHAPTER IV.
FOBESTRT AND ArBOBIODLTUBX ......; '. . 90-114
CHAPTER V.
Insbots, Injurious and BBNKPioiAt........ 114-171
CHAPTER VI.
Insbotivorous Birds
171-180
CHAPTER VII.
BbB FARKINa
>••••••••••■
• • ■ > • • • «
181-188
4 ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
CHAPTER VIII.
FAOB.
GiNiRAL Farmino 188-^10'
Improved Stock 189-198
CJostof Thoroughbred Bulls 198-200
Various Breeds of Cattle 200
The Durham or Shorthorn 200-203
The Hereford 203 206
TheDevons , , 206-209
The Galloways 209-211
The Polled Angus 211-215
The Ayrshires 215-220
TheJerseys , ., 220-221
TheHolsteins , 221-224
Conclusions 225-226
Feeding for Market 226-229
Feeding Thoroughbreds 229-230
Dairy Feeding 231
Grazing for Afarket . 231-233
Permanent Pastures , , 233
Top Dressing 233-234
Distillery Feeding , 234-236
Treatment of Calves 235-237
Oil Cake as Cattle Feed , 237-239
Profits of Cattle Feeding 239-241
Cattle Shipping Trade 241-242
Sheep Farming 242-243
Foreign Demand , 243
Foreign Trade in Lambs , , 244
Trade with Great Britain 244-246
Early Maturity 24t)-247
Preference for Down Mutton 247-250
Wools , 250-263
Cotswolds \', 1 250-253
Leicesters , , 253-256
The Lincolns . .. 256
The Southdowns' Wool '.■ 256-257
Oxfords, Shropshires and Hampshires 258
Merinos .. 258
TheNatives ' . .'" 262
Treatmentof Wool , ".!*..!!!!*. !. 262-263
Feeding and Management of Sheep !.'...!".! 263-266
Profits of Sheep Farming 266-267
HogRaising 268-275
The Hog that is wanted 270-274
Feeding Hogs 274
Live versus Dead Hogs , . " i ^ ,*!!!!. ! 274-275
Grain Crops . , , , , , 275-302
Fall Wheat '.' .*!...!!!! 275-278
Spring Wheat !!!!!!!.!*!! 278-279
Cost of Growing Wheat *.!!!!.....'..*! 279-283
Wheat Cultivation 283-293
Professor Brown's Estimates ! '.!. 293-296
Barley 296-297
Oats 297-298
Peas 298-299
IndianCom , 299-302
Rye 302
RootCrops 302-305
Weeds 305-307
tlse and Treatment of Manure ...i........ 307
Management of Manure 308-311
Effects of Liberal Manuring 311
Under-draining 312-318
Sub-soiling , 318-319
CHAPTER IX.
Daibtino ..... 320-338
Cheese 320 327
Butter....... 327-338
INDEX TO REPORT.
5
188-31(^
.... 189-198
198-200
200
, 200-203
, 203 206
206-209
, 209-211
211-215
215-220
220-221
221-224
225-226
226-229
.... 229-230
, 231
231-233
• • • • • ^w
233-234
234-236
235-237
•.... 237-239
239-241
241-242
242-243
243
244
244-246
24r)-247
247-250
250-263
250-253
253-256
256
256-257
258
258
262
262-263
. . . 263-266
266-267
268-275
270-274
274
274-275
275-302
275-278
278-279
279-283
283-293
293-296
296-297
297-298
298-299
299-302
302
302-305
305-307
307
.... 308-311
311
312-318
318-319
320-338
327-338
CHAPTER X.
HoRflB Brkbding 3^* 375
Foreign Demand '.'.'.*.'.'.'. ..'.!'.'."...'.*.'.*,'.*.'.'.'.'.'." ;W9
Horses of the Province '..i ..'.*.'!'. .'.*..'.'.'!. !.*.*.'.'.*..'.'! 339-340
Selection for Breeding , !!!.!.'*.. !.i !..!!!.'.!!! !."!!* 340
The General Purpose Horse .'.....*.'.'.'.*.'.'.'.'.*.'.'.*.'.*.".".'.,*.'.' 340-341
Market for Draught Horses '.!!*.*.'.", 341-342
The Thoroughbred , ...'.'..'.'.'" 344
The Pacers. 'ILllW^yi^'^iy]]]].]". 344-346
The Pi ot-Pacers 34g
The Columbus- Pacers 34g
The Bullock Horse !.!!!!!!!'.'.!!'.'.'.',!" 346-348
The St. Lawrence
348
The Royal Georges I ....\]'.'.'.]\[['l[[[[ 348-351
The Clear Grits ^ 361-352
The Hambletonians !i!!.!!.!...!..'.!i,', !!.'.' 352-359
The Cleveland Bays !!.."!.*.! ' " ' 360-361
The Suffolk Punch '.........','........,. 361-362
The Clydesdales 362-363
The Percherons i.'!.'!*.'!!.'!. !.'"'.*..'!!'.!'. "!!.". 363-365
The Roadster
366
The Park or Coach Horse .!..'.*.".!..."!!.*.'!!!! 366-370
A Ride and Drive Horse •! i i !.!!!!!'.!!.!!.!"!!!!! ! 370 371
A Race of Ponies !..!!!!!,'!!'!"! 371
Cost of Raising a Colt '.".'..'.','.'.'.....'.'.','.',',','.'....' ,'.'.'.', 372
Afre of Breeding Mares ,*.'.'...... .*.'.'.'.'.'.* ,"..'. 373
Treatment of Colts .'!'..!!!!!!!.*!!!!'.!!..'.*!,!! 373-374
Racks and Stalls 374
Services ^lllllllllll.l[['.'.[[[[[[[]y][[] 374-375
CHAPTER XI.
Poultry AND Eggs 37g_384
1 he Dorkings 375-377
The Light and Dark Brahmas i ..!!!.!!*.!!!'.'.!'.!.".!!!.!!!! ' 377-378
The Houdans—Polands— Spanish . ^7«-'<Hft
The Plymouth Rocks-The Cochins '. ;"";; 380
A New Variety : The Langshan **[]. 332
Is Poultry Keeping Profitable? .'..'..!.!..'.'!!.*.'.*.'.'.'! 382-383
Incubators 303
Healthiness of Poultry i...l'l'M'\ll[['"]"l[lll[[lll.ll 383-384
CHAPTER XIL
Salt in Connection with Aoricultueb 384-394
Purity of Canadian Salt .'.'.'..*.'.'.*!*.** 386-387
Porkpackers' Complaints "!*.".*.".!!''.*.".',!",!'.!'..*.'.*.. 387-388
Canadian Salt in Cheese Making '.'.'.'.'.'.',',',"" 388-390
Canadian Salt in Butter Making .'!."l!!!!!!!r! *."" 390
Salt as a Fertilizer i ...!.! !!!!!!!1!!*,!.!!! 391-394
CHAPTER XIII.
Gtfsum, Bone, and Phosphates 394-406
Gypsum as a Fertiliser '.'.'."". 395-401
Bone Superphosphate .....!!!!'!".!!! 401-404
Mineral Superphosphate !!'.. ,!'.!! '.'. 404-405
Use of Superphosphate as Manure ."!!.. *!!.'i*!!!..'!!!! 405-406
CHAPTER XrV.
SpwialCrops 407^1()
Bea^ 408-409
Su^::'::.-.::.::::::::::: ^^^
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
CHAPTER XV.
ABRICCLTtrHi^L EnUOATFON AND FaBM ACCOUNTS
i\Kricultural Education
Vftrm Accounts
CHAPTER XVI.
MiTBOROLOOf
CHAPTER XVII.
MuBKOKA, Parry Sound, and Manitoulin.
MuHkoka, etc
Manitoulin, etc !.!.'!!.'*!!!'..'.'
CHAPTER XVIII.
D1BKA8B8 OF Stock— Stock Rkoisters . ,
Diseases of Stock
Stock Registers * *
CHAPTER XIX.
Stock Laws
CONOtUDINO RkMARKS.
411-417
411-418
41ft-41T
417-418
419-433
419-421
421-423
424-42r
424-426
426-427
42S-431
431-432
ruan.
111-417
111-415
115-41T
17-418
INDEX TO PLATES.
19-423
19-421
21-423
24-42T
24-426
2G-427
2S-431
31-432
••••••• I
■«•■«•«
!••«•••••
Bee moth paor.
Benehcial InHecta (see Insects Be'neficYaii ^^^
Cattle - Ayrshire bull
Beef and Bonen
Devons .;.
" Dominion Champion "-Shorthora Steer .*.'.', '.
Galloway ^ _
Hereford bull ..*.'.'..*.'
Holstein cattle '/.*,
Jersey bull '. '.'.'.."
Ketton (Durham) ox, 1795 ,".".".'
Model steer with parts named .
Polled Angus bull
Shorthorn bull ......'.
Shorthorn heifer " Icicle "'. ..'.'.
Hogs— Berkshire
English white, Large '..'.'.'.
Essex
Poland China '.".'.'.'.'.'.'..'
" Racer " or alligator "*
''"'^"-"ctru't'fe^''"^)
"Clear Grit"
Cleveland Bay '.',['/,
Clydesdale
Coach or Park Horse ....'..'. - —
"Leamington" (thoroughbred) 367
"Lexington" " 3*K
"Mambrino," sire of " Messenger
Maud S." , .
Park or Coach horse
Percheron
"Phil. Sheridan"...:;.:
"Rysdyk" ■■■■
;■ %sdyk's " Hambietoni;n ! : ! ! : : : : ' ; ! ! ! i !
btjffolk Punch .
161
215
. 197
.. 207
.. 193
.. 209
.. 204
.. 223
.. m
. 201
.. 200
,. 213
. 199
. 202
. 269
273
. 271
. 271
. 272
. 345
. 344
. 353
. 369
343
»•••••••«<
345
358
355
356
367
364
347
357
356
::Tl^^Jeff^son^^(IWa(G^^)-;^
360
349
Insects. I°J""°"«-51jM H i ^y^ chinch W Aphid^ or plant lice :: :::;.• nf
hop^r ' '™^ ''°™' Seventeen-year locust, Red-legged grass"- "
Zienrn. r>n.f.Arni1la>. r'nUl,™™^ ui-.r-. /~i , •'
pTllar°^ .'"!!'!" ^.*.^.k. ;»"««' Tent caterpillar, Forest Teni cater
Larva of Tussock moth," Canker w'oms' ". |??
Cecropia Emperor moth ^"'^
Cecropia Emperor caterwllar, Cocoon of'Cecropia Codling worm " " 1 ^q
Pear troe slug, Plum SpLinx and Chrysalis, S'SphSS ! \ \ \ Hi
I:'
//^
DB
'.\-^ V .
8 ONTARIO AOHICULTURAL COMMUmON
Inaoctii ln\\.\T\o\u~ Continued. f
rolypheiniiH caterpillar, Polyphemun moth, Cocoon of Pol pheniu' *'
moth, hye-Kimtted J)u<l moth ' ]43
Oblique-lmn.led loaf roller, CuruuUo, Poach l«)ier,'Saw"f!y,'toggVof
Hrw ny jIU
Larva of Haw fly, Currant Geometer, Ooowberry fruit worin, Jirport jd
currant borer, Amorioan currant borer 117
Oreen (llaajtberry) moth, Common May beetle.... !!!!!.[!" .'".'.' 14J>
Phylloxera , j5j
Green grape-vine Sphinx, Woo J Nymph«VGrap^-vlne LeaYiiol'lw.',; 1«3
Gra|)e-vino ijlum moth, Spotted Pelldnota, Grape-vine Flea beetle ... IBS
The Thri|)H, Tree Trioket 167
llueotB, Beneficial— Tiger beetles, i7a/o*onia .ScTutato-, Water beetles . , , 161
Common Scavenger beetle, A Curculio descroyer, An Icbneumon.' A
,, Tacji'nusfly '.183
' . Dragon flies Igj
Lady birds, Lace-wlnged flies, Syrphus flies," Soldier bujf,' Enemies of
Coll rado beetle I87
\_ ,, _ _ Syrphus fly, Grape-vine Sphinx parasite! 169
Poultry— Brown Leghorns ..., ggl
Dorkings ,.......,,,'.'.'.'.'. "..'. 376
Dark Br:ihma8 ...'..'...'...'.'..'.'.'...'.'.'.'.".".""," 379
Game Bantams ....*!!..!!*!! '^79
Light Brahmus ,........,,'...,..,... 373
Plymouth Hooks qon
Sheep— CotHwolds ".'.'...'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'".','.'. 2S1
IlampBhire Downs '...................',.','.'...'.....".,"" 259
I^eicenters . . . , ','.'.'.......'.','.'.,'.""' 265
Merino Ram '..'.',... .....'.'.'.'..,','.', 28'
Oxford Downs .....•!.!......'.*.'! 259
Shropshires '......".'.'.'....,.. ', ' 261
Soutodowns i , ' ,.'.'.'......'.',,., 267
ONTARIO
AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
EEPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS.
To the Honourable John Bkvbrlby Robinson,
LicHtenunt- Governor of Ontario.
Sir,— The anderBigned CommisBioners, appointed undnr tha an*^,/^^+„ «
OKIGIN
CHAPTER L
AND PBOCEEDINGS
COMMISSION.
OF THE
of theVrEceTo?/al^i^^^ " to inquire into the A^icultural rBBources
Itt^B^l^rd^SetTth"^^^^^^^
, The views expressed in the Commissioner's Report wore subseauentlv flmhn,H«^
r isrd";TaJrtd; ll^:r'' ^^ ^^^^^ -omlndation throSnT^tl
gest^d ^tlSSjl^: a^sThirr/hX^ irem*bts^TteTr?p^"^d
Commission should be more particularly invited tS addrerThrselveB ?' ^^'"^
1. The sou, climate, topographical features, cultivable area, and products, of
the several sections of tlie Province.
2. The progress and condition of husbandry in Ontario.
3. Grain-growing in its several agricultural and economical aspects.
10
! i
4.
6.
6.
7.
vS.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
ONTARIO AQRIGULTURAL OOMMISSION.
Stock raising in its several agricultural and economical asnects.
, Dairying do. do.
Fruit-growing do. do.
Beo-keeping.
Forestry.
Cultivation of special crops, such as flax, etc.
Drainage.
Manures— natural and artificial.
Insects and insectivorous birds.
Employment of labour, and labour-saving appliances.
The ownership system as compared \fUh renting.
Sto^k laws.
Fencing.
Agricultural book-keeping.
Agricultural education.
Agricultural Societies ; Grants and Shows.
Agricultural statisuos.
Functions of the Bureau of Agriculture.
do.
do.
The first meeting of the Commissioners, for the transaction of business, took
place at Toronto, on the 14th day of April, 1880.
In order to systematize the work to be performed, and to secure a due division
of lab, .r. It was resolved to classify the subjects of inquiry under the following
heads, seven in number, and to charge certain of the Commissioners, speciallv with
the duty of inquinng thereinto. ^ j, "^i-"
I. The Soil, Climate, Topographical I'eatures, Cultivable Area and Products of
the several sections of the Province, and the Progress and Condition of
Husbandry in Ontario.
II. Grain Growing in : ' s several Agricultural and Economical aspects ; Drainage
and Manures, and the Recuperation of Impoverished Lands.
III. Stock Raising, Dairying, Stock Laws and Fencing.
• IV. Fruit Growing, Forestry, Insects and Insectivorous Di. a. and Bee-keeping.
V. Cultivation of Special Crops, such as Flax, etc.
VL Labour and Labour-saving Appliances, Ownership ot land as compared with
Renting, Agricultural Book-Keeping and Agricultural Education.
VII. Agricultural Associations, Grants and Shows, and Functions of the Bureau
of Agriculture.
At the same time it was determined to prepare lists of questions under the
several heads, either to be forwarded to persons or corporations, or for the guidance
of the Oommjssioners in the oral examination of witnesses.
This plan was found to be a most advantageous one ; it not only assisted the
l^-onamssionets to obtain a large amount of information which would otherwise
hf.ve been beyond their reach, but it enabled them to advise witnesses, in advance
of the hne of inquiry to be followed. It had also the effect of classifying tha
evidence, oral and documentary, of reducing it to a convenient form, and con-
sequently of rendering it more intelligible and more easiJy accessible to the public
Meetings for the transaction of business were siib«equently held on the 15th
April, 9th June, 22nd June, and 27th Occober, 1880, respl)ctively.
The first action taken under the arrangements above described was, the issuing
the
issuing
I'ROCEEDINQS OF TEE COMMISSIONERS. n
to every township in the Province, addressed to the respective Reeves and Townshin
Clerks, a series of questions relating to matters soeciallv entriX,! ?^ fV,T^ ^
rnhsioners of Section One, the persoL addressed E" fviLd to call a mLtiS^^
the Council at which the attendance of the township officers and othS feaduS
ratepayers should be requested, for the purpose of considering the cXtions and
preparing answers. Th s course was very generally adopted, and whileltk evident
n^.«l Vr r'f '''" ""^^^'"'^^ ^" *^^« ^"f«™^^ manner, cannot be so accumte in a
pi-ely statistical sense, o- returns compiled by officers 'paid for devoting thSrtSie
to . c 0S9 inquiry into every detail, the Commissioners believe that it k as a whSa
reliable, .-ind as accurate as its nature would ^ ^rmit
Although the duties assigned to the township officers and others above .mentioned
have entailed no small sacrifice of time and labour, without pecunia?rrImun?raS
at a season of the year when agriculturists are mJst busy, the CoSSneS have
the groat satisfaction of reporting, that out of the whole Township AlaScjSias of
the Province, only two are unrepresented in the published returns ^^'iiS*?**^ ^^
Concurrently with the action of the Commissioners of Sectioi/!
ir^sub-ectT^-l °*^^'' branches of the inquiry, which em^
Fruit Growing, Forestry and Arboriculture.
Grape Culture, and the Manufacture of Wine from the Nati
Insects and Insectivorous Birds.
Bee Farming.
General Farming, including the Management of Crops and Stock
Manuring. '
The comparative merits of the several varieties of Cattle, Sheep, and Hogs
demand for Native Wool ; Hog-raising and Pork-packing.
Dairying including Cheese and Butter making, and the establishment of
r actories and Creameries.
The Feeding and Grazing of Cattle, and the Cattle Shipping trade.
Horse-breeding.
Poultry and Eggs.
Salt in relation to Agriculture and cognate industries.
Gypsum, Phosphates, and other special Fertilizers.
Cultivation of Flax, and other special crops.
Agricultural Education ; and
Meteorology in relation to Agriculture.
The information on the foregoing topics was partially obtained by circulars
addressed to leading representatives of the agricultural and f ruit-grLhfg ^nteresJs
m various parts of the Province, but principally by the oral examinatbn f t Toronl
and elsewhere of competent witnesses. «i*minaiion at loronto
In a few instances these investigations were conducted by the Commissioners
of the respective sections, but, more frequently, by two or three CommLs oners
only, se ected with a view to personal convenience and economy, and thSrspeckl
acquaintance with the subject in hand. special
+i,'at^u^^''T/i,^''''^^"* at a very early period of the Commissioners' proceedings
that It would be most satisfactory, and at the same time save a lar..e expenditSe
ll'.« il'^T'".^' ? ** ^^'''^^ P°'"*« "^ *J^« P^«^i'^<=«. instead of summon nga
large number of witnesses to Toronto. This course was accordingly adootedlnd
visits were ^aid to the following places-Guelph. London OWwf ^^nr/~ L 1
fciandwicli, VValkerviile, Seaforth, Teeswater, Fergus." GaYt Perth" AlmiitrY.J^
prior, Ottawa, Prescott, Belleville, Cobourg, and Bov^^n; lie 7t some of' tt Te
places no formal sitting was held, but much interesting information wTs o^bt^ned
I
12
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
by a persona! inspection of cheese factories, stock farms, horse-breeding establish-
ments and vineyards.
The total number of witnesses examined in the course of these visits, and in
Toronto f^ 155.
It was evident that, in an inquiry into the agriculture of Ontario, the condition
and pi\^gres8 of agriculture in the more newly settled districts could not be over-
looked, and for reasons which commended themselves to the judgment of the Com-
missioners, it »7as decided that three of their number should visit the Electoral
District of Muskoka and Parry Sound, for the purpose of personal observation, and
the examination of such witnesses as they might deem it advisable to call before
them.
During the summer, Mr. Richard Gibson, a member of the Commission, hav-
ing informed his colleagues of an intended visit to Great Britain, was requested by
resolution, to report, on his return, upon any subjects bearing upon the interests
of the Province, and cognate to the purposes of the Commission.
Mr. Saunders, another member of the Commission having occasion to spend
some time in the Island of Manitoulin, was also invited to report the result of his
observations on the agricultural resources of the island, and adjacent mainland
settlements.
During a visit of some of the Commissioners to the Counties of Essex and Kent,
Mr. Wm. McGregor, ex-M.P. for the latter county, gave evidence as to its resources
generally.
More recently, Mr. E. H. Hilborn, a member of the Commission, having visited
Washington and inspected the operations of the Agricultural Bureau of the United
States, and also obtained information regarding the introduction of agricultural
education into the Public Schools of the State of Tennessee, has contributed a
valuable report.
In addition to the large fund of materials thus collected, the Commission have
received a valuable letter on Forestry and Arboriculture, from the Honourable
Senator Allan ; a paper on Practical Dairy Farming, from Mr. Francis Malcolm,
one of their number ; additional evidence from Mr. Wiser, M.P., another Commis-
sioner, on Distillery Cattle Feeding ; statements obtained by Mr. Edward Byrne,
another Commissioner, respecting Private Cheese Factories in the -County of Leeds,
and several other items, of which not the least interesting are letters, statements,
and printed matter relating to the Holstein and Polled Angus breeds of cattle,
contributed by persons in the United States, and a paper on the Various Breeds of
Sheep, by Prof. Brown, also a member of the Commission.
Inquiries have been instituted by circulars, addressed to qualified Veterinary
Surgeons throughout the Province, as to the diseases, or freedom from diseases, of
farm stock in Ontario.
The operation of Stock or Herd Laws in Ontario and several States of the
Union, for restraining cattle and farm stock generally from running at large, has
been the subject of inquiry and correspondence.
Reports on botn the last above-named matters have been prepared, and will be
noticed in due course.
It will be sufficiently clear from the above, that the Commissioners have kept
closely in -. lew the importance of confining their attention to matters of a strictly
practical nature. Many important questions— more or less closely relating to the
interests of agriculture and the agriculturist— have presented themselves in the
course of the inquiry, but, desiring to give effect to the view expressed by the
Commissioner of Agriculture, in his recommendation to Council, of April last, that
their labours should be brought to an end in time to allow of a report being laid
before the Legislative Assembly during the forthcoming Session, the Commissioners
have resisted the inducements to travel over a wider field of investigation than
was outlined in the original programme.
They have, in fact, been compelled, with great reluctance, to leave untouched
some matters which they had hoped to have found an opportunity to deal with as
they deserved.
PEOCEF raS OF THE COMMISSIONERS.
13
I establish-
e mentioned, the employment of labour and labour-
and the comparative merits of the system of land
in this Province with that of leasing or renting farms,
3 of small capitalists, and the holders of encumbered
Among the latter m
saving appliances on f
ownership generally exih
more particularly in the
farm properties.
The subjects of Agricultural Associations and Shows, and the Grants made
annually by the Legislature in support thereof, were remitted for consideration to
one of the Sections, but the Commissioners of that Section have been constrained
to report to their colleagues— who fully endorse the opinion expressed— that, while
there is, undoubtedly, at the present time a very considerable feeling in the public
mind in favour of some alterations and modifications of the present system, no
radical change should be made without the most careful inquiry and the utmost
deliberation. Recognizing fully, however, all that time and altered circumstances
have effected m this regard, the Commissioners respectfully recommend that this
matter should be considered by the Government at no distant day. They believe
that full information respecting the work done, and the method of conducting
many of the present Associations and Shows, would indicate some re-arrangement
to be called for in the public interest. And such information, it is submitted,
might be obtained either under the powers of the Agriculture and Arts Act or by
other agency, with little difficulty and at small cost. It is with much regret the
Commissioners find, that other claims upon their time and attention have prevented
them from even attempting to do justice to this important subject.
In his recommendation to Council, before mentioned, the Commissioner of
Agriculture gave considerable prominence to the suggestion that the Commissioners
should report upon the functions of the Bureau of Agriculture, with a view to its
re-organization. In this connection the" subject of Agricultural Statistics would
have held a foremost place.
It can hardly be doubted but that an enlargement of the powers and functions
^l *^|j Bureau would be very desirable, in order that a more active supervision
should be exercised over the applications of the public money voted for the encour-
agement and advancement of agriculture, and that the Department of Agriculture
ahould be more closely identified with the great agricnltural interests of the Prov-
mce ' i;in, with its present limited machinery, is possible. But, for reasons already
set forth, the Commissioners feel unable to do more at the present time than advise
that the subject should receive the early attention of the Government and Legisla-
ture, and to state that, in the event of such a re-organization of the Bureau as is sug-
gested, the Commissioners would view with much pleasure any well-considered
scheme for utilizing the experience and information of practical agiiculturists, in an
advisory sense, m connection with the operations of the Bureau.
The Commissioners are desirous of expressing their high appreciation of the
prompt and ready responses they have received Trom the different persons and cor-
porations to whom requests for information and assistance have been, from time to
time, forwarded. They have also to acknowledge the courtsey shown them by re-
presentatives of the Government of the United States, and of the State Govern-
ments as well as by many private citizens of that country, to whom applications on
their behalf for documentary and other information have been made ; and they
may here take the opportunity of remarking that, in their opinion, great advantage
would result from a more frequent interchange of correspondence between the
Untario Bureau of Agriculture, and tho American Bureaux and State Boards of
Agriculture, the operations of which arc evidently carried on, in manv instances,
with great intelligence, energy and success. In the event of the Ontario Bureau
being reorganized, the experience of such or similar institutions in the United
states wouxd be found to be most useful.
In collecting, compiling and arranging the evidence, as well as in prebaring
their present report, the leading m.otive of the Commissioners lias been to rnako
the whole as useful as possible to those for whom the contents of the Report and
Its appendices are chiefly designed, and thus to produce a volume of practical infor-
mation for the farmers of Ontario.
14
ONTARIO AORICULTURAL COMMISSION.
The report that the CommisBioners have the honour to present has been written
n such a manner as to reproduce in a convenient shape the salient points of the
Ini^'hnr/"**'"*'' collected together and published in the form of\ppendices ;
fil in Vr'r ' considerably from the usual form of official documents, its use-
fulness will, the Commissioners hope, by that means be increased.
Ihey have adopted in their report a narrative, in preference to a didactic style
?air"fL" '" """? *° ^''' ""^™1^^ *° *^^^^ "^-^ «Pi"i«"« -« *o commun Late
them experience of those whose statements they have had before
AH the proceedings of th . Commissioners, whether at meetings for deliberation
ZJf\y examination of witnesses, have been open, and usually attended by re-
Sx«nt« f ir' "^ *^' P'^T'.iT^^ ^*^^ *.^^" ^"^ ^''''' *" '^»y documents and state-
ments in the possession of the Commissioners. To this, the Commissioners believe,
^largely due the public interest in the Commission, and the friendly spSt S
which Its labours have from t me to time been noticed. The examfnaSon of
witnesses have been conducted in as informal and conversational a manner as was
consistent with good order, and the despatch of business.
..,,- /?i!'^ observations the Commissioners will now address themselves to a
to demand ^'''^^''*'^' "^^^'^S, as they proceed, such comments as the facts seem.
jl
I
CHAPTER II.
FBUIT CULTUEE.
FRUIT GROWING CAPACITY OF ONTARIO.
;. X ^^ * Province, I should say that we are able to grow any fruits that are grown
m the temperate zone." That short sentence, extracted from the evidence Sm.
V. W. Beadle, one of the most eminent pomologists of this continent, briefly, but
comprehensively, describes the fruit grooving capacity of the Province of Ontario
One district or section may be more favourable to fruit production than another-
m some, certain descriptions of fruits cannot be so profitably cultivated as elsewhere '
m others the intelligent culturist makes his selection between different varieties but
—these distinctions admitted-it can be broadly and confidently asserted that in
the area comprised withm the scope of the Commissioners' investigations there i^
no fruit known to temperate climes that may not, somewhere or other, find sure
and prohtable cultivation. ' ^
THE AREA EMBRACED IN THE EVIDENCE.
tT^-A*^""*!"^ ^'''''" *;^e .Ni'^'gara River, the testimony, oral and documentaiy, under
this head, represents the Niagara District, the Lake Erie counties of Norfolk and
Elgin , the peninsula lying between Lakes Erie and St. Clair; the Lake Huron and
Georgian Bay region; the inland counties of the south-western peninsula- the
district of which Toronto maybe regarded as the centre; the range of counties
lymg Jetween Toronto and the eastera boundary line ; the inland nolthern district
around Lindsay and Peterborough; the Ottawa valley from Arnprior to the cTty of
Ottawa; and the new outlying regions of Muskoka and Manitoulin. Jf. will h»
desirable, in the first instance, to recapitulate briefly the statements in which tha
fruit growing capacity of the several sections above named are referred to bv
witnesses, or in reports forwarded to the Commissioners ^
FEUIT i:^ROWING IN ONTARIO.
16
THE FRUITS OF THK NIAGARA DISTRICT.
Mr. Beadle says : —
" I represeat here to-day what is known as the Niagara District. I suppose it embraces
the peninsula between the twc ikes, from Hamilton to the river, but more particularly the
area lying below the mountain. I have had opportunities of familiarizing myself with the
fruit growing capabilities of that district, and the character of the fruits grown in it. . .
" The class of fruits that has particularly claimed my attention is t.hat embracing those
which are readily cultivated in our district, such as apples, plums, pears, cherries, peaches, —
in fact all those that are cultivated in our climate, or all those that flourish in the temperate
zone. In addition to those named I may mention grapes, strawberries, currants, raspberries,
etc."
THE FRTTILS OF THE COUNTIES OF NORFOLK AND ELGIN.
Travelling westward along the Lake Erie cost line, we have from the County of
Norfolk : —
"The fruits cultivated in this courtyare : apples, pears, peaches, cherries, plums, grapes,
currants, strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, quinces, and blackberries. "
And from Elgin : -
"Apples, pears, peaches, cherries, strawberries, grapes, raspberries, blackberries, goose-
berries, and a few plums and currants are the fru'ts cultivated in this district."
THE FRUITS OF KENT, ESSEX AND lAMBTON.
The Counties of Essex and Kent in many parts present the appearance of a vast
fruit garden.
Mr, Mackenzie Ross, whose fruit and nursery grounds are situated in the
Township of Harwich (Kent), just beyond the municipal limits of the Town of
Chatham, says, in his evidence ; —
" The soil and temperature of the County of Kent cannot be surpassed for fruit growing."
And Mr. Westland, from Ridgetown, Township of Howard — also in Kent —
says : —
"We can grow in our township all the fruits that can be grown in a temperate climate."
Mr. Dougall, for twenty-eight years a nurseryman at Windsor, in Essex, says of
the portion of that county skirting the shores of Lake Erie and the Detroit River: —
"That region is adapted to the growth of every kind of fruit that can be grown in the
temperate zone."
Turning northward, the report from Lambton is : —
"Apples, pears, plums, cherries, grapes, currants and melons, are cultivated in this
district. "
THE FRUITS OF THE HURON DISTRICT.
Striking next the coast line of Lake Huron, and turning to the evidence of Mr.
McD. Allan, of Goderich, we find him saying : —
■'In our district we cultivate apples, ))ears, plums, peaches, cherries, grapes, nectarines,
apricots, quinces, currants, raspberries, strawberries and gooseberries. By our district I
mean the County of Huron, though a good deal of what I have to say will apply to parts of
Perth and Bruce. There are about 6,540 acres under orchard ajid garden in the county. In
apples, 4,870 ; plums, 330 ; pears, nearly 90 ; peaches, about 52. We have about 50 acres of
strawberries, nearly 100 of grapes, and about 80 acres of other fsmall fruits The
estimated quantity of apples produced in our county in 1879, was 435,000 barrels."
THE FRUITS OF THE OWEN SOUND DISTRICT.
Then calling on Mr. Roy, the witness from Owt^n Sound, we read : —
"Almost every description of fruit succeeds well in our district. I regard it as the very
best fruit growing secticn. I refer to the district from Sarnia to CoUingwood, along the shore
of Lake Huron and f '.«. •'^-■'•orgian Bay."
THE FRUiaS OF PERTH, MIDDLESEX AND OXFORD COUNTIES.
Coming next to tho western inland counties, we have from Perth : —
" Apples, pears, plums, cherries, grapes, currrr.ts, gooseberries, peaches (a few), straw-
berries and raspberries, are the fruits cultivated in this district. About 75 per cent, are
apples, 10 per cent, plums, and about 3 percent, peaches."
16
ONTAMIO AORICULTURAL COMMISSION.
\
From Middlesex : —
^uk'iT^^ varieties of fruit grown in the above county include all kinda Krown in Ontario
mth the exception of peaches, apricots, nectarines, and quinces TKEbe^n^orof
the most favoured in the Province, the yield is very abundant." ais^^ci Deing one of
From Oxford :—
=^*n ^^''l^l'-P^^^^!'i.Pl"™.*' P?*"' quinces, cherries, small fruits of all kinds and cranes in
amftU quantities, are the fruits that are grown in this locality." ^ ^
THE FBOITS OF THE BRANT DISTRICT.
From the Canty of Brant the testimony of Mr. Charles Arnold, of Paris, is--
THE FRUITS OF THE TORONTO DISTRICT— FAVOURED SECTIONS
Owen Sound, for instance, where the water is on the north sidrthWave L verv ZoT f A
ff^^iV Ti^"-^^.® employed by Mr. Leslie is used of course in a comparative sense
He probably intends to imply, that in the most favourable sections, all fruits oi
nearly all, can be profitably grown, while some other.-ToroSo fV nstanc'e-
a 1 buTfhe ml' I^"^% T% ''%F--^'^^ districts, must be content to cuSate
Prnv^ni L M''^*^ ^^"'*'- -. ^'' ^"ggestion of an imaginary line dividing the
Tb« 1^^ f% ^f "''*' however quite correctly describe the actual geographical facts
The best fruit growing cections have water, not on the north side alone but a';
distinctly peninsular in their character. A glance at the map will show that the
Niagara district is a peninsula washed on its shores by the waters rTpTctivelv of
Lakes Ontario and Erie. The chief fruit lands of south-western Ontarrare found
in a peninsula jutting out between the waters of Lakes Huron and St. Clair and
Lake Erie while the Saugeen peninsula is the popular designation of the famed
o^-it^rrcoSs^^
THE FRUITS OF DURHAM AND NORTHUMBERLAND.
havrS M^' ChaTn ^'? V Tor«"*«'.*I«?g the north shore of Lake Ontario, we
nave, trom Mr Chaplin, of Newcastle, m the County of Durham, and Mr Hinman
X^TX Mr'tSr'^ °' Nor.h„n>berUnd. evidence in erfeo. vi^r staZT,;
THE FRUITS OF THE BAY OF QUINTE DISTRICT.
The Bay of Quinte district-extending from the County of Northumberland
to the eastern extremity of Lake Ontario, and including Prince Ed3 Countv
another peninsula, all but surrounded by' the waters of^hrba' 3 Take and^a
choice ruit growing county-is represented in the evidence by Mr Demnse. who
ha^s W growing farms both in Prince Edward and NorthumberW Mn Dempse^
tJia^ra^^'^ill^oSS^^^
tion. I have been engaged in fruit culture about forty years. Jj^ as aCrnesVforthe l^t
FRUIT ROWING IN ONTARIO.
17
twenty-five years. During that time I have had opportunitiea of becoming tolerably conversant
with the fruits of the districts which I represent. We grow nearly all the small fruits, apples,
pears and plums. W e grow very few cherries, and though there are few peach trees I would
recommend peach ci'Uure there. Apples are the most important fruit crop we have. Prob-
ably about seventy-five per cent, of the whole area under fruit is devoted to apples, perhaps
more, ^ot more than one-third of the apple trees in our district are in full bearing, probably
about one-fourth. Fruit culture is extending rapidly throughout our district. There are a
great many acres devoted to small fruits at the present time, principally strawberries."
THE FRUITS OF BUNDAS, STORMONT, AND GXENQARRY.
Passing eastward from the Bay of Quinte along the north shore of the St. Law-
rence, and away from the mellowing influence of the great lakes, we might expect
to find a very material change in the fruit arrowing capabilities of the country. But
from the United Counties of Dundas, Storniont, and Glengarry, lying within the
angle formed by the St. Lawrence and Ottawa Rivers, in a very full report of their
products we read : —
" The fruits that are cultivated in this district £\re, apples, plums, cherries, grapes, straw-
berries, currants, gooseberries, cranberries, tomatoes, raspberries, blackberries, brambleberries,
andmeloHH." '
The only fruits missed from this very comprehensive list are the peach and the
pear. The former, except perhaps in Prince Edward County, can hardly be said to
be cultivated anywhere, in marketable quantities, on fhe northern side of Lake
Ontario's waters. And of the pear we read further on : —
"Pears can be successfully cultivated to a limited extent. They have been cultivated as
far east as Montreal ; can be grown in sheltered situations on a dry subsoil, of excellent
quality, but on a limited scale."
THE FRUIT8 OP THE OTTAWA DISTRICT.
Following the course of the Ottawa River, wo have from Mr. Bucke, at the City
of Ottawa, the following evidence : —
'' We cultivate a few varieties of apples, raspberries, strawberries, and gooseberries, and
small fruits generally, including grapes, are also cultivated."
But the strength and weakness, in relation to fruit growing, of this particular
district, will be more apparent when the cultivation of the several fruits come to be
discussed.
* THE FRUITS OF RENFREW COUNTY.
At Amprior— still on the Ottawa, and where the most northerly point in eastern
Ontario, from which evidence has been taken, is reached— the Renfrew Fruit and
Floral Company are engaged in a gallant, and so far encouraging, enterprise. The
measure of their success can only be properly appreciated by following up their
operations in detail. But Mr. Usborne, their manager, is able to mention as free
from all danger from climatic vicissitudes, some four or five varieties of apples, and
to speak favourably of his progress with two or three descriptions of pears, with
grapes, and with small fruits.
THE FRUITS OF THE LINDSAY DISTRICT.
Once more striking west we complete the circuit at the inland Town of Lindsay
in Victoria, " where," says Mr. Bcall : —
"The fruits cultivated are : apples, pears, plums, strawberries, raspberries, red, white, and
black currants, gooseberries, and grapes. "
THE FRUITS OF MUSKOKA AND MANITOULIN.
Finally we have reports from Commissioners visiting the new districts of Mus-
koka and the Island of Manitoulin.
With re.°.poct to Muskoka the three visiting Commissioners say :—
'_' With the exception of the grape the smaller fruits are indigenous to the District, all the
berries abound in the woods, and the wild plum is also very plentiful, being cultivated by the
settlers, and yielding a large crop of fruit valuable for economical purposes. In face of the
18
ONTARIO AOETCULTURAL COMMISSION.
i
yS"?a"trrv rid Sa the cultivation of berries is small ; but the strawberry where planted,
alourable.' "' *'*''^^ ^^"™' '' °''"''°' ^« '1°"''*«'» that the conditions are
appb^To firnmnL*" *^^«"f f^^^^^ Kf^^t^ *"d fruiting of some hardy varieties of
apple, to t,lie prolific yield of the crab, and to the successful efforts to s^row and
ripen grapes of the cultivated varieties. ^ ^
nof.^iS'' ^'•"it,«'-«^"ig capacity of the Island of Manitoulin. Mr. Saunders, after
well-X^SX^S: :;£i^a: and nu.n:?^S- --= iS^H
KAPID PHOGRESS Oi' FRUIT INDUSTRY.
braTJb^fTn f *^ "^ ■*'' ^hi'=J\\We. measure of success has been achieved in this
as a fnnf , vnd ^ ^^ '" ^ powerful testimony to the natural advantages of the Province
suiJs o? th« in '"^ """"*'^- ^^'"^^ cultivation is necessarily among the later pur?
suits of the settler in a new region. Where every foot of ground has to be cle-ired
li e S'itTiuxuH 7 ""' ""'''7 '^"-^^"l^ '^^^ '^'^^ ^"' ''"^ the fitt iLe s ^ro
me, not its luxuries, or quasi-luxuries, that have to be thou-'ht of Manv vearn
and an orchard, when planted, does not give fruit in a day. The Province of
Menare iTvit' wEr"*'*"' '.' ^PPi^"" ^^"'^^ ^« ^^^^ ""^ -* niiety years old
milf *1 F ]l^° '''^'^ remember, when, with the exception of a scattered settle-
ment here and there, nearly the whole Province was an unbroken forest and " is
FRUIT growers' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.
The Fruit Growers' Association of Ontario was organized in 1859, for the purpose
a SaServT*^^^^^^^^ fruit culture in the Province, and bringing togeC
f.L« .f • / I ^^ ■ *^?f^ engaged in this important branch of industry for the pur-
he firt'erortTtfi SoH r^' -d profiting by each other's experieLe In S
f!!lr f ^r A ^^ Society was published, containing statistics on fruit culture
to succeed Tn b^ r/''7'"'J*^'^'' '^'"'^"^^ ^^ ^ ^^'' °^ ^^'"^^ which hac b en Sund
to succeed m the different sections reported on. No further effort in thi* dirPpHnn
undertt ActT* °' '"/'^ "'^^^ \'''' "^^^" '''' Association became incorp^^^^^^^^
S of SsIS frn Jfr'' K,^ .-,'riculture, and was then entitled to receive aVeariy
grant of ^350 from the public funds. From this date the activity and usefulness of
aU ntToT b "r' F'^^tlyj'^^reased. and its membership largely augment from
Sir f A ^-^ Province, and it has ever since made a yearly report to the Commit
on fr,n? if •'"^*"'^'- f '^' work embodying much useful and jLctical infornSon
report^' fn Iddllion 'f ' .?P°'*' have formed a part of the Commissioner's annua"
report. In addition to the compilation of this most valuable ivnnual document n
BosJon^Tnf/^''l ^''*^"'^^« competitive international exhibit of fruits took place in
f«flTi ^ .1-' "^^^"^ ^H^ Association made an exhibit of fruits from Ontario which
meda nib' P^^I'l*^ l^f^'^ United States, and Ontario was awarded four S^er
medals, one bronze medal, and one hundred and twenty-five dollars in money whUe
«ilpt . T f^^ f^»'* ^'•^^"'g resources of the Province were wideband exten!
iSS^t Tb«'f -^'"^ ""J \l *^'" ^''''^ throughout the North American conthient In
1876, at the time of the great Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia the Fruit
Growers' Association again rendered good s«rvin« ta th« ProXrc Bv fhlinf " f
Madeinht'? ''^".'b -^---l^-' ^ -"tinuous fruit^e'xhS was miin':inad in
Philadelphia during the entire season, giving the visitors from all parts of the world
FRUIT CULTURE— PROGBESS OF FRUIT INDUSTRY.
19
an opportunity of examining our fruit products. On this o«;ca8ion fiftoen medals
and awards were given to Ontario fruit, and these evidences o*' Cio favoOrable
character of our climate were commented on the world over, greatly to the advan-
tage of our Province. The Association having, within the past vear, taken up the
department of forestry also, a still wider si)here of usefulness is open to it. To its
officers, and especially to its efficient Secretary, Mr. D. W. Beadle, who has held
that office for eighteen years, great credit is due, and to their zeal in the interests
of fruit growing we are largely indebted for the present advanced condition of fruit
culture in Ontario.
THE SOIL— THE CLIMATE— INDIGENOUS FRUITS.
Yet this useful and most meritorious body of fruit culturists have only been
assisting and giving effect to the inherent fruit producing vigour and sympathy of
the 8<nl and climate of a country to which nearly every fruit in its wild state is
indigenous. The apple, tlm plum, the cherry, all the nuts and the small fruits, are
familiar objects to every oufi acquainted with our woodlands. It is from the native
Fox and Frost grapes intermingled, and crossed with the European wine grapes, we
have obtained the splendid variety of dessert and wine grapes we are now able to
display. In one part of the Province, and only one— the District of Muskoka
the wild vine known to be absent.
IB
SUCCESS OF NON-INDIGENOUS FRUITS.
The ameliorating influence of the great lakes, the abundant but not too con-
tinuous rainfall, and the ample amount of sunshine, and corresponding heat, com-
bine, not only to favour the growth of hardy fruits, but also to produce, without
artificial assistance or protection, such fruits as the pear, the peach, the apricot, and
nectarine, for marketable purposes, and, in the case of the two first named fruits,
on the largest scale. In no country in the world does the pear attain greater per-
fection, and while the peach in the mild, but less certain, climate of Great Britain
is a luxury, the very flavour of which is hardly known to the mass of the people, in
Canada the humblest day labourer can purchase this luscious fruit by the basketful.
The fruit growing capabilities of Ontario will be fully established when set forth in
detail by the witnesses whose evidence is under review.
STATISTICS OP FRUIT CULTURE.
They would be established with absolute exactness if any machinery existed for
collecting accurate statistics of the fruit products of Canada. The attention of the
Fruit Growers' Association has been for some time directed to this subject,* and it
is satisfactory to observe, from the forms for the census returns which have been
published, that the efforts of the Association have been to a large extent successful,
so far as the forthcoming census is concerned. Mr. Beadle says : —
"I think no attempt has been made in taking the census to obtain statistics of the
quantity of fruit produced. My impression is that no information is sought of the area of
land under fruit culture. The Fruit Growers' Association have several times called the
attention of the Dominion Government to the importance of obtaining these statistics. The
President of our Association reported at a meeting held since the last exhibition in Ottawa,
that he had had an interview with the Minister of Agriculture on the subject, and that he had
assured him that steps would be taken towards securing such statistics in the next census
enumeration. Though a decennial return would be of some value, it would be bettei«») have
them more frequently, and they would not be quite satisfactory unless they were made yearly.
I think such statistics could be obtained, without much trouble or expense, by the officers of
municipalities in taking the assessment. They could obtain the information if suitable
questions were inserted in the blanks,"
It needs no argument to show the correctness of Mr. Beadle's opinion as to the
limited value of a decennial return, which, as past experience has proved, does not
reach the eye of the public until three or four ■"•ears after the enumer.'vtors have paid
their visits. At the present time, probably, fully one-half of the orchard area' of
Ontario, or even more, is filled with voung trees, a proportion of which are coming
every year into bearing, and nearly the whole of which will have fruited before the
90
ONTARIO AQEICULTURAL COMMISSION.
conauB /returns, under this head for iaai u ,.
are aw4re that tho whole question of K^iu^^jTyT'"^- , '^'^" Connnissioners
mcludl fruits, has been lon^ recrlilif ■ *'*'*'*>8tic8, wliich would of course
earne^ly express their llrof'Svl^Kr*^ '" ^°'"''"'' ""^ cannS t o
brancH of .dustr, the, are now rj:^^^:^ - --ction with the
THE CULTIVATION OF THE APPLE
'^f^^^^'ot^:^^::^ ^y/ar the most largely grown
lat.ng to the cultivation TZ^rZu The annl''' 1*'"*^ *° '^^ «-iden?e S?
nesses whose oral or written statements hav«^h "^^^''^d *« by the several wit-
class^fied under the general heads'^ sri'^Fallrnd^Ter ^Si^ /l"^^-^"«'
Red Astrachan.
White Astrachan.
;Ciarly Harvest.
Tetofsky.
Keswick Codlin.
Duchess of Oldenburg,
trravenstein.
Cco^uga Red Streak,
Twenty-Ounce,
ot. Lawrence,
^all Pippin.
Holland Pipji
Alexander.
Colvert
or
I>m.
Northern Spy.
iialdwin, •
Rhode Island Greening,
golden Russet.
Swayzie Pomme Grise.
Montreal Pomme Grise.
:^8opu8 Spitzenberg.
Koxbury Russet.
Fameuse (or Snow Apple).
Kmg of Tomkins County.
Newtown Pippin.
-Kibston Pippin,
Peck's Pleasant.
Grimes' Golden.
SUMMER APPLES.
Early Joe.
Gokfen Sweet
Sweet Bough.
Benoni.
Summer Rose.
Fourteen in all,
FALL APPLES.
Hawley.
Seek-no-Further.
Cox's Orange Pippin.
Maiden'i Blush.
Fall Orange.
Black Detroit.
Taylor Filh.
Porter.
Autumn Strawberry.
Twenty-six in all.
WINTER APPLES.
Peach Apple.
Cranberry Pippin.
iiady Apple.
Norton's Melon.
American Pippin.
Dominie.
Belmont.
Talman's Sweet.
Rambo.
Yellow Bellflower.
Wealthy.
Jonathan.
Ontario.
Dora.
Ella.
Forty-four in all.
Early Strawberry.
Pomme Royal.
Indian Rare Ripe.
Summer Pearmain.
Maitland.
Fall Jenneting.
Blenheim Orange.
Sherwood's Favourite,
oops of Wine,
Kentish Fillbasket.
Gatineau Belle.
Hawthorn den.
Ohio Nonpareil.
Arnold's Beauty.
Red Canada.
Red Detroit.
Wallbridge.
Blenheim Orange.
Ben Davis.
Swaar.
Bourassa.
Peewaukee.
Mann Apple.
Freckled Mollie.
Prenyea.
Bachelor (or King of Ap-
pies). *^
Brockville Beauty.
A8«*fce U«f «f ^/°^^^\<^^^^^0«UE-EIGHTY-FOUR VARIETIES.
fall, and fort;;o;r':inteirari Svtut'"' V'^'^'T ^ -' t-nty-
pretty dearly defining the public estSonoTTb'^'' -^^^ difference in number
the several classes. It is qS l/siSi I the value, in an economical sense of
the Commissioners to inst,rte anfoS j'"'""^^''' *¥*' ^^^« ^* ^^thin the power of
mentioned, they might be found to ho^iP'''"i'°'? ^^*^^«" «0"^« few of the apples
or accidentally^attaSed to them but this'ZS"'*'' T^'f ^^'''''' names locaUy
least known sorts. On the other Lnd Exhaust! ve^a^^tb"-^ '" ""' ?' '^"^ "^ *^«
Commissioners are aware of the exiSorofTot a fS^ i-^Tes^'^'^^' ^'' ''''"' *^«
Tctcixcd to hy any of the witnesses. '-Pr^es tnat nave not been
CULTIVATION OF THE APPLE.
31
DISORKPANCIBS IN CLAHHIFICATION.
Occasional difflcultios occur in the clasaiKcation, the torins summer and fall, or
fall and winter, being applied by different persons to the same apples. This arises
probably, in some instances, from a disagreement as to the precise meaning of the
terms used, but also from the wide difference of climate in the large territory
covered, affecting both the maturity and the constitution and, consequently, the
keeping properties of the same fruits, either favourably or otherwise. In one or
two instances, the Duchess of Oldenburg, almost universally termed a fall apple, is
mentioned as a summer »fuit. The Fameuse (or Snow apple) occupies a more
debatable position, for it is spoken of by some excellent authorities— including
Mr. Leslie of Toronto — as a fall apple, and so appears in his catalogue. But Mr.
Beadle says ; " Taking the Province as a whole, I class the Snow apple as a winter
apple." And, in the district where the Fameuse attains the highest excellence —
the St. Lawrence counties — it is regarded as a winter apple, and alluded to in the
reports from that section as one of the best winter keeping varieties. The few
other differences in classiiication are not of sufticient importance to require par-
ticular reference.
COMPARATIVE HARDINESS OF VARIETIES.
The first (luestion that presents itself naturally is, — What is the comparative
hardinedH of the different applos constituting either class, or in what parts of the
Province are particular apples found to be most successful ? We shall endeavour,
from the evidence before us, to supply an answer to this inquiry.
APPLE CULTURE IN THE OTTAWA VALLEY.
It is evident that the least favourable situations from which information has
been collected — leaving out for the moment the new regions of Muskoka and Mani-
toulin — are Ottawa and Arnprior, the latter, as regards apple culture, being rather
the more favoured of the two.
Mr. Bucke, of Ottawa, gives the Red Astrachan as the one summer apple in
the cultivation of which some success has been attained, the Alexander and
Duchess of Oldenburg as fall sorts, and Talman's Sweet, as a winter apple grown
in the district. Of the three first named he says : —
"The Red Astrachan, the Duchess of Oldenburg and the Alexander appear to bo the
hardiest ; but I do not think you could raise an orchard of them. . . , The Hon. R. W.
Scott has tried apple growing. He grows the Red Astrachan and the Duchess of Oldenburg
on his farm about three miles out of the city. He plants evergreens along with the trees, and
I think they protect them. The land is on a iniestone bed, and his experience has been
measurably successful. Both Mr. Haycock and Mr. Keefer have been unsuccessful."
Mr. Bucke also mentions a local seedling known as the Gatineau Belle as "not
a first-class fruit but very hardy, and ripening in September."
At Arnprior, on the Ottawa River, Mr. Usbourne of the Waba Nurseries, the
property of the Renfrew Fruit and Floral Company, already mentioned, has pro-
ceeded in a very systematic manner to test the apple growing capacity of that
region. He says : —
"Five years ago I imported ten of each of several different varieties of apple tree, and
put them out in nursery rows to see how they would stand the winter. They were put out in
the spring. The following spring, some varieties were all alive, and all the rest died. Thir-
teen varieties out of fifty lived. These were the Red Astrachan, White Astrachan, Tetofsky,
Sops of Wine, Duchess of Oldenburg, Fameuse, Keswick Codlin, Twenty-Ounce, English
Russet, Pomme Grise, Peach Apple, Talman's Sweet, and the Wallbridge. We propagated
these pretty largely. I have since discarded the Keswick Codlin, Sops of Wine, and Tahnan, as
apples subject to be winter killed. They don't die, but are killed back. Out of all the sorts,
the only varieties never injured are the White Astrachan, Tetofsky, the Duchess of Olden-
burg, and the Peach Apple. We have thus established the fact that these are the sorts that
will stand this climate. These four sorts have never suffered. These will in future be pro-
pagated largely. Crabs all do well. We have fruited the Tetofsky, a sweet summer apple of
a small size. The Duchess, with us, ripens early in September. The White Astrachan we
rirt-v6 not fruitect n'ttnci^ntiy to s^y einyuhing Cft. lus j. ^&<sii xxpplc W6 have not fruited. The
fruit of the Duchess and the Tetofskjy has been very fine, so that, both in the character of
the fruit and in hardiness, these trees fully sustain their reputation."
99
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
The Tillman's Swoot, inentionod by Mr. Bucko aa i/rnwn nlMw».,„r, * i i
extent is „..t indioatecl-at Ottawa Cit/ i. thuTiulod ..uTaT A7,n " '\t I od
Astrachan, whdo c.ltivatod, duen nut appear altogether t.roHcano winter kill ncr
Of summer apph,«, the White Astrachan (only once morr„Ln^Fo„e^ " n the evT
donee), and the Tetofsky appear to he climate-proof, and theZcCrif Ohltnbur.
and Poach Apple are shown to be ondurinff varieti«H Th.. Tr?* X / *
CayuKa Rod ^troak) of fall sorts, and the Pe Jh ADnle ih^LJ,r\l '"n ^"'
(calle.1 elsewhore thf Montreal P.lmme Griso ami t?ery w3l known nJZlrX
SSw— ?"''^""'' ^^' Wallbridgo, of winter appIo8,^if To sXaCl^fSstiS
dunatu influences, are also, apparently, worth Vulti^ating. ]vJr Usbourne SS
fruite.?' ^*'" """^ "^"^ """' '•" "''"«"•"• "* I*"""*" "I'Plo" «>•» trial; they have not yet
APFIB OirtTURB IN VICTORIA AND PETERBOEOUOH.
At Lindsay, again, where the conditions of northern inland cultivation am ,nnr^
«„f 1'^® l"*^® ,*^®r ^^^'^ Astrachan, the Summer Rose and the Tetofskv Th« !«.«* n^mo^ i.
>,;» ?.^ r^' """u*^ "^/°'''? ^^''^ *^'« ^*- Lawrence and Alexander do very well
his preference being for the St. Lawrence, while he mentions the Fa 1 PiLrli
largely and profitably grown in the neighbourhood of Peterboro' Ho add^ -^I "
part of the agriculturist who contemplates apple culture. The SerTs the exis
tence of a very large number of excellent seedlings which Mr. Beal thinks ''would
compare with many of the grafted kinds " "unKs wouia
Mr. Beall especially draws attention to these, because, he says, "some of the
standard varieties are too tender for our district "
T?!,^"^ he instances, in this connection, the" Early Harvest (summer) and the
Rhode Island Greening and the Spitzenberg (winter) apples. NrnotSg Ts more
it"n"his evidence .- ^^'^^^"^^*^-*^«- -"«* ^e froni tSseed. As £ LeS puts
treerXTu^"^ ^e tS^rS^l^S^I^)^ :::r^ 7j^\.-^«.ard to apple
will not thrive. Mere grafting or grow1ng?n any^S locaHtfl ^ , t'^lsi^'^ hL^^^^^^
at all. If you want to raise trees for a northern climate wh« L u ^"y.^H^I^
growth at all, it must be done through the3 If the Te'elu '^nwn'Vv, '^^''yM'^ m^ ^^^"
through and livo, and the more tender ones willgive way." " '°''°' *^' ^^'"^'^'"^ ^'" «=°°^«
The seedlings alluded to by Mr. Beall are not named. Like those other seed
Imgs n.entioned in the report from the United Counties of StormonrDuudas and
Glengarry, they may, by some exceptionally severe weather be swep ou of 'ex?s
tence Ui),e.. -altiplied and distributed, whereas, if carefully cultivated it 2 nS«'
po8«,b|c tn-, '.suR .aight be of great public benefit. The CommTs Lners caTno?
^?^J::':'^\.''^^^^^%^^ intelligent a fruit grower as Mr fiLfl^n!
cSi^ceia.-.; oi.u,rgu lumseii with the destinies of this hopefiil crop of new varieties
gh to what
The Rod
itor-killinx.
in the ovi-
Oldonburg
-Oimco (or
immo Grise
<l gonorally
of rosiating
}ourne also
lave not yet
n aro more
lespoctablo
,s those of
s, alluding
Ht named Is
it becomes
very well,
Pippin as
ds: —
le Northern
Iden RnsHet
in the other
practically
orences in
B apples —
its, on the
, the exis-
8 "would
ne of the
I and the
ig is more
ealje puts
i to apple
sultiva.ii.n
any ettect
lie of their
' will come
her seed-
idas, and
; of exis-
; is quite
•s cannot
eall will
itities.
CULTIVATION OF THE APPLE.
APPLB CULTURB IN THE UIVEH COUNTIBH.
23
Tlio stfttoniont from the United Counties of Dundus, Stormont and Olengarry,
respecting the loss by a storm of unusual violence, is as follows :—
"There were nnlte a nnuiber of good Bearlling appleii, exceedingly valuable, oultivatod in
this district up to March, 18H3, whim they were lout by a thaw aiid'foUowing cold snap. If
they were looked up, there should be some good ones Htill exiHting. The Hoil and climate here
are very favourable to th« production of good new varietieH, if experimontH were made. Uno
of thoHe lout in 180.> wan an autumn apple of the size of the Golden KuMset (American), and a
perfect ajjple in Mhape, textiire, colour of tledh and skin, arouia, etc. Fifty per cent, or up-
wanlH of the no-called standard varieties have proved too tender for our district, but a good
deal depends upon location, soil, etc. It is important to get young trees from northern nurse-
ries. A variety from a Montreal nursery will tlirive here when the same variety from Koohes-
ter would not."
The calamity referred to was evidently one of very exceptional severity, for the
seedlings had not only weathered many winters and matured their growth, but had
fruited and attained a high place in public estimation, llieir history indicates an
apple growing cainicity in the district in advance of that already attained.
Of sunnuer apples, the three niost profitable and, in that aunse, it may bo assumed,
hardy varieties, are the Red Astiachan, Early Harvest, and Tetofsky.
Of fall apples, the most profitable to the growers aro the St. Lawrence, Duchess
of Oldenburg, and Alexander, classed as follows :-
... .the Alexander ' very hardy ; ' th«'
St. Lawrnnce
"The Duchess ' very hardy and productive ; ' the Alexander ' very hardy ; '
T"""^""'* ' less hardy but does well.'"
Of winter apples, the list is a long one, and includes the Fameuse, Swayzie
Pommo Grise, Talman's Sweet, American Golden Russet, Red Canada, Spitzen-
berg, Northern Spy, and Yellow Pippin. The most successful are the Fameuse,
Tahnan's Sweet, Swayzie Pomme Oriso, and American Golden Russet, while to
the latter, as one of the most profitable apples, is added the Brockville Beauty,
an apple that appears in evidence at this point only.
If we regard the region east and north of the Bay of Quinte district as being the
least favourable portion of the Province for fruit culture, we have enough evidence
already to show not merely what apples may be successfully cultivated there, but
that the industry is capable in those sections of considerable development. The
eflforts making at Arnprior and Ottawa, and the remark in the report from the
United counties that "not one-fourth of the fruit trees are in full bearing "—show-
ing as it does a very large amount of recent attention to fruit culture— prove that
the peoplf of these districts are intelligently alive to the opportunities open to them.
THE HARDIEST APPLES.
It may be interesting now to turn to some of the evidence bearing on the subject
of apple hardiness generally, in order to show what more may be done, in tliis
directir)n, in places where the careful selection of hardy varieties is the first essen-
tial to success.
Mr. Beadle says : —
"We are gradually getting hold of the apples which can be grown at the north with suc-
ce?9- The Duchess of Oldenburg will grow where any ajjple will grow, and as far north as
this Province extends. It is one of the varieties which I would recommend settlers in the
northern part of the Province to try. Ben Davis will not grow as far north as the Duchess of
Oldenburg, but will thrive a good way north, but in the coldest sections of the Province I
would recommend the Duchess of Oldenburg, the Wealthy, the Peewaukee, and, possibly, the
Mann Apple. The Duchess of Oldenburg is a fall apple ; the Wealthy is a winter apple
and 80 is the Peewaukee. So far as we have got the varieties it would be chiefly the fali
apples which I would recommend for the climate. The lied Astrachan will grow well up
towards the limit we have been speaking of. The Tetofsky is a tart apple, a long way behind
the Duchess of Oldenburg, and in no way more hardy. If I were going to plant trees for
cider I would plant the Tetofsky, as it abounds in juice."
We have here several apples of which no mention is made by the witnesses pre-
viously quoted in eoruiuctiuii with the northern and most easterly districts. The
first of these is the Ben Davis, only second apparently in Mr. Beadle's estimation
24
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
to the hardy Duchess of Oldenburg, which " will stow wIiapa an,r o^„i -n
and as far north as the Province extends." ^ ^ ^^^^^ "^'^ ^row,
"The Ben Davi«,'' says Mr. Beadle, " will thrive a good way north "
Mr. D mpsey, m his evidence, also refers to the Ben Davis.^ He says •-
Belleville it brings IhlTA'pTe oranv'rrr„'^!l'°"«.^.'!li«"- ?or retailing.in
JNorthern Spy as a counter apple."
.>... .»r„u.«,ui« iiuauons ana soil. For retailinir. in
any apple we have. Grocers prefer them to the
The Ben Davis would, from these joint testimonials, appear to deservA fn !,«
more extensively cult vated, where the soil and locality is coErativ^^^^
especially where hardiness is an essential to success Excent iV. f hi ™S7 .1 '
very extensively in Minnesota, in fact the people have gone almost wild ovpI Sf ^1^^^^
think it would be a valuable aoole for exnortfitinn Tf ,.r^;,i^ u- 2 V ". °^^^ '*• ^ hardly
settlers, on account c' " .rbeaS so soonS beTne sJ hardi °W/ ^' •'^^^^nt^KlouB to new
of Oldenburg would be the best IppleTforThe courts ofthe countr?"'*^ ""'^ '^' ^""'^^^^
, .^''•^^%^^^!^*h^o"ly witness who, in his evidence, alludes to the Peewaukee •
but m Mr. Leslie's catalogue it is described as— eewauKee ,
" A seedling of the Duchess of Oldenburg, from the North.Wp«t wV,<>^„ a- •
as good in quality and a good keeper. Tree^Wod^ctiveSlSy!*' Berembe'r to nTrT'' '"^
The Mann apple IS mentioned by Mr. Morris as one of the most esteempd of
winter varieties in his district. esteemed of
THE NORTH SHORE OF LAKE ONTARIO.
Leaving behind us the regions where something like a critical selection is neces
sary to protect the apple grower from loss, we may glance for a momen at wha;
may be regarded perhaps as the medium or averagl section of t^ Provrnce in
relation to apple culture, unless indeed Prince Edward County should beTxcented
as a district scarcely second to the most favoured. The north shore of J ak^
On W from Toronto to the eastern end of the Bay of Quinte, has been well rent
sented before the Commissioners. And it may be pretty safely assumed that such
eminent professional culturists as Mr. Leslie of Toronto, Mr. ChaplinTNewca^Ue
Mr. Hmman of Grafton, and Mr. Dempsey of Prince EdUd, have not been waS
in any efforts to attain m apple cultivation the largest possible measure of ruccess
It IS evident at the same time that, to achieve absolute success in this part of the
Province, considerable care m the choice of sites may be necessary. A comparativelv
hardy apple may lose its reputation by injudicious placing, and, a second rate fruit
in this sense, be exalted to undeserved honour by the ^ood iudcment of it« nltnl
Mr. Dempsey after naming the Red Astrachan and Ea'-rlyXvSas thVpr^^^^^^^^^^
summer varieties, and paying the invariable tribute of respect to the Duchess of
Oldenburg as a hardy fall apple, goes on to say :— -^ucness or
"The St. Lawrence (fall apple) is alsrt prnfif.ab'A H'ith «" fhn--r-'- • 't -i
SL-' '°°' °"^''^^'^ *'° «ravenstein(fa'll apple) v:i?J'much?^°t"e trerisTncfined^b:
esteemed of
CULTIVATION OF THE APPLE.
He then refers to the winter sorts as follows :—
25
we can grow any variety of winter aoole ZaJn L/k ^ of so Is that in a favourable locality
the BalTlwin and the ^reenTnrwhHe perhaoT t'hev m^vV'"'* ^''''''^'' ^^" ^"'^ "«* P>*»«
orchard a mile away. Judging brmv ^ownTxci^L^.L^K^''""'''" ""'f^^lfuJly i" another
with the Ben Davis as a market a^PleTf/rXn™' 7^ ^"''^r can compare
retailing in Belleville, it brings the Sek nrice o^ anv ^.^^r'""*^'" ^'"'^*>"« *"^ ««"• ^O'
to the Northern Spy as a counter aD.^eTLvnHLt^ ifP?^ t "^^ ''*^^- ^'""''^''^ P'-^'fer them
and even frr markS they are the be t if JroLX iTowJ'' Vhfv f." • ''* '' *^^ Red Canada,
course we have some localities which are nTfavonrphl^f" ,^-^ ^'^"u''^ * 7'^""' »"''' an^ «'
liable to vary in size, and to spot The SlSn KuW l^''^/"'^'*'' f'^ '" *^««« ^l^^^ *™
and we don't find it profitable^ In fa vouraUe localif L h!1 r"i/"''^^'^. ^^''^ ^«" ^'^h us,
well. The Col vert, if properly handler^sLnrotitaSn^^^^ ^ Greening succeed
winter varieties. It *.hould be nicked earl v ,W™ ^^^' *^""^^ '* .^°.«« °"* belong to the
. picked, it is one of the most profitable apX or shinrnT/ Z^^ ^^'" '^ '? "^"'^^ ^'•««» = '^ ««
prices We grow a cc.nsideraWe nun^ber^of Snorapff^^^^^ commands fancy
localities, and perhaps forty rods away it is a failnr^ t".«,,m j* flourishing in some
this peculiarity. We have'no t.e thJt iV^rX^rdy, b'uTthe f"ruiris"uabTeno"spo*f.^. ""^^ ^*
NORTHUMBRIAN SEEDLINGS.
It would be a source of much gratification if these tnntrb nU r.o+^' u
the;;il?a" fafrtLr^t^V^ai^lt (S - I have not given
hairiest varieties in the older <.rchar.ls though we havpbp'L.a'^^^-^ ^T^ P''"^^'^ t° be the
of Tomkins County and the Holkni Pip in The North rns'n'''-^ ""^^^f' '"",'^ *" ^^^ ^ing
for general j.urposes. The fruit of the Baldwin is good bS thp t?Z. H ''"^ "! *;"'' ^/'^ ^^"^^'-^^
very well. It and the Northern Spy are most inTindVor shii^^^^^^^^^^ ^'""'^ *^^ """"^'^
T 1 * ;^'' ''^^■"'V^=°' in this particular .section the preference is thus siven +n +l,o -Ri j
early°4;L'"° '^'^ '^"™*''"' ■"" ''''-" " '» P'"'»Wy ">. hardiest „f the ver,
Of the fall varieties he commends especially for hardinps.. f1,« n„„i r /^i ,
por;;.;:^:rtt"pri:Se?;.?fl1o^?at ^^^ -o^* favoured
the Rambo may also 'be clatsed wS tt"^ v^rLt^^^^^
Tomkins Cunty are hardier. The bWzirPonlme Owt Am •^"'■'J?^'■? ^^P7 *"^' ^inj? of
low Bellflower are very hardy. The'Sto^^Tn tTsiTrTrrmSm." ""^^ ^"' ^^^-
With stil! greater precision he says :—
the'S:^S^*o;rrS you mUt"adJi°?o"tt'S theT*' .^'^^ fl^'^'^ ^."-"^ «"-• and
well at an^l about Montreal." ^ ^ '"* ^^'^ Montreal Pomme Grise, which doe«
8
I
26
ONTAhlO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
The Montreal Pomme Gme is, it will be recollected, in the list of thirteen sur-
vivors out of fifty tested at Arnprior and referred to by Mr. U«bome, as having,
in consequence been propagated largely. The Swayzie Pomme Grise, although an
apple of Canadian origin, comes from the warm region of Niagara. But while a
most delicious fruit, the best dessert apple in the world," as Mr. Leslie calls it. a
most prohfac bearer and the "highest priced apple ever shipped," it is also " one of
the v.vry hardiest. ' Mr. Leslie says of it :—
which'wP S? nVrnlnvf ^^'•y hardiest, and in view of the demand for the fruit, it is one to
Which we might turn with a good prospect of success. It is not largely cultivated at present •
iSkf cLadilrtr/eTn f ' ^""^f 1'"'.!^ ^'' ""f. »'?* '"*'• general cultivation for someTa^oS;
It 18 a Canadian tree, a native of the Niagara district, and is cultivated to some extent there."
THE WESTERN COUNTIES.
Westward from Toronto we are generally free from the unfavourable conditions,
using the term in a comparative sense, that may affect the fruit grower to the east
of the capital of the Province. It may be laid down as a broad general rule that,
whatever apple will grow at the east or north of Toronto, will grow in the westeni
or southwestern counties, although in the latter there are occasional situations where
prudence in the selection of trees must be exercised. We shall now speak there-
fore of the relative hardiness of the several varieties, on the supposition that they
meet in the western half of the Province on a common level, and without reference
to their adaptability for successful cultivation or otherwise in the north or east.
SUMMER VARIETIES. *
Of the summer varieties, the Red Astrachan, the Early Harvest, the Tetofsky,
and the Keswick Oodlin are, with the exception of the White Astrachan, which is
but once mentioned, the only apples the hardiness of which is specially referred to
and that in connection with the colder sections of the Province only. There is no
evidence to show, however, that, under ordinary circumstances, the eicrht or nine
other summer sorts would not be equally safe from misadventure.
FALL VARIETIES.
In regard to the fall apples, the choice is a little more marked. From Bruce
the report 18 most favourable t.. the Duchess of Oldenburg, the Gravenstein, Alex-
ander, Maiden s Blush and Col vert. In the Niagara district Mr. Beadle can " make
no distinction in regard to hardiness. "
In Elgin, for hardiness and productiveness combined, the award is given to the
Ohio Nonpareil, Gravenstein, Bellflower, and Pippins. In Kent, Mr. Westland
classes as equally hardy the Cayuga Redstreak, the St. Lawrence, the Seek-no-
Further, and the Fall Pippm. In the same county Mr. Cady "does not think
there IS much difference, but gives the preference, on the whole, to the Rambo
and the tet. Lawrence, the first named, however, being classed in this report as a
Winter ftpplG,
c fl^A^^Z ''^P^f^ from Norfolk, the preference for hardiness is given to the Duchess
of Oldenburg, the Maiden s Blush and Gravenstein. It is probable that in western
Ontario the test of hardiness is hardly severe enough to affect seriously the credit
of any of the fall varieties.
WINTER VARIETIES.
In winter apples, the fruit-growers appear to be more critical ;. and the question
of hardiness comes more conspicuously to the front. Of the forty-four varieties on
tlie list, allusion has already been made to the Swayzie Pomme Grise, the Montreal
Pomme Giise, the Fameusc, Grimes' G.-lden, the Wallbridtre, the Brockville Beauty
the Peach apple tlie Ben Davis, the Peewaukee, and the Mann, in terms which
render further reference to their hardiness quite unnecessary. To the hardiness of
the Jonathan, Badielor, American Pippin, Blenham Orange, Red Detroit, Peck's
Pleasant, Newtown^Pippin, Cranberry Pippin, Lady Apple, and the five or six new
^??L 'xT^*\u^'^' J^"''^"^';"''''' '^ '"^'^® ^" *^^^ evidence. To the hardiness or otherwise
of the Northern Spy, the Baldwin, the Golden Russet, the Rhode Island Greening
CULTIVATION OF THE APPm, ^
the Roxbury Russet, the Wagener, the Talman's Sweet, Yellow Bellflower Belnonf
reliaSe^'^H; ^^ys ^' ' "The^v fr^^^ f'^^T '""^ f^^'l^hode Island Greening not
m! P A f^ '~ur .y. ^^^ *®"^^'' ""l'^88 worked on other trees."
Mr. Hagaman, at Oakville, reports :—
woZ'nd S^oSillfird ?n*the7op:.'''' " *'^ ""^'^ ' '""^ ^^''^'^ -* - I'^'^thy in the
Tw tJ • 1 U ^'Z •„ ^"^ Rhode Island Green ng never winter-kills with ii« "
.iJtL"::^:?'""""' "- *'«- County, a„^d who. orSaTi^l^riugh
i. .i,7&ftl.nd G,e?„f„l. ■?•' """■ "■ '* "" ''•""""• ^"y-
The next best apple
a. a*d?ilYatTaf J?£.f Jrar^Sr-" ""' '^"»' '''• °"--" ---
In regard to hardines„, Mr. Roy of Owen Sound, says •—
We"tiouTht StVti^LTh^el&S^^atti^^^^^^ LT ^slU *°%*?"^^^ ^^^ "'^^ ^'^*-*-
or eight years old, I find it to be very h^rdy and to^^^^^^^^ S fJt" ^'""^ "^ "'"' ^^^«°
Tn ?3,t" J^ ?*7/^^d varieties are reported as succeeding well.
In pS while th^'S"-' •"""^*' ^^" '■"'^'^^ *^"'i'^'' f^-* *his district."
variety we rel5 - "^ '' mentioned as a very valuable and highly esteemed
sl^o^I%^7t:ilr^:'.r^^^^ *"^ ^^"^« I«^-^ Careening have son^etimes
son.l"se''vet'We?s:^'""" " *'^ only variety that appears to be too tender for
While in the year 1875 a very severe frost destroyed some trPPs nf ^hc ^i.^A ■
Wagener, and Colvert varieties, at Houghton in Norfolk tLn!L u ^^7^"'
an extraordinaxy one, and in no' other yelS TsiSa^l'^t ere oTcu^r d^''^"
1^" ^eslie speaks of the Yellow Bellflower as " very hardy "wWle from' FUin
s^rt^ral^i^teTb^r "'^ *° ^*' ^'^^^-"-^^' ^ ''U^'^^St^nf Si^
From Norfolk, comes a word of commendation for the Belmont and DommJo
.^J^"• u^'' M ^'7?f *" *^^ ^"^g °f Tomkins County the LedTof Lin. Tarr but
although in Norfolk it is reported as one of the most successful in Perth it isWd
to show " some signs of tenderness in severe winters " ^
does'^^KThTm^; stter^^^o^ti;^^^^'^^*'"'^ "' " '"^'^^""^'" ^^^^^^^^ ^^^ ^PP^^
The Ribston Pippin, although classed by Mr. Leslie as •' medium " in resnprf nf
,„ Jhl'l^'i"/"" """^f "<"? ."bove given, the whole of the leading standard varieties
Sario The CtherX '".f'p'lf ""'»-'""«l>lo «l™atic influenoes in we tern
COMPARATIVK ECONOMICAT. MERITS.
■,.aS^^'a^ ?"^' ""* f ™'' ^^"=*^' considered the conditions of apple culture and
indicated where apples may be grown, and what varieties mayTt,r respect'^
r
,'i
28
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
districts, be cultivated with safery and probability of success, the next point to
be discussed will be the merits, in an economical sense, of the different apples.
in the hrst place, we may. inquire. What are the special characteristics of the
various sorts, other than the one of hardiness, which has been already disposed of?
MERITS OF SUMMER APPLKS.
"The Red Astrachan rnd Early Harvest are the most profitable of early
summer apples, is the testimony of Mr. Beadle. They both carry well, and the
Ked Astrachan has the further advantage of being an early bearer. "The Red
Astrachan .and the Keswick Codlin will bear in three years." " The Red
Astrachan and the Early Harvest . . both carry well." Mr. Beadle further
says :- —
T? aT^^ Keswick Codlin la valuable chiefly as a cooking apple. The Early Harvest and
Red Astrachan are valuable for dessert. b.U are Kood for cooking also. The Benoni is a
vane y which is much esteemed for dessert, hut is not worth much for cookin^ The Sweet
SpTe "'' " '"""'' *P^'^''' ^"'^ '* '' ^"°^ ^""^ ^^''''^ to those who like a sweet
'' Of summer apples for profit I prefer the Early Harvest and Red Astrachan,"
IB the verdict of Mr. Dempsey. '
Mr. Beall speaks of the demand for summer apples, in his district, beins; in
^fr'^«9 * «9'^r^l' P'^^t'^^i^^ly ^r ^^^ ^'^^ Astrachan, which brings as much
as from $2 to $2.50 a barrel The other varieties he names are the Summer Rose
and the lotofsky. Of the latter he says :—
used oTit i^^ors^L'fiZl mfrr/' -''P'' ''" "^^'^'"^^ = '^^"•"'^ *« '' ^« -^-* "P« •<= --* ^e
Mr. Arnold's opinion is summed up as follows :
StJwwt" Till R ''"*• ''PP^^ ^ would take the Summer Rose, and next to it the Early
Strawberry Ihe Benoni would come third, and then Pomme Royal, which is a verv fine
dessert apple For an early cooking apple, T would take the Red Astrachan. There are very
few of these that come to market as sucfi, except the Red Astrachan. I have frequently sent
the Early Strawberry and Benon, to Hamilton at .$2.50, ami have got a telegram saying ' 4 "d
on all of those httle re, app es that you have got.' The Red Astrachan brh^gs ■sometimes
$1 a bushel. It generally sells from that downwards." unugs Humeumes
In the Ottawa valley counties, the question is limited pretty much to the
enduring capacity of the fruit, and the choice is consequently limited. In the
United Counties the Early Harvest and Red Astrachan are mentioned simply as
the most profatable Also as the most profitable, Mr. Leslie recommends of summer
apples, the Early Harvest, Red Astrachan and Keswick Codlin
Mr. Hinman speaks of the Early Harvest, the Red Astrachan, the Sweet Boush,
j.nd the Golden Sweet as the best summer varieties. The two first named in the
group are the favourites of Mr. Chaplin.
In the report from Bruce, the fav(,urable notice of *,he Early Harvest and Red
Astrachan is extended to the Summer Pearmain.
Mr. Allan, of Goderich, says :—
"The summer apples most profitable are : Red Astrachan, which we use for both cookintr
and market; Keswick Codlm for cooking ; the Early Joe and the Ind an Rare Ripe for
dessert. Ihe Tetofsky is being cultivated and is much thought of by some growers ^Tpon
some soils it is about as early as the Astrachan." giowers. upon
,, In some dozen other reports, the Red Astrachan is alluded to favourably in
all cases ; the Early Harvest in nine, the Tetofsky in three, the Keswick Codlin in
two, and the Sweet Bough in one. Reviewing the several statements, the first
place inust be given to the Red Astrachan, with the Early Harvest in close attend-
ance if not quite on an equality. The Keswick Codlin has many friends, but the
Tetofsky, described by Mr Beadle as, "a tart apple a long way behind the
Duchess of Oldenburg," while freely cultivated has, in some quarters but a third
class reputation. The other summer varieties are. as will be observed, the subjects
flS
M
m.
, the next point to
he different apples,
laracteristics of the
ilready disposed of ?
profitable of early
carry well, and the
)earer. "The Red
years." "The Red
VIr. Beadle further
le Early Harvest and
10. The Bennni is a
cooking. The Sweet
hose who like a sweet
d Red Astrachan,"
s district, being in
ell brings as much
! the Summer Rose
about ripe it must be
next to it the Early
which is a very fine
;han. There are very
have frequently sent
elegram saying ' send
lan brings sometimes
retty much to the
Y limited. In the
entioned simply as
nmends of summer
, the Sweet Bough,
first named in the
' Harvest and Red
I use for both cooking
idian Rare Ripe for
ome growers. Upon
i to favourably in
Keswick Codlin in
itements, the first
est in close atteud-
ly friends, but the
£; way behind the
arters but a third-
Brved, the subjects
preference, rather
CULTIVATION OF THE APPLE. 39
'^^^^'=^- J^t^-r;.';- isr:^ z^ tsr
than are those of the wmter, or even fall varieties Tho a.m,,u„.. exacting,
MERITS OF FALL APPLES.
The Hawley is the subject of conflicting opinion Mr Bao^u cr^^oi « -l
Porter, the Maittacl, the Kentish KUbasket! aTihr^Zb^JA l'^\f^
neting, Sop, otW.ne, Sherwood'. Favourite the Ohio XnwreU and S P.^?
Orange, are each insnlioned once, but once only "onp«reil, and the Pall
Cou:;y'LSfp"roliL\;7reg"uLarbP;:^^^^^^ '^^ ^^^ "^^ '""^ ^'"^ "^ Tomkina
An English apple named tL Slor ^Msh i. v^rliZX Z^"""^' T-^'i^Tr^' ^""^ P'^^«'"ff-
best fall cooking apple we have, and wLnnerfectWrffiM^'^ S'"''""'^ ^ *''«^^'''«'' '<= "^e
s a rapid grower, bears early and rejularirheavy crous Win,?''^'*"* *u" ^^^'u '^*>« *"■««
form of the Kentish Fillba.skei. » *> •'^ "^^^^ ^"^^I^^- ^ "e apple is much of the size and
to tl^KriThiritx't i^oSfiSeril ''^^^i- r"'- ?.- -'---
Th! ^il??^'"' ?''''"^'' ^' ?"^ "^^ *^^ ^'■^" ^'^"^ties recommended bv Mr Be-dla
P..0. a, snbjeet to bein, winter-Wlled, and Z mtL^-'i.ltof'^tvTnelnt";
in tS:„?^,;?r£in" r^^;^^^^'r"' r 't" *" "" "'o"'""" '«" ""pil-
ing varieties to be"fireatter -^ntlS^ LttZ^'^^^i """""^ *"• ""? ""'=»<'■
Allan as a profitable fruit, and hi „' ^n ot" °e"3o'^ Sty'Xr^''''''''^' " ""-•
I
so
ONTARIO AGRIOULTURAL COMMISSION.
iudS^al^Mrrf V^T '^T^ u^ ^^% ^*" ^PP^^" " '"°«* esteemed " by bo good a
judge as Mr. Charles Arnold, who, referring to it a second time, says •-
bng;;^xt^ruftzx «-«-• -^^ ^^^^^^ >* - -t quite
fou^vr^sS'Jrrt-iyHn;;''"'^^' ^^\ '"P*"'* ^'■""^ ^r^*°"' "''«*™ '^bout three or
tour years atter grafting ; a very strong recommendation to new beginners in aoole
crlture In a further reference to the Hawthorn5«n from the Se 8our"« U is
stated to be one of the two apples mentioned " n.ost profitable to the grower!"
PKINCIPAL FALL VARIETIES.
^Taking into account its combined qualities, of hardiness (already referrTtoV
of the early maturity of the tree, and its productiveness as a fruit bJarer the first
place m this list must unhesitatingly be conceded to the Duchess of oidenbure
In one mstance only is it relegated to an inferior position whenX Arnold says -
"The Duchess of Oldenburg is not in favour with us because there are so many better."
The Gravenstein is classed by Mr. Beadle as "head and shoulders above all
other apples or dessert ;'' but he ranks it second to the Duchess on general gro^^^^^^^
Mr ti n^l '"''•w'^^'lr ^\H "^ ^'' "^^'^ ''^^'"^'^ ^^"«t'es of fall apples
Mr. Leslie places It fourth on the list of the "most profitable," but notices it
as being next to the Duchess in early ripening notices it
Mr. Beadle declares the St. Lawrence to be an apple which " it is not profitable
to grow in our (Niagara) section of the country " prontaoie
rpn^""" ^^'"P'fy ^^'rl.^^* <^^n^"r with Mr. Beadle in his estimate of the St Law-
rence. Possibly a difference of situation may have an influence on the fruit S
on the divergent judgments of these experts. After remarking that " ?he St
D^pTy^rlntrst^f^ ""' "^' *'""^' '' °^"^^^°"^"^ spofsfl^ttle^^M^i:
If a portion of the crop is shaken off theLe when iJL'ro'healT it wiU ta;\nnu:ii; ''^'''■
unsllf:ft'::y:o^t:l%t^^^^^^^^ varieties wouM be altogether
m§mmsmmB
The St. Lawrence is also mentioned in favourable terms, and without anv Hi,-
On the other hand Mr. Beall tells us :—
able'I^pt'"''''"*'''""'''""^ "^ ^'*''"'^™' '^' ^"" ^^PP>" '« ''^'Se\y grown, and is a very profit-
'N.
CULTIVATION OF THE APPLE.
31
ned " by 8o good a
, says :—
though it ia not quite
lars about three or
bej^inners in apple
B same source it is
o the grower. "
loticed in order : —
Pippin, Colvert,
Further, Maiden's
ready referred to),
it bearer, the first
ess of Oldenburg.
Ir. Arnold says : —
are so many better."
loulders above all
n general grounds,
sties of fall apples,
e," but notices it
it is not profitable
te of the St. Law-
on the fruit and
ig that "the St.
>ts a little," Mr.
iburg, but I cannot
ily one tree of that
inly bears alternate
ty of apples, which
of Oldenburg is not
lit is liable to split,
bear annually."
uld be altogether
e regarded as a pro-
nearly supply the
of them are sold at
lias been employed
without any dis-
bnt its popularity
loke with regard to
vhich I would not
rs bruises badly by
md is a very profit-
,.J^ """"* ^ recollected, however, that apple culture is carried on under very
different conditions in the two districts, and that the standard of criticism in fruit-
abounding Niagara IS very different from that which is likely to prevail in Peter-
frvouSbl ^'m^ri, Messrs. Allan, Oady, Westland, and others, speak
The Colvert is alluded to in very favourable terms by Mr. Dempsey. He says : —
" There is a gentleman near me who has an orchard of 100 Colverts, with which I am just
as familiar as my own. Phe trees have been planted about fourteen years, and have attained
a size of about seven inches in diameter. Last year they took about 175 barrels from it. but
that was not an average crop Taking one year with another, we could safely calculate upon
^nnir;?;^! r? f '°^ ^v!■?''• J .L • . • ^^^ <^°^^'"-t' 'f P'-"P«'-ly handle.1, is a profitable
apple, though It does not belong to the winter varieties. It sbould be picked early in the sea-
son, even when it m quite green ; if so picked it is ona of the most profitable apples for ship-
ment to Europe, as it commands fancy prices. " ^
Mr. Leslie also reports that the Colvert has been exported profitably. He says :—
5,r.,!.'»'ib!??/''^''f ^f '^^f'V'hipped to the old country, picked a little on the green side and
imme.hately sent ofif. It has arrived on the other side in splendid condition. The Fall Pip-
succesXT/sMpped!" ' ^^'■^'*"'^'''' *"^' ^'^m^u^e, treated in the same way, have also been
The Cayuga Red Streak (or Twenty-Ounce) is mentioned by Mr. Leslie in
conjunction with the Colvert as a shipping apple. It is classed by Mr. Beadle as
one of the four highest priced fall varieties, its merits as a cooking apple beincr also
noticed by the same witness. Mr. Allan, of Goderich, speaks of it favourably and
Mr. Pettit, of Grimsby, is al^o shipping it to Europe.
The Alexander is mentioned in the character of a profitable fall variety bv Mr
Allan and Mr. Leslie, and as doing well in his district, by Mr Beall
Of the Seek-no-Purther Mr. D. Caldwell, of Waterloo, says :-
fi„ '"^^^ ^^^„^-^0:f "•■^er apple which belongs to the family of the Spitzenberg, is also a,
fine apple, bo IS the ^sopus Spitzenberg ; but the tree is usually delicate, and the fruit Smt
to be so subject to worms and insects that we find it unprofitable. It, however commanTls
the highest price in the British or any other market. I see the Seek-no- Further anpkTabeUed
^FTT^t'^^ ' '^"'l they come so near the real ^,opus that, when they go iiMe Brit sb
market, they are not questnmed. but command a good price." ^ntisn
Mr McKenzie Ross speaks of the Seek-no-Further as " a very delicious anole "
and others also testify in its favour. ^^ '
The Maiden's Blush is cUssed by Mr. Dougall among the varieties of fall apples
most preferred by him, and m Bruce and Norfolk it is also apparently a favourUe
Mr. Beadle says of the Holland Pippin : - ^ i<*vourite.
"It is a cousin of the Fall Pippin, and used to be very popular, but it is founl that it in
not valuable for slnpp.ng or market, compared with the others I have nameT It is men
tioned, however, as a good tall apple by some other witnesses. "
In dealing with the fall varieties of apples, we obtain the first glimpse of a mar-
ket and demand beyond the confines of the Dominion. With the possibility of
extending the trade in certain fall varieties abroad, and the supremacy of the apple
as a fruit for domestic use after the supply of summer fruits incapable of preseJva
tion m a green state has ceased, the cultivation of fall varieties cannot yet be said
to be overuone, or even to have attained to its natural limits.
MERITS OF WINTER APPLES.
An inquiry into the economical merits of the winter apple covers a wider field
than does that which has preceded it. We have already discussed very fully the
question of hardiness and adaptability to climate of the respective members of each
of the several varieties. The present examination includes such subjects as age of
in "uSftier shipping qualities, home and foreign demand, and winter-
v«l,?Ki "^ *-'^. forty-three varieties several are new, and, although none the less
valuable or interesting on thrtt aeeouiit, have hardly yet established a reputation or
become generally known. But they deserve very prominent notice nevertheless'
I
P r
8>
ONTARIO AORWULTURAL COMMISSION.
His new varieties are five in nu ber th«^ " ""■ ^ ' ' ' successful hybridists.
Dom, and one not yet named The last onn-'l,'^™"'^" ^^'^^^J'' *''« Ella, the
Mr. Arnold thus alludes lo them :- '^""''^'i"^"*^^ '« «"* mentioned in our list.
*>nit Growers\A«Ho4Lrrtw^vrars :T\„Ji.':'i!.'^.,*5^ O''*'*"". w»nch waB nent out bythe
of those I have
,. - J AsHociation two' y;;;raKr'ha« nosim^rf '^"*''""' r.''i«»' was sent out h
have kept it as late as the first of J„Tv ft is a « ' , 1 ^ r T^. ""^'"^^ff "^ shipping appl
the other four, the Z T ^„'L*'!?ll"Fu"^*^« Northern Spy crossed wi(
Wapener Of the other four, the nV I have cal p! fh n* ^?'^^^'^ ^PY crossed with the
beautifully marked. Another one which It ?hi rL»« , TJT ".l^'^ f '""' ''««««••* aPP'^
called Arnold's Beauty, is a yellow ,,,,,l«wifV, t^i t^ T*" "^^'■■ downing, of Newburg. I
There is another, called the FSwhk^h'n SLr^n^^^^ *"'' '« * .«'-«*-«>laHs keeping apple
rt u not pretty, i« a poor grower but it h a'Eo?,f ^^f^ '^n"''•^'''*« ^^e Black (iilliflower.
never been nan.ed or sent out, tho JhMr Down n ' jf'^'''^" ?'^ '""'"*'' "^ "'^ seedlings has
excellent dessert apple. By Mr D t„ing I „7an ChLt^^lT'* ""^ *"/l?'' '^ ""*• ''' ** «« ""
.s consulered the best authority on apples and fr?dt«Lren!r?.i?J'^T^'' "/ ^ewburg, N. Y., who
to h,m, and he wished me to send him scions I Si'o S l^'" '\'"fu""*» ^ «"hmitted them
Kra^LlA-L: J.l'^ --hich th^e'X,it' ctrr^? ^^^^::y±!^^^^^v^
and St
They
for the best series of hybrids'
Questioned further, Mr. Arnold went on to say
th Jts ^^^^:^!z-^i^:^:i ..«»,,»„; shipper, >„. „„,
a rival m Arnold's Beauty. The Ella 1 a?H v n'lfolT *^^ ^.''^**''' ''^^l'^'^*' '* has
grounds, but is 'MelicioJs." ThfnameS^^
apple. The Dora is not particularVdSKd bu ^tt *"\'\"" ""'^l!^'?"* '^''''''
merits to be classed with the others irainnnJ^^t'i^u''^^ sufficiently high
Priginator the first place among fe^ af Zc:L'eS^'^^^^^^ *° ^'^^^
^e^e^T::S:;^s^'j::^;r^:z;:-^ ''''- -^^^^ --^'^ ^^p- *«
noticXte au.r!rfrZ'Sl'n,rtS;e1s i Sv^ne^^tT"?." 't"!'''^ ^ -"^^^ ^
commanded a very high place there. It is described a\ liJ ^^! ^^""^^ ^V^^^' ^^'^^^ has
havmg a large open calyx. We grow an ap L eTact W of^^-^^'- '^'I^I'I'^^'tT^H 'P^''^'' *"'»
were rolled out on the first of July, and I foundTt w^I t.f '^^'°''P*"*"- I had some winch
sent them to the market THpv hVnnl-v,/ ^ V* ?"*^ necessary to re-pack them and
M,,llie, though! am S£fied that itlth^ P^l- We called them the Freckle
England. The apple is liable\o get a lit lire sided ^ commands so high a price in
cannot be cooked soft. The reason it rinnrr «!, V, ! ' • ^ "^''^ ^'^'"^ ''^^ in colour. It
think.that quite recently it command d forty egS.hlSlt'rf- "^.^'^ ''T ^««P'"°"- ^
K{ra:^trirs:rrsr-'^^
re^l:llV:llTi^4\X:^ %^ '^""' ^^"^ T^^*^- >* - the sole
^syu^^^e^^^x™^^^^^^ t^=^o^^^i:K-t!^i5
.p^ s t^^^rSt S^Ld£ -s.^in;s:t :::irtar- ^-s
1*
ould appear to
as
CULTIVATION OF THE APPLE. 33
grower. It originatod in Minnesota sixteen years ago. The tree fruited when onlv
five years from he seed, and has borne a heavy crop%ver since. So stronuly has it
conimended itself to the people of Minnesota that we are told by Mr. Morris :-
wildol'eHt.''"'^^'''"''*^'"'^"'*""'''"^'^'" Minnesota, in fact the people have gone almost
The Poewaukee the offspring of some chance cross upon the Duchess of Olden-
The Dominie is commended from Norfolk for its keeping qualities.
Mr. Dougall, of Windsor, says of the Jonathan :-
Rreirbeat7r"""*''rt'hi;t- *'k *''\fT'.!'*"/^*''^^ *« the Spitzenberp, and is a
Kn to'plani f^r LSkibttr''- '*' *'^ ''""'^'''*" """'^ ""' *^« ^-* winte7appL%or' S
'^I'^r^n^.l?/'??"' ^'''"'.' ^^t^T' '=o'"n>e"d« the Bachelor (or King of Apples)
+,-..°^!^° ^''"1^°' ^i"-- ^^''y- ^'■""^ K«n*' ^ho classes the Rambo amon^ fall varie
ties, after speaking of it as productive, says :— ^ ®"
are prJpSly'^cuTtl^airerSSLVd "tCr/t"'"'^"'''''^ '^? *" "'=^5' ^"* ^« ^"'^ '^-' '' '^^V
apples. ' pruned, they grow to an even size, and are a very fair class of
say^^S:i;r^^i-:sit^^i;sj^X~" ^^p-- ^- ^h. he
is not'v"er7wen knowi' l^is^oTmSlirm i'.' lr\')t '""?* P^^«**^'^- I«^ '« -" ^PPl^ t^-t
green, striped with Z 1 re 1 Ifc ^SZe^tlrtn/ n'''h-*"^ shape of a Baklwin, but
valuable, it being considered the b^st to shnVh' 1 *' ?,^>PP'"fi^ qualities make it very
five to fifty centP more than other vanvS?' TV. *PP^^ """ generalfy bring from twenty-
from our pW iTeLyer" there S^^^^^^^^ ar« generally shipped to Montreal
bears every yea - " ^ "" *" ''°* countries. It has an enormous crop, and
r. '''^® Pomme Grise, or Montreal Pomme Grise, is referred to bv Mr Poo,ii
TttelmonTif r'T'' ^*! ha^^'-- ^as aireadfbeen spok Jn^f" ^"'^^ '^^
Nuxllk. '^^ '' "^"''^'^ '^'"'^"^ '^-' '"«^* «"=°«-^^'^»' ^-i»ter sort? in the report from
84
ONTARIO AORICULTURAL COMMISSTON.
Mr. Dougall recommends the Blenheim Orange aa a favourite for cooking pur-
poies, and also adviaes its cultivation as a dessert apple.
The Red Detroit, says Mr. Cady :—
i. a i'* * fi®"^ ff*?'."' ^^^ '?*'* ""*. *'?•'" ^^^^^^ '" «"•■ neighbourhood . . .The Red Detroit
Ic^ri^/TnchiTn^ri^Af^ri-' ^ "''*'"• "•'' " «"'' '''""'' "•""• •'"'' ^""''' ">«""" -
As a dessert applo Mr. Cady classes Pock's Pleasant before the Northern Spy
and other leading varieties, and also 8i)eak8 highly of its commercial value for export.
Ihe same apple is noticed favourably in the report from Bruce.
Of the economical merits of the Wallbridge, the evidence before the Commission
•ays nothing.
^ The Bourassa is alluded to by Mr. Cady as being, in his experience, " the best
The Swaar is noticed favourably in one or two instances in general terms.
Of the Cranberry Pippin, Mr. Pettit of Grimsby, says :- ' It is a good cooking
apple, and crops very well." It is also, he mentions, one of the varieties he is
selecting for export to Europe.
The Poach apple in the evidence receives an incidental notice for hardiness only.
But, from the fact that its hardiness had been tested under severe conditions, and
been, so far well sustained, it was thought desirable to make a little further inquiry
respecting the Peach apple. It is an old variety, although for some reason it has
never been popular here. An eminent Canadian pomologist, however, to whom a
specimen, taken from a tree growing at Toronto, was submitted, says :—
l« ti'J}^ specimen yon send correHponds with Downing's description of the fruit, excepting
m the colour of the fleHh, which he describes as white, but which in your specimen is yellowish!
J his, however, might have become changed somewhat by keeping. Downing speaks of it as
fr^r ^|,^''«'\«:"'^ *'"^?' '*** '^'''"" *i (™™ December to April, thus placing it among winter
fruits !< rom the specimpn you send I am favorably impressed with this apple, and think it
its"flvour.'^ ^ " *' "' ^'^^ *'*^''"'' ^"'^ ""^P- ^""'"y ^''^ being 8t;ong points in
Since the evidence now under review was in type, a communication has been
received from Mr. R. N. Ball, of Holmhurst, Niagara, containing a great deal of
extremely useful information, both as to the foreign market for apples and the mode
ot shipment, subjects on which, as a very large exporter, Mr. Ball is able to speak
with great authority. Referring to the Mann apple, Mr. Ball says :—
r..^ f T-'^'"^ '!i!* c?fnparatively new apple-the Mann -which promises to establish a hiirh
reputation in the English market, especially if shipped in the spring." ^
The Mann apple, suggested as a hardy apple by Mr. Beadle, is also classed
among "the most esteemed varieties" by Mr. Morris.
Of Norton's Melon Mr. Beadle says :—
"For early winter Norton's Melon is a good dessert apple, but it is not very abundant."
STANDARD WINTER VARIETIES.
Up to this point we have discovered in the list thus rapidly glanced over
abundant materials for apple growing on a large and profitable scale, but we have
not yet touched the heart and foundation of this branch of industry, so far as
winter apples are concerned. Under the head of established standard varietiiis
ot winter apples, we class the following :—
Northern Spy, Ribston Pippin,
Baldwin, Red Canada,
Rhode Isknd Greening, Ben Davis,
Swayzie Pomme Grise,
Fanieuse,
Yellow Bellflower.
^.'•xv^uv, iOLUAlU V^lCClillJ
^sopus Spitzenberg,
Golden Russett,
Roxbury Russett,
King of Tomkins (;ounty,
Wagener,
Newtown Pippin,
Talman's Sweet,
Grimes' Golden.
We shall examine the claims to merit on economical grounds of these apples in
the order in which they are above mentioned.
Mr. Beadle says of the Northern Spy ; —
CULTIVATION OF THE APFLE.
ie for cooking pur-
ft
•e the Commigsion
rience, "the best
3, is also classed
t very abundant."
these apples in
"The Northern Spy in nuite late (an
beam— about ten yearn I nhoul(l Hay,'
bearer) apd attainn considerable eize before it
Conceding its good Iteeping (jualities, Mr. Beadle says further :—
"The Northen-n Spy i« a very fruitful tree, when it beKing to bear, but I don't know that
it compenHateH by its fruitfulneBs for the time re(|uir«.l to briuK it to maturity, an.l the great
care required in order that it may pro.luce perf«ct fruit. It in a very lonif- ivc.l tree not-
withHtandmffthat tiHHoproHHc. • The Northern Hpy. fron? the C Lit ft^so
late in coining to bear, and aim, that it require* ho much care after it doen bear, hw. not
attained a very hitfh position amon« our orchardistn. I only know of one orchar.l de-oted to
the Northern J?py and that « in the County of Halton. "^In it there are eeve a hundre
trees of that variety When ,t hrnt came into beariuR I used to hear a k<.o<1 deal about it
Mr Sprumer owue.l it then, and used to bring Hamj.les to our meeting^, but I have heard
nothing of hm Buccess for the last few years. S,mkinK from recoUeciion of my last conver-
Hat.on with him he was meetiuK with the difficulty 1 have spoken of-that there woh such a
tendency towards bearing urge cn.pH, the labour <.f thinning out was very large ; and unless
you can get well developed specimens they are useless." y - H" >
Mr. Pempsey says of an orchard in his neighbourhood where the trees are of
this variety : —
"I don't know the age of the trees, but they have been negieoted. The orchard produces
from three to SIX barrels per annum per tree." »•« i>i"oui-eN
Mr. Dempsey also speaks highly of the Spy both as a shipper and keeper
Mr Arnold pays a tribute to the qualities <.f the Spy as an apple in demand for
both home and foreign markets, but places it lower than some others in commercial
value for shying. He also testifies to its good keeping qualities. " If the skin is
not bruised, he says, " it will keep till May."
Mr. Allan, of Goderich, says : —
"The Northern Spy is rated No. 1 with us. . . . Choice Northern Spy and Rhode
Island Greening apples always command the highest price. . . . For the home market
the Northern Spy the Rhode Island Greening,\nd the Baldwin, are the mosrasked for
None of our storekeepers think of keeping any others than these and the Fameuse. For
shipping, the N.,rthern Spy comes hrst again. They are a little tender-skinned, but when
properly packed they carry well." ^
Mr. Allan, further states that a quantity of Northern Spy apples formed part of
a shipment to England m 1879, and the purchaser asks for a larger shipment at
advanced figures this year.
Mr. Dougall, of Windsor, after speaking of the Northern Spy as a good dessert
HrppiCj Sciys I — '
"-The Northern Spy is very long in coming into bearing except in warm, gravelly soil.
When It does come in it is a very good bearing apple, although it is Tpt to have a great ma v
small, worthless apples on the tree." of » c a gicai, mdny
Its tardiness in maturing is referred to by Mr. Toll, from Kent, who says :—
" We cultivate the Northern Spy and we find it to l,e a very good apple, but it is a long
fifTcfer^eal^.dd.''''' '*'■'"' ^"^ "°* ^'«'° *° ^^^' paying crops until they are about
Mr. Caldwell, of Waterloo, also refers to this unfavourable characteristic, but
says : — '
"The apple that succeeds best with us is, I think, the Northern Spy, for a winter apple
Those persons who go into fruit growing for shipment consider it the leading apple for their
purpose The only objection to it, is that it is long in bearing ; but it is such a va uable tree
and such a long and steady bearer, that it is preferred, and there is money in it."
To its value for shipping, Messrs. Leslie, Roy, Hinman and Chaplin also
testify, as well as others Summing up its merits, and demerits or drawbacks,
they may be briefly stated as follows :— '
The Spy is an excellent fruit, keeping well, always in good demand at home,
and bringing generally, if not invariably, the highest price of any apple, but a few
exceptional varieties, in the foreign market. The tree is a most prolific, recmlar
and enduring bearer. But it does not bear, as a rule, until ten years of affe an,i
dues not come, until some four or five years subsequently, into full bearing ' Its
very productiveness is a source of trouble, for, unless well thinned out, many'^of the
Pf-
se
ONTARIO AOHWULTURAL dOMMISSWif.
fi
S: J::^;" ""' -^'»"-;"-l. f- i>.oki„g. tho ,kin i. tender, demanding
Of tho Haldwin, Mr. Headlo say. :-_
3S r'"^'^''^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ •"'^'^: T'^' -»-'<« •" our
pl»nte(l than any other variety." '""^ ihouldern above all the rent, and in iii.,re
mJ: w!r;it:'t"j'r;s'i,':;z'" '" ™'- - • ■'■' "" ».•."»■
Mr. Ihill writes respectiiij^ it : *
1 1 I • ^'* "" *^e '-^'f' "f Noveinher 4 250 wlr» n i ? • ** ""^"' * '"' "' '♦.WW barrels Hold
recorded. "^ "^''"^ «^«»T other authority whose evi.lence is
for IXt'toi""' '''■"""'^ '^I'^^^-" *^' »>« the closest con.petitor of the Baldwin
wouid\^3tp'rtrE«rrpt"^u?ti^ti"ti.: : :•"- "^^p^^^- \p- ^-i-. -d
says :— '^ ^*'' °"^' instituting a -omparison with other sorts, he
appaK„r,^o;:Stt?;n"at^^^ *^« --try generally, the best cooking
^io^^M7rliZ::;yV.:'^'' '''"'' ^«^«" *^' >* - - «-d demand for expor^.
kFT^^^^^^^^^ -.and the highest
Green Newtown Pippin are readily ,,3^86^ .T^ hill •'^"'^.^> ^K"!''^ ^"•''"•l Greening and
Rhode''l!:f'*^ f ower«'Bhipped an S.JfcS fpp leB Xear'wr ^'^T ^r- *" ^^"'^ <'"«
Rhode Island G.eening. he could procure, in pXence tfot her sorts'' ""^ ^'""'^ ^"'" *" *h«
is ^^^^^^^^C'l^^^^^^^^ apple lis. But it
Mr. Caldwell, of Waterloo in w h '"'''^*.*" "^ his foreign market,
winter apples, goes o^^o sty :- "^'"''" '^^^ ^'"^^^^ ^P^ '« fi"t of all
It is both a fine dessert
.ppuS:r>,?C.pS' "iS-i- SL°l-S";i?^i"^' '" ""-■
Beadlo. He .peak,, it S be rTcol eoteTi'^T".?'''"''.''' "'«> "'"•» "f Mr
nurseryman rather than a„ orohardLt aSrom V'™f™'ly '"dependent critic, a> a
:i:.tai^:^t^Hicai'rrc'£!SS*?i^^^^^^
FromTr%afZll^%t™f '' f ""',•'''''' '''-I--"- -tins quality ■•
appreciated ap,Je fn the Bri "hTaklr ll?""'!:''' l'?!' ^'"P"' » elea-lf « "ell
ne«,, Mr. Hinman place," hetiXh.Ki„'W' "?''' ?!"'"« " "<«"' '" ^rd '
P.pp.n a. a shipping apple. Mr" R*' ^^^ilr)?',.'^"^:'^''^^ " P '"?
indor, doniftiiding
(»»t esteemed In our
i« rsMt, »nd Is more
"The Baldwin
apple.
purposoa.
ities.
the best reiiulta to
•l.ftOO harrelH, sold
)ther lot of 4,259,
to, the Baldwin
(lose eviduncu is
' of the Baldwin
oor keeper, and
(Jther sorts, he
the best cooking
nd for exporta-
mnd the highe»t
id Greening and
irm, to whom one
sking for all the
e list. But it
is first of all
th a fine desHert
ng qualities of
I those of Mr.
jnt critic, as a
t where choice
t(v pack well
, its demerits
•at in the pre-
:e, he admits,
[uality. "
learly a well
iit for hardi-
the Holland
n the Perth
CULTIVATION OF THK APPLE.
87
The Ainoncan (ioldori Jtusset is placed, by Mr. Headio, socon.l ,.nlv to the
Balcw.n as a useful apple for either honu, use or export, but . s a „ atter of chcdco
he classes ,t as a dessert apple, - the purpo.e for which it is chiefly su ted -a iX
Hay behind both the .IJsopu, Spitzenbeix and the 8way/.io Pu.mne Gr ie H
commende,! by Mr Den.psey both as a hardy apple and i «oodZeper Takinu U
atrlomilllVen'se""^^ ""'''^'"'^- ''' '"^"^*'^'"" " ^ ^'j>'« "^ «-^ 'l-tes^;!
The Uoxbury Uirnsot is a popular apj.lo. and is said to be the " l.muost keor^in./
nrobably stands hrst. Its modest exterior, occasionally, and on y where tltTsun
has had full f,.rco, exh.bitmg a li.tle colour, may have something to do w h the
want of ai>preciatu.n m its own c<.untry by which it has hitherto suH-.r«.l Llil
Europe its merits are well known. Mr Leslie says of^t :- ' ^"* '"
Garden market, 'fhe trVe Th a^exce len Sw^r a^^^ ^^"" '* '" ^'"^«"t
fruit a year when in full LearhC S HwaS P™ C^h^ h TmaU tT ^^T ''.1"?'"/'^
deHHert purpone^. In my opinion it iH the be^ntdeSar.pleTn he world ThnnHH ?' V.'^'
It 18 a i)erfect cinnamon nusset, and where exnoHHfl f,, til u.. , f ,1; ^"""- ' "« '.■^"'•^ ih pretty
Thone HpecimenH grown on th^ aSt;aS:"of*th'e trThaverc'l.h,^ "^^'T^'
is <.ne of the very hardiest, and in view of the demand for thr/r it if \. n. V u "u*""^®
might turn w th good nroMnect of hiw<-phh t/ 1. .w.V 1 1 "^"f^ .""''• »t la one to which we
h J been grown a longS it hi not g t int o'Xil 'flL'lIt .'n' S f r''""' ' *''"^'*<^ ''
'''^"''•vbo:e'::irtr "'';'' the Ni ^ and ^c. iltilaS' o^ L^exrenTK ''' " ^
place ihtX^^Jli^lVmme'GHHl^"'^'^ "'""''''' '"' "^ ''««««'•' ^^^'<' -y- Mr'tadle. "I
Beadle' '^'"''"''"^' '" ^"""^ ^^^'^^' " "''""'^ universally grown, and, says Mr.
^^^t:i?ZlTir^^^^^^^ but during the
cannot get it to market." ^ ^ ' cannot do anything with it-
It has been sometimes shipped as an early winter or late fall apple, but it is to
reprtiot' "" " '"' ''"''"'' * '''' *'""^"^' '-^"'^ ''' ^^-'^i^-^. it diiefly owes its
The Yellow Bellf.ower comes in for a less frequent share of notice than manv
of Its c.ntemporancs, although well spoken of when mentioned. Mr Roy saT-^
" In the Georgian Bay district I think there must have been from S OOf) fn 4 nnn K 1
Of the King of Tomkins County, Mr. Beadle speaks with some reserve- but
Mr. Hinman, of Grafton, ranks it ahead of the JE^ma Si.itzenber"anfl thJ Rb 1
Ishuul Greening as a good sliipping apple. It is onJ of the choi^^lHe ies setcted
by Mr. Morns, of FonthiU, on which to establish a reputation in the Xit ish market
In several reports it is mentioned as an apple that is successfully cultivatTand
well appreciated by the home consumers. siuuy cuimatea and
Of the Wagener, Mr. Beadle speaks as follows :~
half'lf^1.e"wlVtlT"t;f:rast";"hrv:tfoi^re'.^ '"Tf' ^"^' ™?* ^« ^^^ '" t^e first
section of the country, f have conversed ^^ ^„ ""^ ^T ^'^''y l*r««Iy P'anted in our
it ; but I find that aLr alAt%7in.t;"ke:;1o;^;\tur^^
mariti;!, apple, particularly for sentiintr lonTf f)i.,for,^.>.. " r* " "iT'i -^•t^nt, a:tri- as a
market or otheL near by.C itToKi^t^rd'acroL^^ '^' '^^ ^«-«
r
98
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
Mr. Cady saya of it :—
ver;2ta^e%Srifhi?5;^^^^^^^^ woody-fibred frui, not
an^^te. which see.s to conflict .ore diS^wTh'^. S^:"^. 'T.
Canadian apple. When itTS and well £.?own ".^"/'^^^^ than any other Americau or
The Newtown Pippin has been sent fr.,mth/Hr? .' °t* beautiful golden colour
the owner of one of tL orcSs sen k hi< tv,!^^ " I" ^,"°'*"'i ^^^ "^^^Y years. Mr. Pell,
greatest care, rolling ear3intLei,lLr\"T ^f?"^!*"^" .«« P^°k« them with th^
He has succeeded in°getti„gT^ a repSionrhiTapff '""^ '^'"^ '" '™"" ^'^^'^ ?*'='''«««•
prob'bV^^Stta^ft&drw^^^^^^^^^ and shipping it in a tasteful manner has,
has been assumed for other apoles and P^tW ?f= 7 ^/- A'^'^oj^' that its name
identity lost. Mr. Arnold says^C-' ^'' '*' reputation diminished or its
Eng'llIS'f,;?^:^ rei"."rnth™Tsrpfi;ot'^^^^^^^^^ ^°"« ""\"^ ^-h'- -
which is the Newtown Pippin. Many a?e ^hTr.JfV^f^ f""^ i"^" ?"''" ^ho agree as to
nothing but Greenings, an^d^ou wiKThelrtn^LlfaTaIl"ot^L^^^^^^^ ^^'^'^ ^'«
Mr. Ball says of this apple :—
we L^ve t:?f 'f^JlS&^Xi; h SKow*n':ut'^"*.rr 'V^« ^"^^^^'^ --ket, vet
it worthy of cultivation for exportation/' ^^ sufficiently free from blemishes to render
Arn'oM s!j^st it^.^£^" " '"^ ^'^ ^*^"'^'"°" ^--"*« -^^^ the English public. Mr.
theZ'E?SrEnSiTmir aid most ShSe^n^'^.^ 1 ?.^ ^"?^'^^' e? '* ^'^ a favourite apple
enjoys rather'a false p.^ukrhy in those coun Was i"t is Jof 'fi ""f)'"^ ^'^^ ^*- ^ ^^^'^k it
of course be a profitable-apple here f we had a market i Fnl?,,..)''" "w' ^'''''''- /' ^^^^
Eibstons than they can in En-land owin "tn m,^?!^, • u ?. "'V ^® '''''" S^ow far better
the Ribston Pippin is a shy blearer tSh no^hint.T * •'«"«•: ^'""'^te. In some localities
half-dozen Ribs^'on Pippins'beS, buTfliVaSe yo'uShres.'' " '""""• ' "^^^^ ^"'"^
Mr. Allan, of Goderich, says of it :—
T^^^^P^^'^i^lI^^t;^Vl^ Hibston Pippin,
in England, and it goes along with others to that country." ^'^ ^'°'"'''''" ^PP^«
He further remarks : —
wen^TKo^famiryS'- "°'''^' ^'" ^^^'^ "^' '^'^'^ ^« *'""«''^- '* * I-^fit^ble variety. It is
says^-^'"''"" ™''^'' some practical suggestions with respect to this apple.' He
in E5a;i;f^rs^t"^,tTi?lSi;rref^1 IZlZT-'^'V''' ^'YT ^'^P'"" '* -"«
Ribston Pippins to Engknd. That variety is not vln I ^'"'V'" '^""^ "^ shipp.ni? a barrel of
lantic, Iam%otawar'ethatithaf.o;re':.*ftn^SS this side of the At-
hav« It, sent there in season it mustbe shinnp^l W ufl tvT ' "'.^"y/ana- In onler to
CULTIVATION OF THE APPLE.
39
oody-fibred fruit, not
lish public. Mr.
able variety. It is
this apple. * He
The Red Canada is spoken of by Mr. Dougall as " a fine apple, but slow in grow-
ing. It IS as a dessert apple Mr. Dougall chiefly commends it. Mr. Cadv who
says It IS known m Michigan as Steele's Red Winter, and in Massachusetts as the
Old Non-Such, gives it credit for good keeping qualities. Mr. Dempsey confirms
this and also mentions it as one of the apples most in demand for export
Ihe same gentleman " knows no apple to compare with the Ben Davis as a profit-
able market apple, if grown upon favourable localities and soil." For retailinff in
Belleville, he says, it brings the highest price of any apple we have "
Mr. Beaf^le says of it :—
as lItfr£rJ^Zlts^^ ^i^ ;eil.'''""'^' *'"' *'^ ^^" ^^^'« '''' ^ '^'^^ ^ ^1-"*^
Talman's Sweet, or Sweeting, is mentioned in the reports from three counties,
Ihrea'stSn dScTs ' '''"' '"^"^ '''''■ ''' ^^^""^ ^^^^^^ *° ^« g^^*-* -
Greft^BriTali' ^KtdlTays oHt': - " ^" ''''' "'^^^ *^ ^^""^^"'^ ^^^«"^ ^
firsl'of i^^erbt'^^a^riSxrelle;^^^ '^^" "^"- '' ^^ '" '""^ ^^^^ ^-'^•"- ^''-^ 'he
Apropos of the shipping trade in apples, Mr. Ball remarks :—
''The Spy, Spitzenberg King of Tomkins County, or any good, sound varietv will sell
preference being given to high-coloured varieties, othe^ qualities being equal. The AmLican
GoWen Russet and Pomme Grise do well, but the Rox llusset should be\ept for spri^ shTp
DATES OF BEARING AND MATURING.
The periods from the graft occupied by some of the leading varieties of apples
before bearmgh-uit and in coming to maturity, are, approximately, as follow :-
Name.
ThaWagener
TliH Fameuse
TheBahiwin... .
TheK. I. Greening
Grimes' GoUlen
American Golden Russet...
Roxbury Itusset
Swayzie Pomme Grise
Years
At full
before
Matuiity.
bearins.
Years.
3-5
10
5-7
12
6-7
12
6—7
12
6-7
11—12
6-7
12—13
6-7
12—13
6—7
12—13
Name.
Newtown Pippin
Red Canadii
Yellow Bellflower '.]]
Ben Davis
Talman's Sweet
King of Tomkins County
^sopus Siiitzenberg
Northern Spy
Years
At Full
before
Matiwity.
bearing.
Years.
6-7
12-13
6-7
12-13
6-7
12-13
6-8
12-13
6-8
12-13
7-8
12-13
8-9
14
10-11
15-16
CRAB APPLES.
l^vc?!^^*'^'"!^!'^*''" °^ Crabs grow in every part of the Province and yield very
laige crops^ At Arnprior, and in Muskoka, as well as in the front counties the
^heTh^lV' 'r'"'^f*' T.^^""*^^^^^ Beauty were found to be equairprolific
The Siberian begins to yield fruit in four years after its removal from the nurserv
and bears a profiiable crop in six. The others are also early bearers. """^''y'
CULTIVATION OF APPLES— THE SOIL.
now rtn'Sng. *'' '"''""' -^^ *" *'" '^^* "^*^"^« «^ ^^^-^^-g -PPle^ -iH
The tre. may be suffered to begin its orchard life at four, in some cases fivp
and in others three years from the graft. Some will in four years fiZ transplant'
ng yield a fair average crop. "Very much will depend," remarks Mi Beadle
on the way they are treated after planting in the orchrad " '
f?
40
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
would go on incre^inlf in valuJ:" °" favourable soil, properly drained,
Mr. Uempsey remarks on the same point •—
ever the apple tree has been olanLrUhlr! if fl • u ' °" ™""ife' white oak ridges, and wher-
v.ri.tiL The d°Ie;;Lr»™i,t,i^thX, thi° ''«'fP"'"L'"«'.;'«?"J' '<•«'»" 'h« tend.;
iairu^„tu^r^„riUd,|f'»iHS"'Y
sand-particularly some varieties^' ' *'^'' '^° ""* ^°""^^ ^° ^«" *« "P«» tl'e
apple growLg.'Y[hT;rft iTflorC^thaf ?f •" T^% 'I'-- ^^?"^"'^' "- *j^« b««* -ij f-
we?l drained." I thinktoUL^^y^Tct fs'Se^E^t tl thSd'" ^""^°'^"*'^ ^"^""^ *« ^«
Natural or artificial under-draining must therefore be considered the first con
dition of successful and profitable apple culture. "m«rea me nrst con-
Mr. Arnold says on the same subject •—
• HEIGHT AND FORM OP TREES.
"The best kind of a tree," says Mr. Leslie
with a low stem, say about three feet high." '
Mr. David Caldwell, of Waterloo, says •-
' is a half standard, that is a tree
Mr. Morris, of Fonthill, says on this point •—
lid be a half standard, that If Cranch „f o"^ l''^;. dlVifhu'l':! ^'.1^ a t^ree feet
years old, and what would be called 'half stand7r,1«"'"Tr,TrT'' i"'*""fS irees aoout three
would be a half standard, that t Lnch n ' o" t^ ata het"ht^of thrl' T'^t ^^TJ*"^^ ^^^^
It is against nature to grow a tree with a ba^e s/pm Pvn,! ! l V 1. ^^ ^^"^ ^^""K ^^^ «''"^»"'l-
to tnake the tree diseased If the limbs are aSed tshl.ip fh' T ^"'1 ^'ther ; it tends
healthy and free from borers, and itSten. theTark I wnnft' f "?'' • k^ *r^ '' ^^^^^^^
know a tree will grow in proportion toXTownlsl't the' s"em' t£ sI r'teV'the^Tem'thJ
faster the tree will grow. I have demonstrated this. Another adv^ntfreUthi. ft? *^^
can step into the tree and gather the fruit; and at the same Hmp if fV,t fi "f r , ' *t*' ^V"
up you can work with a team as well as among tall stem trees. " "' '""''' ^'' '"■°"*''^*
ASPECT — WINDBREAKS.
All the authorities agree that, for an apple orchard, a southerly asnect is
desirable and that where no natural protection exists, the orchard sCld be
beauty annually recurring danger, and add much to its
IN.
. Given an orchard
lid be the result from
nd Io98. Just for the
it an orchard on unfa-
loil, properly drained,
1 any other soil. My
of the forest. There
oak ridges, and wher-
)n similar soil, though
told would not bring
■ forty years, and had
b oflF and cultivated it
-dy varieties that will
h early in the season,
y to grow the tender
wood ripens early in
aries in spots. Some
py is ilourishing, are
slightly heavier soil,
h so well as upon the
^ '_' is the best soil for
iciently porous to be
ered the first con-
. clay nor too light a
sd. As to the differ-
y soil call everybody
t will not bake like
lard, that is a tree
le with a high stem,
BF the tree with your
; be able to do if the
ig trees about three
th a three feet stem
it from the ground,
d weather ; it tends
the tree is always
'ith a low trunk. I
lorter the stem the
:,'e is this, that you
3t limbs are brought
nther'ly aspect is
rchard should be
h will at one and
i add much to its
CULTIVATION OF THE APPLE.
41
Mr. Dougall says on this point :—
tree^cL m^^rotf thervfryV'et In thT^iT^ 'Z' '''' P'"/-«- "^ "-hards. Deciduous
a row of trees would be^eryLue use f Z iT'v,^"''*"'^ ?^ *he absence of leave.. I thh^^k
and they should be planted LEhesX from'wh LhYhe'coldL^' ^'T' '''''''' -me lid ?
gets cleared up trees are needed more and T^rTeverv vear T„7°''' '"'??*'• /' *he countr^
raise apples and pears well, before the couXy wis cfeared off h,,^ ."I"" ?''"'''1^ *hey used to
of trees m such a shape a ons concession linp« fW fi • j ' °"* *hey have left wide strim
It would through a large funnel? iriwereToinlU'' '^'^'^ TT^' ^^rough between them L
trees the first thing ,m all sides except, perhfpsTeru'thri^^ I would plant a beU o
.s md.spensable unless in parts of th^ co^untTwh^VtS-r pTe't^ol wS!'- ' ''^'"'^ '''''
PLANTING OUT.
»ome ^teJ;rr';;.f£ti.X.^ ^ "'•"'»" """y fee. apart ;
orc£l^ri„rer4?J'S;;;4\*l/ - fav„„„b,„, ^.„y
earher in maturing, and much shorter E V^f Tu ^ f ^ ^^^^^' *'^« P^ach being
should be planted. witnesses as to the distance apart at which apple trees
CULTIVATION OF SOIL.
the grass by grazing, it would require to be broken „n «nn! • ? ^' "."^ ^*'"« obtaine.t from
know that i should attempt to 1 it I thiak I should ?.f ?r"^ and re-seeded, but I don"
cultivating the ground before seeding it down I shnnl?) Iti *he grass take care of itself. In
or hoed crops of any kind. I have grown San corn^^.*"* '* with potatoes, beans, beet.?
have food enough for the trees and for the corn too TJL^°'■°^*'■'*•,'^"' ^ *"<'k good care to
Mr. Dempsey, on the other hand, says :-
being^seed^ldowr''^"^ """'^^^^ have observed have been cultivated constantlv witho .
the roots of theTre'es are' not disturbeVft ''Virr"^^'"*-!^''"'"^^*^^' h'^^
to be encouraged to the surfac" S.<5iin. -'eertZ^^^^^^^ '"" *" ''l^ 'he small roots seem
the growth of the tree, but this is rendefeSi^ tl^qurstt:^
stance's.^ He sa^s:- ^''^^^ ' discretionary" policy, varying somewhat with circum-
Z^f^^^'^^^^^^^^^^^^^ — sense and i„dg-
when It IS growing too slow I immediatelv di^ ,> nrf / ^ *'?'' ^rsias to grow around, and
ft"' f, "T.°^'=^*^*^ without ke^ph f tfc grou J cultir^^^l '' T'"" ^ «'"'"Jd be sorry to
After that the treatment would dino^ri ..if grouim cultivated for four or f^ve years at Ipaor
ness of the soil, how soonTwould fett ^^^ '"""^ ^ ^epth, strenfth, and ^1
permanent gra«. for a dry season roies delth tomZT'?' . ^ ^""T '^^ '""^harc! remaining in
n summer time when tliey shoud grow and when fflfi *''^?'' because they cease growin?
too late in the fall for the Lod to riferand1he\^?este badly i^u^ *'^^ "^' '^ ^^'^
Mr. Allan, of Goderich, says:—
^^^a:i^^^:^^^^Z^,^ It!'^ ?"^-heat or other grain, and it is
■^^ u-orked arouad the trees and manure auDed In llh»V.V'.5'°'"^^- m^'*^" 'hen, the soil can
*
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
'f
iM
Mr. Roy saya : —
"■ " I prefer to cultivate the ground of the orchard until the trees are seven or eight years of
age, and then you may seed it down. After trees have reached that age I would not do much
at cultivation. I don't see how you can cultivate after the trees are eight years old as they
begin to grow close together. I planted my trees eighteen years ago thirty feet apart, and
they are always meeting. It is almost impossible to cultivate when trees meet."
Mr. Dempsey also adds the following item of information to his remarks, already
quoted : —
"A gentleman of my acquaintance, Mr. John V. Williams, has adopted a system of culti-
vation, which I think is worthy of notice. He cii oivates in the spring until about this season
(June), ploughs his land twice and sows it with oats ; when they are about four or five inches
high he buys a lot of sheep, turns them on the land, they live on growing oats during the sum-
mer, iiianuring the Imd, lyi"g under the shade of the trees, and devouring fallen fruit. The
sheep do not do any injury, and his orchards are flourshing under that system. Young trees
might be injured, perhaps, but this was an old orchard of rough bark trees."
All the witnesses agree in advocating the careful cultivation of the orchard for
some years, and most of them that nothing more exhausting or more closely grown
than a hoed crop should be planted. " Common sense and judgment," as Mr. Ar-
nold says, must be the guides of the orchardist after the trees have attainea a ma-
ture growth. The use of orchard ground for sheep pasture, a green crop being
sown annually, has the threefold value of being a source of cultivation, economy
and recuperation. But it is obvious that only into an old orchard would the intro-
duction of sheep be possible. The remark made conversatio Uy by one of the wit-
nesses in this department of inquiry, to the eSect that he thought " one crop at a
time was all anybody had a right to expect from his land " had a good deal of force
in it. The object of the orchardist should be, before overything, to make the
orchard a success in itself, and any other crop should be subsidiary to that grand
object. Nig^ardlint- ;^s and a false economy are as fatal to really successful fruit
growing as anything else.
THE SHIPPING TRADE IN APPLES.
The shipping trade in apples, particularly to Great Britain, has rapidly grown,
in the last ten or eleven years, to dimensionF of considerable importance. The
Trade and Navigation returns, unfortunately, < > not discriminate between varieties
of fruits, the general heading "Green Fruits, in the tables of exports, covering
green fruits of all classes. But it may be taken h>v granted that the terms " apples "
and " green fruits " are in this case nearly identical, for the amount of green fruits,
other than apples, exported is insignificant. A reference to the Trade and Naviga-
tion returns shows what, in the period above mentioned, the progress in this direc-
tion has been. In 1868-9 the total exports of gre en fruits from Canada to all countries,
was but f 30, 150 in value. To that volume of exports, Ontario contributed $11,948
all to the States, and Quebec, nominally, $11,686, of which $3,654 went to Great
Britain and $1,703 to the States, the baliince being shipped to other countries. The
term " nominally" is used in connection with exports from the Province of Quebec,
because it is too obvious a fact to be di&puted, that, while a large portion of all the
products of Ontario are shipped from, and entered as shipped from, Montreal or
Quebec, in the case of fruit, Ontario is practically the one fruit growing and export-
ing Province of the Do.ninion. In 1879-80 the total exports of green fruits from
Canada were in value $173,870, of which $140,231 went to Great Britain, and $22,202
to the States. In 1879-80 the exports of green fruits were in value no less than
$364.,390, or just about iwelve times the amouat of the exports in 1868-9. Of the
total volume in 1879-80, $303,313 went to Great Britain, and $50,404 to the States.
The exports credited to Ontario and Quebec in 1879-80 amount to ^288, 733, but as
the exportation of apples is proceeding late in the year, or even through the whole
winter, a considerable amount finds its outlet by way of Halifax, some of which
may be credited in the returns to Nova Scotia, although really from Ontario.
Only by the aid of properly collected annual statistics can full justice be done to the
Province of Ontario in this respect.
1
^N.
even or eight years of
! I would not (lo much
ight years old as they
thirty feet apart, and
es meet."
lis remarks, already
)ted a system of culti-
iitil about this season
nut four or five inches
; oats during the sum-
ing fallen fruit. The
system. Young trees
jes."
1 of the orchard for
more closely grown
gment," as Mr. Ar-
lave attainea a ma-
1 green crop being
iltivation, economy
rd would the intro-
y by one of the wit-
ight "one crop at a
a good deal of force
hing, to make the
iiary to that grand
lly successful fruit
has rapidly grown,
I importance. The
te between varieties
f exports, covering
the terms "apples"
lunt of green fruits.
Trade and Naviga-
agress in this direc-
ada to all countries,
!ontributed $11,948
,654 went to Great
her countries. The
Province of Quebec,
e portion of all the
from, Montreal or
[rowing and export-
f green fruits from
Jritain, and $22,202
value no less than
in 1868-9. Of the
0,404 to the States,
to «288,733, but as
through the whole
"ax, some of which
ally from Ontario,
stice be done to the
n
I
CULTIVATION OF THE APPLE.
43
.ri?/,«';Xwri '"""'• *• '^l' """» '«"»>- already been quoted from
" The apple trade with the old country is fasf 9Bffi;«„ a
years ago it was in its infancy. In 1870 onlv •' 000 ln!l ? ? .""^*, Pe^anent basis. Ten
that year averaged $7.60 per barrel gross. Shj^Sat ti^l^T"* *" P^l^^r^, and a lot I sen"
years each year has doufted the export^tionrof the nLTt 'L Trl^^^J^^^P^^ ' ^^"^ ««^e'-''*
^'^^Pa:s";SVhXyrie?uri
was. So that orices will i..^V,„ .•!:!^"A'*fr*^«' ^"4 '« not so „.„.„ » soecuiation as it once
a sound, legitmate
side has grown, until theylre ilo^rCra^re^sltras our wh"^'? *-te for a'p/les froTthi
It has now assumed the aspect of a reguUr tr^de an f it nnf J^'^K''"'' ^'^^ ' ^""^ *his reason
was. So that prices will not run into extremes as n fort ' ^"^'^ » speculation as it once
trade has been established governed like all nth ^r, l^ luT'' •^^*"' ''"* » s""nd, legitmate
English and Continental apples do nofinflLnce the^nrice o^ "^ '"^^^^ """^ '^^'^^^d The
then, almost entirely out of the mnrl^Bf ." „n" ul .^^P""".^. "^ "ur aPP es, as we have driven
n, I — 1 ""v"V"="'"" aj'pjes ao not
them almost entirely out of the markpt in ',rn"i-r 1"° '^'":"'. "* """■ aPP'es, as we have driven
the local demands. The magnitud^of tL ?rade hL^r a'''^'' \^.' ^°«*1 ^"'it only supplyS
carnage of it, and better ratts for shlpers have been 'if. our ship owners to compete for^h?
j. has been developed during the pasTseS S^th^M.^*'"^''}^"" yf^""" ^"otner feature
I wiihourown in the large centrL of trrde!'irke ToSnto 3^^ ?"'r ^^^^^ competed
I very few have visited the fruit districts of Ontario for t^o Montreal, while comparatively
I ring to have growers pack and ship t^ir own ft?ii^. '° ^"""P"'' °* ^"^'"^ orchard, prefe^
I ^^^dle, in his evidence referring to the same point, says •-
.. There is no reason whatever why Canada shnnl^ k , ^
\ to any country I am acquainted wi^h.^ We have betlli'! second as an apple growing country
, can possibly growthere. I would give the preference to ^-^ ^ ^^ ^^"^ '" *^"^^*"^ °'
as an apple growing country, having regard alootoTv,! ^^"^<^* m.comparison with England
covelrtre^Tp'^e'hrwSl S^lhfhthTst''^^ ''' ^f^'T'^ '^ P-^-*-" or dis-
our trade we must rely on such sipTe varietL'ar''''b^^' ^^""^^ . ^^^ *^« bulk of
are always people in Great Britain So wTnavZ'" ^'' "ot.ced above, but there
tionally choice and excellent or attric tvlly KenSd H f^' ^' ""^'^^ '' ^^^^^P"
an apple and its presentation to the columer in the mS ^^ f.'-oductaon of such
for .he „pu«i„„ „, «.„„e>,.s":s£ pZti: i^ife^Ve i:^°-;s^
PICKING AND PACKING
.e ectthe fruit, rejecting every one that is uSer Srsn^^^^^^^ ^^' ',"i"^ ' '«* the packers
let the fruit be of a fair uniform size, as it will not nav ?o « A T^™'^' "^ ^^^'^rmed in any way ;
eign market. Don't be tempted to ship medium ^nw \ ""^ ^^f" !" ^"^ "^^er shape to a for-
medium-sized in barrels by theniLl e' Sthp „nnl T ""^.^^ '» ^^^ '^^^ b«*rrel. ShTp
thr(,w them the whole length «f the arm iS tt bale/rTl.*'^'^''''^ ' \^^ '^'"^ down, don't
other .-empty them carefully upon the taKr .ewf ° ^''f U''^ ^^'H cattle against each
medium by themselves, and the culls by themselves '•" ' ^""^ *^' ^^■"^^ ^^ themselves , the
Mr Beadle says in connection with tlie same matter :-
care is t'^e'n7:tli?t i'%TmSralSyPts7 ^^I^] ""^-'r^^ ^-^et, and unless that
and selected with care.^ In the first place von Zh ^ Th^''''^ reason-they were Tt packed
'^'''TTn P'^"! «^y^ell grown I doit illfrf^ ""^'^L, all we l!lrow„
are the ful y developed size of that variety Th^n ^hev ^ ^Tu ^I ''*"7 '"«*"«' ^^^ that the?
as cuts or bruises, spots or scabs. They mn/t b? nfe'"'* ^f ff'^ ^''"'n imperfections, such
put into the barrel with care, gently shaken then^Zh «T^""y. "«* handled roughly, but
on they should be pressed a li'ttl UaS!"e^« 'L 4,t H,'' ■^""' ^^^^^en the top fs" put
you must wrap each apple in ti^l^^^S^ll^J^Jl^XS g^^r^'S^^I
wr
44
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
1
i
IP
I
^}?hT} 1 I'^P®'"' ?«■««! them down a little, and, perhaps instead of rounding the top up
w th apples, put in a quantity of some soft material. Sonfe recommend packi"iS with bu "k^
wheat chaff but anything will do that will keep the apples from shaking whenX barrels are
^.r the trouble. •^P^'''^"*"P'" ^'^'^ ^^^ command L' much higher prlcrthat will ^^^^^^^^^^^
Mr. Ball too writes : —
the'fac."t '&!,"f„!,^Jir i*i"' '"■ *I!^ "^^^"^ ^^''' °"'y ?''"^ *'^''t ^^^>-el« «hculd be used, from
the fact, that no matter how much you may sweat apples, the process of evaporation sti Igoes
on unless the air in the barrels is saturated with moisture. And the escape of this moisture
8 the cause of so manv ' slacks ' that often so sadly reduce the proceeds of the lot In ""eSg
let the apples in the barrel be of a uniform quality throughout, and the whof; contents be
fairly represented by the top layer. Facing the bWl is so generally doiTe hit not to do t
wou d seem to indicate carelessness or want of experience in putting up fruit but shoddanv
^z:^£::^ii^!rS^^-^''^ii;S' ' '■'^-^'^ -f thim^itUii^^Sriiis
^:j^&^^!^i;tL: tvJS«rg:^.ftk?;::,KKKr
any imperfect fruit, as the best so. vill sometimes let a bad on. sWrnVfilUo about the
top o the barrel, but do not round or heap it up, pr.ss the head in, wh ch will contract thl
barrel about one and one half inches and if every apple h^xs found its bed by thorough shaking
Wr«t7'fi.Y'i^ '""/'f 'i'* '^^■'l ^ r"1 .P'«°« "^ ^""^- The hoops should be nailed before the
be lined ' ''°'"*' '''""^'^ ^'"'^^''^' '^"^ '^°"^^' ^^ ^'''^^'^ ">«■ The heads should
" ^^ ^l a Sreat mistake to fill the barrel so full, or rather to heap it so high that the annles
are crushed in putting the head in. In this case the te.xture of the flesMs broken anlthe
fruit will either dry or rot, producing a shrinkage that will cause the apples to rattre when the
barrel IS moved. All such on landing are placelon the catalogue as ' slack'^nd on an average
only bring about half price On the other hand, when the pressure is equalto the elStv
of the apple, but not enough to break the flesh, a good tight packing is secured." ^'*'""'y
scribes •—"^"' °^ ^°'*®"^^' recommends the Tomlinson barrel, which he thus de-
, "It is made in the form of a cylinder, without any bulge in the centre ; it is cut in one
piece from elm logs similar to the common cheese boxes, f he piece (or shaving) can be nut
together double and joined at the sides by splice and nailed well. ^ The ebar^elsSe often used
Wri ! r^'j'!^"''"''',-, /•* *^^*''^ ^"-^ l!""'^'" good-sized hoops could be placed upon whTch the
&sebarr"els t\'^\'^^ "^T'""^' *^"« /'^^'P? *»>« body Sf the barrll from any pr ssure
sort." ' manufactured in quantities fully as cheaply as the common
CO-OPERATION IN SHIPPING APPLES.
Already in Great Britain, Canadian apples, as we have seen, enjoy a good repu-
tetion. But selfishness and greed will often put in peril the most promising trade
lo guard against this some of our orchardists are adopting a co-operative method of
guaranteenig their fruit to the consumer.
Mr. John Graham thus descr os the object and plan of such an association in
the Bay of Quinte district. He says :—
fi JT'*^ ''^^P®°* *°.*i'^ object we had in view in forming a Fruit Shipping Company : in the
friHt^inH ',r!irr'S*° ^'^P *^' ^T^^. ^^ "?"^ ""•^'•'^ ^^^PeHence in growing and shipping
S^« Lr^f f„ , r'^r^ young orchards beginning to bear more fruit than we can profitably
dispose of in our local markets, we expect, by careful picking, selecting, and packing to
establish a character as fruitgrowers that will enable us to compete in the foveign mafkets
with the best fruit growers of the continent. ""^n-cus
"I might just say that our company has not existed long enough for me to say much from
hLTSf ' ^"* f ""T^^r \'- ^^^^ ^■^'^^'^ «^^y H^' «*"*■ ^'^"^ ^hat few transactions we hav"
?K« J l!i ^P ^u ["'*• , ^" fh'.PP'ng it is required of each member that he puts his initials on
the head of each barrel and his card inside. The commission merchant to whom we consign
IB instructed to sell the fruit of each brand on it.s own merits and make his report rcording?y !o
that each one receives his just due according to the value of his fruit. So you see that, as the
buyers in a foreign market get accustomed to the marks, if we have a ' black sheep ' in the flock
Sr Ji\!w,"t"f ^ T^^ ^'"'''" "\'*' ^"* ^« ^","°'^ '"*«"d to admit any person who has not
first established a character as an honest, upright packer. By careful selection, and careful
and honest packing, I do not see why we should not anticipate a bright future. "
MARKET PRICES OF APPLES.
The price of winter apples in Canada does not generally exceed from $1 to $1.50
per barrel ; about $1.25 is a fair average, but during the past season these figures
ON.
of rounding the top up
2nd packiii^' with buck-
ing when the barrelH are
price that will pay well
els should be used, from
of evaporation still goes
I escape of this moisture
of the lot. In selecting
the whole contents be
r done that not to do it
p fruit ; but should any
necessary, as the brand
I one lialf-bushel, lesser
king, looking sharp for
slip in ; fill to about the
i^hich will contract the
id by thorough shaking,
lid be nailed before the
off. The heads should
so high, that the apples
flesh is broken and the
pples to rattle when the
lack,' and on an average
8 equal to the elasticity
I secured."
3l, which he thus de-
centre ; it is cut in one
(or shaving) can be put
its barrels are often used
3 placed upon which the
•rel from any pressure.
3heaply as the common
h enjoy a good repu-
lost promising trade,
p-operative method of
nch an association in
pping Company : in the
growing and shipping
; than we can profitably
cting, and packing, to
in the foveign markets
ir me to say much from
iv transactions we have
; he puts his initials on
it to whom we consign
is report accordingly, so
So you see that, as the
lack sheep ' in the flock
ny person who has not
I selection, and careful
t future."
eed from $1 to $1.50
season these figures
(CULTIVATION OF THE APPLE. 45
t':;' in'coCrnrSnntf 'on"rof 'ir'^ "^^'^^ '""^ Commissioners were sit-
sixfy cents to persoL wCfound L ba ^oTs Ta disposing of his crop at
boarding them while so engaged ^ P*''''^^ ^^^ ^^"^*' ^r. Hinman
Mr. Ball says of the prices in Great Britain :—
per barrel, and this will be about theUg^ tri'^^^'^^jl^^^^^^^^Z llZ "^^^^«'
traii c^KdVlil LTe^relri^Svf'"^^ '''' '^^^"^^ ^« ^^^^d' t^e -Port
A NEW DRYING PROCESS.
ground o?FeTtoloc\:ZTtnT"\^sS If d^ ?t "" V^*^'? '^'' *° -* ^ *h«
a system of bleaching and dryin" ap^p"es bvan t^T^^l ^"*' ^^' ^"'"^ *™« ?*«*
tion in the States, and it is satfaftnCt f , a^ ifacial process has been in opera-
Ontario. Mr. A. M SmUh of ir r{ft" '"''"' H ^''^""^ '^''^'^ introduced into
apparatus used :- ' ^^^ ^-^^harmes, thus described the method and
^^fy^i^^^i'lM^^^r:^^':^^^^^^ «*• St»^-ines with a capacity
not to the States. The apparatus used is called the ' sXn^ifi."?'*''',""' ""^. '« ^*n*J*. but
the 'Alden,' althoi^-h the principle in the tS the same ?M-ai' ""''■ 'I?'} improvement on
over a furnace, and on each sidl there is a beltiae likTa«Jii ^ upright frame or box built
f'^'ilo^*' %^ subjected to the hot air of the furnace Th.fa^.''^"'"- ^^ ^>^ ^'■'"* "ses on
to 170'. The fruit comes out all dried. Before beW nuf in f^P!l'*''"'!u'^1"'''«d '« ^'om 160"
a process of bleaching to make it whifp Thof ^ ^f '" *,'^'' ^'^^^^ *he fru t goes throusfh
wondered how the fruft was rendered so white The luitThl^ a secret p. ocessf and ^e
on httle trays which are placed over buring^ulnhur inH a f*'^^^^ being put
time. They have machinery to cut ud the frn ? Th. ^Wov/^A to remain there a short
girls. _ One girl pares the fruit ; another^cuts i So sect oLPl""'? ^l ^""'^'^ ^^ ^»'«°» ^"d
bad pieces. I think each tray is alh.wed to remah, ntlA^ ' Tu **''^' ""'^ *he bruises and
five minutes. The bleaching is doneassoSras^he apple \s'cf,'?P''R^''''?u*'^'^'^'""^
Catharines factory to England.^ i have see^n^sevl^JoTlll^^'^^^^^^^^^^^
bushel! a^d^Sfpllfrg^^^^^^^^^^ .^^ out and prepared for drying for 6 cents a
l^rt.Tt.^ L-'J^A"^ *he driidVuit, wl'l^h wet'£lt^r. 1^"'-.^.'^-,*. five bushels of
-^
u. --,j-- ••■'" ""f'^. ii- wouia not pav
It would to dry the second-class ones."
^owto^Si°Sofr:;p:l.t°t:l ■"" """""'o « "'^'-^ -'-^^', <^i' *» f„,.
»u them. A„, k,„r.,".3 tet„ir;siTK«5ro\#' " "• -«
PRESERVATION IN WINTER.
of ft7i^:S?S;;^:nT^^^^^^ ThefmitwiUbeara few degrees
the better. A celkr suitable for root, ! thermometer is to the freezing Ej
for the apple. Some growers pr fS to keep t^Tapo/e? "' h 'l '^ "^"^"^^ ^^ '"™
of the separation of any spoiled frJt hn?fV ^^f ^ ^^^H^^' '" o^'^*"' ^o allow
them in barrel.,. a» d«cri^"'i ^ - iJ' f^if ^''f "'"^* approved method i., t.n r..l
wanted. The temperitu ^"akd di^'ieafS'th^^"'""' t^'"^ ^" '^^' ^""dition un«l
to the preservatioLf the ?ruit S th s luntr^v ?fr ' ri,'"\^"«"^
hand, the sooner the fruit goes into ^nsSmp^tS the betS?' ^"''"' ^" *^« «*^-
f!n
40
ONTARIO AQRIOULTURAL COMMISSION.
PRUNINQ AKL TRAINING APPLE TREES.
It 18 not possible in this report to go into all the minutia; of orchard management
nor, having regard to the fact that these notes are intended for the farmer who may
devote a iew acres to fruit-growing, and not for the professional culturist is it
necessary to do so here But, on the subject of pruning and training apple trees,
a little information will not be out of place. When asked what time he recom-
mended for pruning his trees, a blunt spoken witness replied : " whenever the knife
18 sharp enough!" His meaning was explaned to be that, whenever the tree in
appearance or vigour could be improved by the application of the knife, it should
be applied Prune well but never severely," may be regarded as a safe maxim
tor orchardists. As a rule, farm orchards are not pruned sufficiently, and the culti-
vation of wood largely supplants that of fruit in many. Mr. Beadle's advice as to
pruning is as follows : —
" I like to prune an apple tree into a sort of inverted umbrella shape as nearly as may be,
to the habits of the tree. _ Sometimes, however, I make a
having some reference of course to „..v, „„u..,o u
second Btory of limbs- a small set in the centre. I don't think," ho we ver,' that The form Ts so
very essential so long as we keep the top sufficiently thinned out to allow a free circulation of
air, and enough of the sun s warmth to come to the leaves. We shouLi guard against allowing
the tree to become too dense so that the fruit is not sufficiently e.vposed to the sunlight and
air- perhaps mostly the air, because I believe the fruit needs but little sunlight. The leaves
are the organs that develop the sap both for the fruit and the tree. We should also guard
against exposing the bare horizontal branches to the direct rays of the sun, because sometimes
the heat is sufficient to scald the bark when so exposed. The only object I have in pruning
an orchard tree is to get m a circulation of the air and let in the light. The cup form of tree
18 probably not so important here as in Great Britain. In Britain the sky is overcast much
more m summer than with us, and there is proportionately less sunlight."
Mr. Dempsey says : —
"I have paid some attention to the form of apple trees. I have amused myself by training
them in cordons, bv grafting the ends together, and also in pyiamids, and almost every other
imaginable shape, by adopting the system of root pruning, but there is nothing pays so well
f orm " culture as a nice round head, not thinned out too much. I try to get them in umbrella
Mr. Morris, whose remarks, like those of the witnesses above quoted, wil^
apply to other fruit trees as well as the apple, says : —
" I would train a tree to a flat, spreading head, and keep them from running up. Trv to
make it spread out I would start three feet from the ground and allow it to branch, and
turn my side branches up to allow of horse culture underneath ; above that the tree should
spread out as much as possible. These remarks refer more to apple trees. I would not care
to have pear trees with more then a foot or two of stem, and the same way with peach trees
ouTa"stemTo"'"'^™*'"^ without any stem at all. I think cherries should be grown with-
APPLE BLIGHT.
Besides the dangers and injury to which the apple is subjected from birds
and insects, to whose operations and habits a chapter will be specially devoted
the apple blight is the only trouble that appears to affect this tree. The cause'
and the nature of this disease except so far as the effects are concerned, are little
understood.
Mr Beadle says of it : —
' ' At times the apple trees suffer from a blight at the ends of the shoots. We had a period
of It a few years ago, when it seemed to go like an epidemic through the district, blightina
ff T^^u ^^^ twigs and blossoms just as they were forming into fruit. It very matlriallv
affected the crop that vear, but it seems to have passed away. I noticed it this year again in
the County of Welland around Druuimondville. But what appeared singular to me was that
the trees which had no fruit upon them were almost exempt from it -or at least were affected
very slightly in comparison with the others. The blight, however, has never been so serious
as to make it a matter of alarm to the orchardists. " ' '
Sir. Dempsey speaks of a similar visitation which attacked the apples just
forming, and caused them to turn black ; the blight was communicated to the pears
and pear blight developed itself. '
ON.
CULTIVATION OF THE PEAS.
47
'chard management,
he farmer who may
onal culturist is it
raining apple trees,
lat time he recom-
whenever the knife
lonever the tree in
the knife, it should
ed as a safe maxim
jntly, and the culti-
teadlo's advice as to
! as nearly as may be,
i, however, I make a
)r, that the form is so
V a free circulation of
iiard against allowing
d to the sunlight and
sunlight. The leaves
Ve should also guard
in, because sometimes
ict I have in pruning
The cup form of tree
sky is overcast much
ed myself by training
id almost every other
nothing pays so well
get them in umbrella
ibove quoted, wil^
running up. Try to
ow it to branch, and
that the tree should
is. I would not care
a.y with peach trees,
hould be grown with-
jected from birds
specially devoted,
tree. The cause,
ncerned, are little
ts. We had a period
le district, blighting
It very materially
it this year again in
,'ular to me was that
t least were affected
lever been so serious
1 the apples just
sated to the pears,
Mr. Arnold speaks of the blight as "slight" in his district and "not sorious."
Mr. Allan says : —
" We have had some attacks of the blight, but they have been very slight. The Transcen-
dant Crab and the Keswick Codlin are the varieties most subject to it with us, the trees, in
some instances, being almost killed out in one season. Twig blight is very common this
season on many varieties, but does not extend beyond the extreme ends of the new wood
taking about six inches of that." '
It is evident that, in the opinion of these experienced culturists, the apple
blight is no serious iuipediniant to successful apple growing.
CULTIVATION OF THE PEAR.
LIMITATIOf BY CLIMATE.
The pear is not indigenous to Canada, and, whilst it attains in many cases a
degree of excellence nearly approaching perfection, it can be successfully cultivated,
as compared with the apple, over only a limited area. Its natural home must be found
in the Niagara and South-western Peninsulas ; in the Huron fruit tract ; on the
Georgian Bay ; in Prince Edward County, and along a somewhat narrow strip on
the north shore of Lake Ontario, as far, perhaps, as the head of the Bay of Quinte.
East or north of these places pears may be, and in a few cases are grown in tlie
Province, but hardly for any marketable purposes.
THE AMERICAN OR FIRE BLIGHT.
Another check to pear culture is the disease known as the American or Fire
Blight, to which the pears on this Continent are continually subject, and which is
apparently, if not unknown, seldom observed in Europe. Its source or cause, as
well as an eflective remedy, are as yet undiscovered, for it has baffled all the study,
and efforts for its prevention or cure, of fruit culturists and naturalists, both in
Canada and the United States. Mr. Beadle says of this unwelcome attendant upon
pear culture in Ontario, and in fact the whole of this Continent :—
x>i- '^^^m^^^ ^ disease here known in Europe as the American Blight, we call it the Fir*
Bhght. The term has been so long used by fruit culturists that we know what we mean by
It, but after all the word only exp-esses our ignorance, for we don't know what it is nor what
causes it. It usually makes its appearance in July, and from that on to the end of the sum-
mer. It sometimes first appears in the end shoots of a summer's growth. They are noticed
to become black, and they dry up. Sometimes this blight will only extend to the growth of
the present season ; at other times it will take two or threg years' growth ; occasionally it
will appear on the trunk of the tree, and when it does it is usually death to the whole tree.
lu ■ ■ T l'^'^^j^ ** * disease which appears on the quince and Siberian crab so analogous to
the one I have described, that it seems to be one and the same disease. The disease is not
wholly unknown in England and the Channel Islands, becaiise they speak of it there as the
American blight, yet I presume it is seen there only to a limited extent. The liability to this
blight seriously impairs the whole of America as a pear growing country. We are not particu-
larly lial)le to it as a disease in Canada. My impression is that it has not appeared in the
Channel Islands sufficiently to make it a source of serious trouble. As to districts near the
se*, I am not sufficiently acquainted with them to give a deci led opinion ; bui I should say
that, where the climate is such that pear trees can be grown, they would not be so likely to
, be tr.mbled with the blight as we are, because I know that in the' vicinity of Boston there is
a small secticm of country nearly or quite exempt from it. The climata of that section is
more humid than ours, that is about the only difference."
Mr. Dempsey stated that, for ten years, his trees had not been affected with
the blight. Previously, for two years, they had been blighted. He suggests that
having ceased to cultivate his pear orchard has had something to do with the ces-
sation of the trouble.
Mr. Arnold says of it : —
"I have no theory as to the cause of the blight. T have soirietimes thought that blight
was much like apoplexy in the animal. The blight generally comes on my orchard after a
severe or sudden change, such as a heavy wind, vhich knocks the branches together and
breaks the sap vessels. I am satisiied that high food is also one cause of it. Pears which
ONTARIO AOIilCULTORAL COMMISSION.
.Kht. and sometimes they do not. Home vi;ie^"l't^^:uhSS rkilled.^^^^ "'""""' ^"
grow
rich .
blight
very
"om
This view rather bears out Mr. Demnsev'a thfi.irv tKof *i,„ u * ... .
with its stinmlaii,.g effects, has check Jtlfe tendency to bt " °"'
Mr. Allan says of the blight :— ' ^
uHe of S knr".:L';,l»Led t^TZ'irnTv X -'*"'' '" «7"« f ctionB it i« very bad now. The
. blight can be ,.reven te 1 Ty ulg linleed oU^ a walhTnY' '^T^'W^' "''^r«'^ ^V «'>">« ^^at
an.T winter -liKht in Hummer"n 1 heavv in wU«r f '^ ^«11 mulching the trees in summer
Several orchard, in which ikLt'i:^^^^:^^::^]^:--::^^ ^-J ajfectin^^the roots.
than''dayfi„ro";ltr'"^ "^^'^^ P— "" » -«- conducive to blight
point- S-«^;;°JT^"'^^"^''=*^"*"^"*-- »*- ^-m his long experience on this
treelVff'^cIl^lihlS^mL^VnXrrrnd^tt'^^^^^ "^^1 /T«*""- "-
escape the next. I used to think that smne v^rllli^! ^'"r* '« .attacked this year will
after they were attacked. The' Laves and the vounrsh^'.! J*?? ■*»*•"«**»; but a few years
off about a foot below the diseMed Dart Whin ^nn „ *^- *?* ^lack and they should be cut
ing. where the trees are suSTng fC. bliX the smelM^ '"*" fu"."^^?'-^' [" *he early morn-
Some of my varieties have suffered from near W!,»K(- t o^ • .. .. j .
pear orchard, but there has been no Et in U vet For nr'.vLf- '""^^'^^^^^ >» » three-acre
the trees with sulphur and liuie. We mix up a nailful o^f if^a 1 Vr'*"""? ^\*''« *''«^'"^
pound of sulphur, and apply that mixture L tL tr^ef A .nL ■/"'l,*'''"""'u'" ^^out a half!
feours have suffered from ,li\rht Another San I Xnt tn nT 'tu^'^."-"'"^'"","^ "V "^'K^-
to grow right from the ground I th nk one cL^e of Sinrv .!l*,''''^^--"''-*?.^""^.*'^«"'"b8
long naked stems. You often see a dead snot at the hn?^„,7 tVT'' '.' ".'"'"S^ ^^^"^ ^"^^
although mostly attributed to blight " ^ """^ °^ '^^ *'^""'^ '^"'^ *» that cause,
ANCIENT SEEDLINGS.
KlilVfv,* """""^ ^*''* that notwithstanding the usual susceptibility of the near to
blight there are some pear trees that are never known to suffer from it These ar«
old seedlings, planted, or the immediate progeny of trees nUn wi K?, i I\? ®
missionaries, eiU.er in the French ^emL.frn:ELl':,''l^^^^^^^^
hshed nearly 200 years ago, or, as at Fitzroy Harlour on the Ottawl nn /vll f"
of voyageurs of the same race. The origin^als came ;robablv fS France and
the existing trees are not now recognized as of any known Eurooean vari J^ %
of them are believed to be GO or from that to 100 yT^soUY^i^fhl-^ I *°'VI
from 25 to 30 bushels of fruit in one season. It has toT/shatln ol thftreef a'Ket
mt: ff a veart • So"""' ^"T '^ "^^ '^'''^'T^ ^^ ^ -i*"-« -h' has ^ade from
»15 to ^20 a year for 20 years from one of those hardy and prolific seedlinT
Attempts to propagate them by grafting have not succeeded. They must be nrZ"
gated by suckers, of which they throw out an abundance. Their ropa^atFoXv
any means would be decidedly advantageous and ^-hould not be lost sight of
VARIETIES OF PEARS.
Of pears the varieties are very numerous, one wi^npmn M,. Mo«i,„ • r.
mentioning that he had no less thin 85 in his nursery. ' ^^''^enzie Ross,
The Dears named in fbo Pvidenrp ir»"i"n — fi--- -« iv ^-. .
As la the case of apples, local nomenclature may here and there produce Hittle
■A
)JV.
> which grow in very
iiB tr«eH recover from
led."
ence of cultivation,
1 very bad now. The
slaimed by Home that
r the treeH in summer
t affectintf the roots.
h the blight."
Jonducive to bli<?ht
experience on this
ees. Sometimes one
iacked this year will
t it, but a few years
d they should be cut
d in the early morn-
5 the smell of a field
■ist, and he said the
)t account for it."
ough he does not
as follows : —
ssted in a three-acre
lures we are washing
iw in about a half-
umber of my neigh-
o, to allow the limbs
1 letting them have
: duo to that cause,
is an ever present
it ; and thirdly,
of combating or
ty of the pear to
m it. These are
' early settlers or
anies were estab-
■wa, on the route
"om France and
1 variety. Some
they often yield
le trees, and sells
lo has made from
rolific seedlings.
^ must be propa-
propagation by
i sight of.
fackenzie Ross,
42 in number,
produce a little
CULTIVATION OF THE PEAR.
z'rt r/^tsru^eSr ^iWoT,,:!!;;!-.''.^:^?^-". "-' ""• '■ -
Roptiezer.
Osband's Summer.
Beurre (Jiffard.
Windsor Belle.
Bloodgood.
Belle Lucrative.
Beurre Hardy.
Beurre Superlin.
Buffum.
Onondaga.
Goodale.
Beurre d'Anjou.
Beurre Clairgeau.
Lawrence.
Beurre d'Aremberg.
SUMMER VAKIKTIE.S.
Clapn's Favourite.
Bartlett.
Manning's Elizabeth.
Klliot's Early.
Doyenne d'Ett5.
FALL VARIETIES.
Howell.
Flemish Beauty,
Shehlon.
Beurre Bosc.
White DoveriTio_
Orcy Doyenne.
WINTER VARIETIES.
Beurre Diel.
Beurre Easter.
Oswego Heurre.
Winter Nelis.
Supreme de Qnimper.
Ananaa d'Ktt?.
Tyson.
Souvenir du Congress.
Doyenne d»i Cornice.
Louise Bonne de Jersey.
Oraslin.
Seckel.
Duchesse d'Angouleme.
Josephine de Malinea.
Vicar of Winkfield.
President Drouard.
DESCRIPTION AND EOONOMIO MERITS
earl? Ve^.TtTgoTot ^^^^^^^ '^ -"--'^^'^ ^^ Mr. Beadle as < ' a small
when h. orchards^l^^^^^^^ that escaped blight
an aqtHty^ftrrb/Mr"^^^^^^^ ""if'^r'^ ^« "^^ *« *^« «-*-- = on
pears by Mr. Allan. ^ ' ^'"^ ' ^"^ •"^"t^oned as one of the most esteeiaed
and?dds^^Y;X'a^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ''a summer pear of good quality."
^ one of the pears recommendedVM^ Lll'^ I*
Bougall as one of the ^^ best ttfel'^V^tft;" D^JstTdr nt^t^e^d
marie:. E^ea^t iVSlr^td^'^dofst^^^ ^T/"^ ^^^ ^^^^'^^'^ ^^r
more money in the market than any other ?ni?« J""* .\'"*- "^* ^'" ''^^^^^^
* oW^iS^^^^^^^^^^^ "' '-''^ '" '' ''''''"
^tZp Ipi^it SrvfrJ^riS^tre^^^LreiSTeT'^Vn^- '' ''-« "''-"y
than either of those other kinds I have nameTand T fi^i v t""" ^^'X^*' ^^^ '""«h more so
pears I would plant it largelv It a^lk wTii \ ,'i''^ '^ ^ ^^''^ Planting early summer
quently with a little russet'uTon i^ and Is Iwiet tVrg '• " '^^^^'^'^^'^^ "'^^ '' '« "P^'re!:
Of Manning's Elizabeth. Mr. Dempsey says •-
cious frKndtTpTo?4^f ^^ ^'^^^^ '« "" ^«"- than Manning's Elizabeth, which is a deli-
^ The Tyson is repeatedly refeTed to A f^- i ^ "^^ ?"™™''^ varieties.
Summer, and Beurre oSd Mr Beadle t^ys^!^^'"^ *" *^« ^°«"«^«^. ^-band's
I ha'^'^nSl" *^ '" *'^ '^"'"™^'' - «-^y - -tumn; the Tyson is superior in quality to any
Mr. Arnold nneak" of ■+ .."<<,- c
toWight than any nhLeKma,"^HZF'"'''"i'ir^'^^ 'he Seckel-lea, .ubiect
Mr. Graham-, oii oT"tltne«l"^\rh°gS; o"t°ft '''''' '""'«' ''"^'" ™
60
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
rf
Of Clapp'g Favourite, Mr. Beadle say* :—
"It is an early autumn near, and will prove hh valuable for thU country ax any I know
mean i>^1 ^'""'V^M!"=* "^ *^« B*rtlett. TI.e tree Ih hardy an I productive, liy h ir.iy I
W itZ^m! 1 *^ 'i*?.'.'" f"*"*"!'' *"'• ** •'*'■«'"• '••'»*• " »""*'"^ '" >"*"« <•« the tree too
long It becomo;* decayed at the core, but you cannot jwrceive it until you break open the fruit."
It is hardly so reliable as the Bartlett, accordin-f to Mr. Arnold. Mr West-
land recommends It should be pickad while yet Kroon, as, if allowod to hauir on the
tree. It would be liable t(. decay in the centre. He speaks of it as a favourite pear,
n "'Yi* r *" »fc as " »i new pear with a rich Hdvour," and one that "always
sells well. In the County of Perth it is one of the most profitable and most com-
monly planted varieties.
The Bartlett, however, is the pear, that above all others, commends itself to the
orchardist and the public. It is inonticmed by Mr. Beadle as one of the varieties
that fruit early. He goes on to say of it :—
mark'p^frnil" 'I"'"' "^ *'""' 'n/iP^ning is the Bartlett, which has a great reputation a. a
SSfv oth/r ff I suppose more iMrreli of pears of that variety are 8..Id in our invrk.-tH than
K^Jn n 1 / J *** ^'-"Uifht, until within the la.st year or two, «t(l a barrel, but of late it has
fncrea:e,rHlnr" Th".""' ^ ) "k""*'^, "'''°*^, *" 'K" ,«t""pncy of the times anei partly to th^
CWui wi^^" f^** '^'"■"'*? has been planted largely in the State of New York, and
Canada a.s well, so far as pears have been planted in Canada at all."
'' So far as I know," he adds, " the Bartlett is the most profitable pear."
Mr. Dompsey, who3o situation tries the hardiness of fruit a little more than is
the case in the Niagara district, alludes to the Bartlett as "tender," and neediiij/
a more favoured locality " than some other pears. But Mr. Arnold says • "The
most successful variety of pear, everything considered, is the Bartlett."
Mr. Allan s testimony is : —
^h^A^^^ '"'"'' P"!?"''^'' PS'^"" is the Birtlett ; on account of its bein? so profitable, it is far
variety?" """^ the others. . . The Bartlett is fruited probably eariier than kny other
Mr. Roy says of it : "It comes in early and is easily sold." Mr. Leslie " has
seen nothing to beat the Bartlett ; the tree bears well, and the fruit is good."
ihese testimonials, from authorities so unimpeachable, must establish the Bart-
lett s supremacy on its economical merits.
'^^^ Ananas d'Etd is only alluded to in a passing remark by Mr. Dempsey, but
Mr. Leslie, in his catalogue, describes it as a large, handsome pear, resembling the
Wartlett, which ripens about the same time as the latter, and, bein" hardier nuy
be regarded as an exceedingly promising variety. The Souvenir du Con.'ress, with
winch the list of Summer Pears ends, is mentioned by Mr. McKenzie Ross as a pear
no garden should be without.
AUTUMN VARIETIES.
Coming next to the Autumn Pears, we have first upon the list, the Belle Lucra-
tive, which Mr. Beadle describes among amiteur varieties as "a sweet, rich pear "
but one that, without a good deal of sunlight and exposure, is apt to be discredited
by a good many imperfect specimens. Several others recommend it, but do not
particularize its merits.
Of the Beurre Hardy more will probably be heard in the future than in the past,
tor it is now being thoroughly tested under the ausoices of the Fruit Growers' Asso-
ciation. It is described as a tree of more than usually hardy and vigorous consti-
tution, and ' IS ranked in pomological parlance as ' very good.' "
'm ^ ^^^^^ Superfin ranks as " good," but as inferior to the Beurre Hardy
Mr. Beadle gives the Buffum the one notice it receives in the evidence by
remarking : — ''
"I don't think the Buffum would succeed in Cana la as a profitable market sort. It will
Tmarker) "^ *^'" ™''''* ''^^^'^ varieties, but there is not much money in it as
The Ouuiidaga curiously comes in for notice from witnesses at two extreme
points, and no others ; Mr. Dougall at Windsor, who speaks of it with others,
N.
nntry m any I know
luctive. Hyr h mly I
thi) Floini»h Huaiity,
hurix (in the tree too
jreakopen the fruit."
mold. Mr. West-
fi)d to hang on the
8 a favourite poar.
one that "always
ble and must com-
mends itself to the
le of the varieties
reat reputation aM a
in our in:\rki't8 than
el, but of late it has
ea, anil partly to the
of New York, and
;able pear. "
little more than is
der," and needing
mold says : ' ' The
tlett."
profitable, it is far
rlier than any other
Mr. Leslie, " has
lit is good."
istablish the Bart-
er. Dempsey, but
ir, resembling the
jing hardier, nity
iu Congress, with
zie Ross as a pear
, the Belle Lucra-
jweet, rich paar,"
to be discredited
nd it, but do not
I than in the past,
lit Growers' Asso-
l vigorous consti-
eurre Hardy,
the evidence by
irket sort. It will
;uch money in it as
at two extreme
F it with others,
CULTIVATION OF THE PEAR. 61
classed 09 " the best varieties." and by Mr. Usborne, at Arnprior, who refers to it
as one of two varieties only that are so far, ap,.arontly, doing well in his -for pear
culture-comparativoly unfavourable district, where any pear tree must, in order
to »»cceed, possess to a very large degree the element of hardiness,
o ukr '■ "* '"«ntioned by Mr. Arnold as a new pear, and " likely to become
The Howell receiveo only a word in passing from Mr. Jno. Graham as free from
blight during the period in which some other treos wore aftected. It is. however
" ''m;: »f hue flavour, whde the tree is hardy and yields a good crop. '
Ihe Flemish Beauty is a delicious pear, but, says Mr. Beadle : —
"Ih a very deHirablo pear for home uhb, but not profitable, eHpecially as nine ijeoole out
of every ten do not handle it properly; it Ib generally Hhipped to market too ripe and thJ
reMult iH that the consiKnee sends back only a lon>r bill of chargeH." ^'
With Mr Dempsey-although generally in his noighbr.urhood the Flemish
Beauty .hf« '/""« J«l -the fruit has, for some years, cracked so as to be haTdlv
distingiushable. Mr. Westland mentions it as peculiarly liable to the ravages of
^'"iv b *A^ w'"\ •'*"•'' ^'- ^""'^y '■"«''^'^« '* "' °»« "f the pears least srceSe
to bl ght. At Windsor, in Essex, its fault is that " it ripens too early," although
Mr. Dougall speaks of it as a hardy pear." Its hardiiess is further attested^
Its successful cultivation at Arnprior, in Renfrew. It appears to succeed well in
almost any pear-growing section. The report from the United Counties states
that t IS the only pear tried in that neighbourhood (Cornwall)
from blight "^ '""*^'"' y^^i^ties, is a pear of high quality but a great sufferer
The Beurre Bosc is a pear much appreciated where it can be grown, but is too
tender for the average Canadian climate. ^ '
The White Doyenne is a good marketable fruit when successfully grown but
^""^tfr^Ji"- ^"''^^'' 'r 7'ir' '''.^'''^' *° be reliable on economical grounds.'
The Grey Doyenne is less hable to disease, but the tree is a feeble grower
b„f n f ^"y^"»«du Cornice is mentioned by Mr. Dougall among the best varieties
but not alluded to by other witnesses. vant^ties,
The Louise Bonne de Jersey is frequently and approvingly mentioned and is
cultivated in so.no districts that demand a hardy tree to ensure success
variluL^;"!;;; hisr^Xdle'^ '^'- ""^"^^^ ^^ ^"^ -^ '^^ *^-« --^ p-^^^^^^
The Seckel is conceded by all to be a very fine pear and. in Mr Arnold's ev
penence 18. with the Tyson, leas subject to bli,^ht tha^n any vaHe"ies n ts grounds
Mr Cady considers it " the richest pear wo have." and agrees with Mr. Arnold as
titj^zT^B^z^r'' '""" ''^'*' ^" ^'^^'^ ^'^^ ^^ '' ^'- «-^--^ b/t^:
hiJ^^^ .I>«che88 d' Angouleme is an extremely popular pear. After speakin-r of the
Ss rto'sa^-'^ ^ ""^^'""^ ^^ '^'' ^'''''' d'Anjou in New York, MrVeadle
inH^ M- w^ T7f y ^^ h*^^- I ^"''^ «««" 1'»'« a number of pear orchard" ruined bvth^
pear blight, but I have never seeti one of that variety seriously affected It is no unoominn
thing for those pears to sell for 12i cents a piece on the PhilLdelpWa and New York mXtf
They are large sized, handsome pears, of fair flavour though not the hTghest quahty o7 f rSt. »
Both Mr. Beadle and Mr. Morris put it as only second to the Bartlett amona
^ WINTER VARIETIES.
BeaSays:-" ^'"* °^ ^^"t^"* ^»"«"es stands the Beurre d'Anjou, of which Mr.
"Following the Bartlett, I suppose the next best variety would be the Beurre d'Anjou ;
w
I
!
5
^ j j
1 1
M
1?
1
J
k
ONTABIO AOmcVLTURih COMmSSION.
W k^ZLXai^MTBt'dVe -t^°«'«W« P- 'o the grow..
^?lf,7,Ti° TF:. "^ r^ °' "l-'trating hi. remarks :_
willX'^tTchriSr"' ""'• """8''" "J""" "» l"g» .nd handsome pear that
in M^Tira jr^ttlL^ySrA'^rTr-" *"^ «™'
varieties. P^*°®^ " fourth on the list of the most profitable
PreSenfC-a^d^'^hL^^^ "-' ^" --P-^ -^^ the
, Mr. Leslie thinks ' ' it miluhel^Slil TI^ ':^""ded to in the evidence,
last mentioned suggestionTe connectstU thi V" *^" English market." In the
and expresses the opinion that these are tS onlv ^^^^^^^.^^^ Vicar of Winkfield,
to Great Britain, as'^the others do not carry we f "^^"'^^'^ ""' "^"^'^ ^^^^^^ '^^^P
-But of the Vicar, Mr. Beadle says :—
obt^ned. The fruit shlltrt^^^^^^^^^^^
pearb^uU:tT?XaLl:trVr^^^^^^^ ^^ri,*'^ "^^^'^^^ «^ ^--'T. - a fine
years old. But it is^;ery ShlTiteS bv ! ''*"" ""*^^ '' ^' ^^^^' ^^e^ve
says of it:- ^ ^^ esteemed by some growers. Mr. Dempsey
Eu^p'e. """""'' """ "■«^«"" *-' *» pear might be prohtably shipped to
h.;r„HS°.tre^i'dr4t".afe"' '"°"«° '---^ ---.ded
late pear. I have tried" ' ^ "" """ «°'"' ""*''"»?. " " &» best'^.Uho very
worS,ts.it'tr„"'Svtl;"°i&rBSlSv''"d'r t"'."" » •'-'
with^rpif^hftfi^'iSia'"^^^^^^^
fill ^nlt.Vof.Vn , r -u "" .'^?^"austed, and some hints nflo««aP,.,. to th^ ,,-
^- -_.!.....?,, on ot U1U30 varieties, which thn inCnrmo*.- ---—=— ^- co tne success-
the agriculturist to grow, will be next in orde" ^^'^^^^ ^^^'^ '"*y induce
I
m.
n fact it has sold at
ir 131) in the Boston
3 d'Anjou third on
teeps till Christmas ;
he grower.
•le hands of persons
I. large sized pear, of
differently from the
ed to hanj? too long
iree the fruit should
ollen sheet or some-
)lace until they are
ripen into a most
idsome pear that
tvould stand first
e most profitable
mpany with the
> evidence,
narket." In the
VAV of Winkfield,
sould safely ship
9 with. Once in a
ber of years after
m sandy soil, and
results might be
anuary, is a fine
is about twelve
Mr. Dempsey
Valines, because it
I, but when it has
lesh."
3ly shipped to
recommended
led, warm clay
very much."
•est of the very
soil is almost
lis pear.
o the success-
en may induce
1
CULTIVATION OF THE PEAR. 53
THE SOIL AND CULTIVATION FAVOURABLE TO THE PEAK
The sml best suited to the cultivation of the near is n»\i^ Aitr ' x i.
required by the apple. Apples as alreadv nninf£l ! ^ •., ^^ff^^e"* from that
soil, so long as they have a porous ubSl ? an? nul!*' ""il" ^'°^ ^" *'™°«t any
greater or less exteL under Srourabi: cirSstai^tt^^ *" ^
cultivation, a suitable soil is essential and a S ol«v f; ^^*'- ^"I *^^'f. Profitable
Owen Sound finds pears do extreS;^Tl1nrclL^^S ^^^^^^^^ %^-
Exc^pT to l:'tL'\t'ZTc:&i^^^^^^^^ ^"^r' ^« -^"-t^^i^
ing is generally confined t^the ao«ltaH^^^^^ '^ undesirable. Manur-
Dougall, formerly manured? bu? subs itu S InT f ^'^T .^'^^ ^'t"^««. Mr.
barnyard manure stimulated the tree to^o ^3^ !rn'Vr ^'\if'''f ^^^ ^«"ed
its wood in the fall. ° ""^^^^ * growth so that it did not ripen
PLANTING OUT.
and^rot^r* sr„f v^Sefi'trUr.^^^^^ '-»' "^ -* -^.
would give them. Dwarfs-that i, nSS StfS J ti. '"°" ''°''"' *»» ">«'
g^^ed ,„. 10 to 12 ,eet apan . i^o'^L'T^^^V^^S^Z^'ltli^Z'S
PEAR STOCKS.
stocI'^orSt tt'^ot* adS'oftf '1^ ''^'"'^ °^. "" '^^ - - the quince
be from a graft on the pafsTokwhie tt^ Swarf wi if b'""^\^ P^*^ *^- -^1
standards, rooting deeper and eatheS nonrii . i" ^"^ ''? ^^^ ^"^'^'^e- The
more hardy and endurSg. The dS on thf .X l'""^ ^ ^'''^'' ^''^' ^'^ ^^^
fact that they mature eariier-ofterbv two or thrp! "'^' ^'"V^P"^^" ^'■°'" *he
productive. Their greater susSbiHtvTn f J«f y^ars-and are exceedingly
mulching with manureTpilinH little pi^/n ^^^^^-^^V^e^ t^'^^^t either by
is again%emoved. The whole ma er nt rt^-^' *kI "'"''*'' Y^^''^ ^" *he spring
quince is one for intelligent Se^atirn Id d^^^^^ *h« P^^^^ stock and
opinions of some of tl e" experiS w^np«l„ " n "^'rv: Meantime, the following
be a guide to the novice' irprcSttr^l^^SVeS^a;?^-! ''' ^^^----^ -"
whi:Srrg^L\TslLidf fft ;'ere^;SnTa*n° ScTarTT-JH^" A^\^"--' ^^ *h-
I would plant them on the quince root Tt ornw/w Vi '""^T^"^ "^ *l}e Duchess d'Ang,„ileme
fave years sooner than the ISard If il^veriLTs it^^n "l?Tv '"'^V"" bearing three to
willlje perfect. If I were plar Mng the Bartlett T w«, 1 1 ^^ 'u'""^/' °"* «° 'hat the fruit
that one cannot give a categor calfnswer as whir^/hpT"^^^ ^T '^ "n? ^'^^ ?«*"• «t"°k, so
as a whole, I would sooner plant o^thTpear sto^k esDecLllv f^t" ^^^\ ^^^'""^ P^^"" ^^It^-'e
knowledge of the art. " ^ °'^' especially taking into account the present
an orcWdi:%^7tt^sS'tnllp'r "'1°^ *^ agriculturist intent on layin. out
pear stock standards Mr Arnold ^1! unqualifipd opinion in favour of the
work, but has "mported thetiyd i f\"''''' ^r"] ""^l^ *° 8^°^ P^^r srock fit to
admirably. He remarks 5- ""'"^ ^'^' '^"'^' ^^^^^ ^^ «^y« ^as succeeded
ito^^SnctTicWdd^ngFoTrdUTtinr^^^^^ i^^^^u^''^ -"<=»> prefer working
begins to bear immediatelv and vet throl . ^^ ^"T ^"^l"^ ^^^ ^^''f^^e so that the tref
standard trees. I wonM richer t-^-* S'h^ - T^' ^""^ ^^^ ^^""^ ^^^''^ ^hich W,l!
m robustness of character, /ou^ maf^^tn^l-ranfc-h'a;^^ whtTth"raTe%rwn"J„^
t:i*
64
ONTARIO AOBICULTURAL COMMISSION.
|! I.
l;i I i« . F
tt'ss ssSd'Sf. jr »«t ',S'.!» "'°* «"~ " «"•' '■"«"»- <■'"
and must be grafted on a hardv vicnrnnr . ! , t^ Y^" ?.*"* g^<^^ "" q»in°e
ference is given to standLS^ ^Bn' TS wen Sound ta«t« *^' ^"'"'^ '^"*"''*' P^^'
point in another direction. ' ^**® '''' experience seems to
but s'ome'tiStt^iirrhr eTof^fiat.%^^^^^ ^'^T^ P^"'^"^^ ^* eight or nine years,
depend on them in four or five years " ^ ' ^'^^^ '^ ^^^ «° '"'« "^^^^^ t'-ees you may
quinJe*- ''"'*^''^ ^^'^"^^ *° ^" *^« -i'i— the following succeed well on the
Bonne de Jersey. Duchess d'AngoXme '^'""'' ^""^ ^^y^'^"^' I^°"'««
WiNxp Beurre d'Anjou, Beurre Diel, Oswego Beurre, Vicar of Winkfipl^
pensable. The removal too by thinn^ncf ./ symmetrical appearance, is indis-
enhance the ,„^U, e, tketira^'J^ Vu^elrtul t„?S*e jiLC^^'
THE JARKET FOR PEARS.
cons?mptn'of?hfcS ^o^^l'l ^'t^'' '« mainly looked for abroad the
From Owen Sound, Lake Huron and th^« w T^ "'"'^' ?^ "«°«««ity. be at home,
found in the great AmericfncTtSstimPtr'n "^"r*'''j '""^" ""t^«* ^^^ b«
west, where pfar cultme S be all' hT:^7' will create a demand in the North-
the Vicar ofVinkfi^Sr theVtephine de mXTs an^the'^r " ^'^-l^-^*'--
suggested as possibly suitable for t^ English markef Bnt^r''"?-.\'^' ^""?
The prioe of pears appears to run fern sf f,^1P' t'"!"? '"?V" '"" '""'"S-
.arieties, unde'r the i,Xence°oU speS d,Va°„d%£ Sg'in^t*""^" '"""""»
PICKING AND KEEPING PEARS.
kepf aSlS. 'r rtrint'L"trBeu?re"^''' ^^^^^^ T^^^^' ^^^^^^ -<i
the time for picking and the mol If if ^Jlairgeau, Mr. Beadle's advice as to
be picked when, on 1 Li^the Iruit ,^2 hanS".. ^"f '^^ ^" ^'^'' ^'^^^^^
from the tree. Mr. Beadle's DlanTeonn.kt ^•^'?^V*^^ '**''" ^^^^^^^^V separates
with an old carpet or Sen doth to exS.JpTh '"^ ^'"'^'l? ^'^""^ P^^'^^ «°^'«r«d
then placed in a' warm room th y wi in a short ti"! ""if '\'^ are wanted. If
their full flavour and ripeness If ■ nlniL ,? time-a few days at most-gain
be PuUnttiJl;^L1eT^bTS^'F pl^e^it^^ P^-T- The fruitlhou.d just
weight of the fruit presses upon he '^ovJer krs tooSiS'" ^ w.'' H^^'- ^"l''^'^'^ barrel the
must be shipped hard fJnough to reach th^Ldestfna.npL u^^"" ?h.ppi„gfor market they
cultivators fiave now got pL that difficu yl^ h S^\he W^^^^^ Im^vme mo,t
picked before it separates readily from the tree Ti Tnav L .,a.i i u ^f "^" '^""'^ ^e
grown, and even then it will ripen up in the bari^l withTf.i^ gathered when about two-thirds
nice fruit, though I prefer it It full size." ^''"^ ^*''"*"'' ''"'^ '^^''"'"e altogether a
Bur, as a rule, all pears sliuuld be picked " a little on the green side."
•■1
great influence over
cceed well on the
CULTIVATION OF THE PEACH.
CULTIVATION OF THE PEACH.
55
The region adapted to successful and profitable peach culturn in Onfo • •
more limited in area than that of the Dear Rv fL +^! i *^""Y '" Ontario is much
peach orchards are to be found ^n the Sara Venins.?l^'^f ^"*^ T^* numerous
become an enormous industry ReHable S?«M^„ .f ' Z^^\t ^^^''^ S"^^^'"? ^aa
are those of other fruits bS somPd^inf+K ^'''f' '="^*"''*^ ^^« wanting, as
formed from the fact tL fJoTthe S-i?^! ^'^'P *^^ ^"«">««« "^4 be
baskets were shipped last seaso^ of n.3!^ Railway Station alone, some TofoOO
miles east, southSwe of the Watirn thicf/rnV'^.^.'^iT ^''^. "^^ ^ ^""P^^ «f
of Lake Erie, in Norfolk and Elgirpeache" can ie nrofi^^M^'^'iV ^^^"^ *^« '^^'^^
number are grown. There areTnmr.r^n<.1^ ui PT*'',^^^ cultivated, and a good
the County of Oxford "and tn S and f1 T'?^'t " *^^ ««"*h«™ half of
they are nit grown so 'extensively as they Sh'tTe Y?«^"' '"1 ^'''''^ ^'^'^ «
on the part of the cultivators nS t^anv .fnl^.f.tr!' *.'^ ^"^'"^ *° ^»"* ^^ energy
were seen by the CommissSners ripS" on tfe uL^'Zi "'''if "*f- , ^'"« ^^«^
visit, and in Essex we have the tTiZ^f Mr DouS fW 5'"* ^"ring their
far more profitable than apple growinraUbm,; v. VvT ^ *^''* "peach growing is
and that it is even more profitable^Ctltr/^ ^^ "'"'S '" "°* 1"'*« «« certain/'
the lake, peach culture! on a^^^Se^S^^^^^^ „^"' "' T '°™'^ ^^^'^ ^^^^
carried on profitably in either LSton or MiSi' g^*^"*"^ janishes. It cannot be
counties, unless we except oLsrotrnWaKn ''k^ '"'iI? ^^^ ^"l*"^ south-western
enterprising and enthusSsroTcha 3isT cSs^hardu^,^ ^^^^^^^^
has grown not only sufiicient for h a K omI aIT ^ u . , '".^ ^^"^ '*^* ^^w years he
At Owen Sound a^few aTgrown Lt^^^^^^^^ but also for shipment elsewhere.
Mr. Allan says •- ^ although not very successfully, but at Goderich
both L'lo^lnTiTlS.^'T^^'t^^T^^^ *^« ^--th of peaches
between the lakes, the northern shore rfLake^EHe and rsmalT d'^t.'^'' '\l' *^« P«"'»S
the Georgian Bay. Various attempts have been m.Hpf„ ? small district on the south shore of
the tree will live and thrive but tEe sevlrif v nf ?h» ^^/^^^''^^te it elsewhere, and for a time
natural home of the peach i NLtherrSshwherrih/^ *^" ^••"'' ^uds. The
cold winters-though the therm/.SSter does'not gS.wn to' W hM ^""^ "'''' """f "^"' ^'^^''P
summers. With n the limited area T hava m!^„f -^ i *° "^" "^'°^ zero-and quick warm
the United States. wT get peaches iZnT^Hr'^^'M" ''\'J ^?'"?^*« '» P«*«h gr!.wi„g Tth
ci J.TrStfwIirffltfeot'' a'loIrdemS ^.t"" "IT- -i?"""-'", African
SOIL AND ASPECT.
clay'oJdrp^tl -'"^fk'^^^^^^^^^^^ I*-f -* thrive on a heavy
quotations from the evidence of ex IrLti V" "^""^ """ ^''^^^^^ ««'l- " These
character of the soil to b.f Sctld ^ A to 1 J/n?'^^'"7'' sufficiently indicate the
"TfT , ^ «-" o<. seiectea. As to the question of aspect Mr Beadlp onva •
If.I wereplantinsraneanhnrrhord T.f„..Mr^-f . ,, i' ^'' ""; ^eaaie says .—
retard, a ,n spring, for if the blossoms a;e not tevent'erf^^^^ ''•^""'" ^"'^"''^ '* '« ^^ere
Bpnng they are apt to be caught by the late fr^.^lti SlTcedraTpL^cV^rcha 'C:.
66
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
mg on the north side of huildings, forests, etc., and sheltered so as to have their m-owth
retarded in the spring, are much more likely to give -us a good crop of fruit. One cause of the
cnldSri'ni fl^w crop is that the warm suns of early spring start the sap, then come* a
cold night, and the blossom bud is killed before it opens at all. I therefore prefer an aspect
by which the trees are sheltered from the rays of the sun in the early spring. "
The peaches mentioned by name in the evidence are as follows
Early Canada. Early Crawford. Early Purple
Hales Early. Louise. Early Rivers
Waterloo.
Alexander.
Amsden's June.
Wilder.
Beatrice.
Old Mixom.
Smock.
Sixteen varieties in all.
Mountain Rose.
Honest John.
Late Crawford.
The Early Purple was once regarded as one of the earliest varieties, but is now
superseded by others.
The Early Canada was a chance seedling of Hales' Early, and has just made its
appearance m the market. It is one of the earliest, if not quite the earliest, to ripen.
The Waterloo is anotlier new and very early variety ; so, too, is the Wilder
which 18 a good deal like Amsden's June.
Old Mixom is named by Mr. Pettit in company with the Smock as a profitable fruit.
The Early Rivers is spoken of by Mr. A. M. Smith as a very promisin^r variety,
coming in right after the Early Beatrice. °
Mr. Morris mentions the Mountain Rose as one of the most profitable varieties
this year.
Honest John has a passing mention only from Mr. Toll.
Of the more largely grown peaches Hales' Early is now beaten, both in point of
time and quality, by some of its own offspring. It is, however, needed, with others,
to maintain a continuous supply through the season. Mr. D. Caldwell says of it :—
"Hales' Early is about the most profitable of any for market, though the fact that it rots
so badly detracts from its profitableness."
In Norfolk it is regarded as one of the two most profitable varieties, and is the
peach that ripens earliest in Oxford.
The Alexander is another very early peach. In Goderich, Mr. Allan says :—
"One of our best growers says he would plant the Alexander, Hales' Early, and Early
Crawford for profat before any three that could be named."
In that district the Alexander, with most growers, is the earliest to ripen. Mr
Westland says : —
''I think the Alexander is the most profitable of the early varieties," and it is
the first of all to rijien at Grimsby.
Amsden's June is not so early as some others, but appears to have rather im-
posed, by its name, on the confidence of fruit growers who find it ripen later than
Its designation implies. In Elgin, however, it seems still to retain its reputation as
the first to ripen there.
In Essex, the Louise is a favourite, although not so early as the Alexander. As
a choice vaiiety it has brought $3.20 per bushel, for shipment, at Goderich. Mr
p. Caldwell, who grows the Beatrice in Waterloo, had pulled some of the fruit ten
days previous to giving his evidence on the 18th of August. The Beatrice is
mentioned in several places with favour.
But the peach that undoubtedly outbids all others in popular favour is the
Crawford. Mr. Beadle " thinks the Early Crawford is the most profitable peach
yet known.
" Crawford's Early," says Mr. Allan, " is looked upon as being, on the whole,
the most profitable."
^ " J*^!. "l?^\ profitable peaches," says Mr. DougaU, "are the Alexander and
Crawford 8 Ea^ly.
Mr. Pettit says : —
"The early and late varieties this tseason have been the most profitable, and on an
average, I think are always the most profitable. I don't know that Early and Late Craw-
N.
> have their jfrowth
it. One cause of the
he sap, then comes- a
fore prefer an aspect
ng."
s : —
'urple,
livers,
till Rose.
John,
•awford.
pieties, but is now
has just made its
i earliest, to ripen.
00, is the Wilder,
8 a profitable fruit.
)romising variety,
>rofitable varieties
1, both in point of
eded, with others,
Iwell says of it : —
the fact that it rots
irieties, and is the
p. Allan says : —
3' Early, and Early
ist to ripen. Mr.
rieties," and it is
) have rather im-
fc ripen later than
I its reputation as
e Alexander. As
t Goderich. Mr.
le of the fruit ten
The Beatrice is
•
iar favour is the
t profitable peach
ng, on the whole,
3 Alexander and
)lital)le, and on an
ly and Late Craw-
CULTIVATION OF THE PEACH.
yX,?arSyt:H:SaS; ^"'^Orawted brings higher prices, but does „„.
^ Th?jSefSS^rtfe'elJ^aV&^^^^ ?r "-r'"'- W
that on tho whole the Crawford, stlkd St am"ng peliSel °°' °' °°" """'»'
PLANTING AND CULTIVATION
tioe MfrrsSrsa;."-""" *° f""" '"" P'"" '". ""' «' the latter prac-
.ri'aJpSeX^?ireTw1;,■V:rfi™ ^^^^^^^ apple culture, that peach
wMe^the^pplos are connng into ''^^^^r^^ Sl:;:tt:::^j::ZtT,
w»K,?stfe!:,iKtlhnr^^
hi. a i^'^Sl:^£^:^£i-;z;::^js:^^^^ —
THE YELLOWS.
More fatal than the Firo TiHf»Kf +« iu
peach has to contend with is the Ss a se ktw'nl's ?L Si ""^* T^^"^ ^"^'"y ^^e
parts of Niagara district its effects have been moTe thL^f n'' ^.^^'^'^""y in some
vicinity of Drummondville the peach orchardThlvf '"'''"^ disastrous. In the
diseased trees being rooted ud arth« nnh . ? ^^^^ "^^''^^^ '"^^ destroyed, the
Pettit gives the f olfowing t c^nVi? ^e VeS^ 1^^"^"^ ^'^ «^ *he plagu'^B. ' Mr'
first''4Ssf irth*:ir^.'?r;Sl1el:s^^^^ Ti ^-- *^>^ ^^"-- This disease
find any tree recover after it has once beeratX^w,^':^"?.^'"^'- i '^^'t think yoi wfll
lave !ui„ aiounj tinj roots ot staue trees anH fho,, ,„o. ° , - *" '"^^t^ts and bees. Wp
known any injury to result from people eat^ntrthl Z *Pj\»''«ptIy very healthy. I have not
fruit IS grown it is not generally^eaten "Sf only relTY^n ^" **"' ^"'-'^j'^'' ^''^^^ "h«
y .. juiie oniy remedy i can recommend, and which I
68
ONTABIO AOBICULTUBAL COMMISSION.
have carried out to a certain extent, is to chop the diaeased trees down and bum them u« at
vaw/'nf' T^ ''"• ^ JrT"^ ^^' '*'*'«'*''« *« infectious. It has become very n ™h m^re re-
onh . rl*V*'f '■ ^^'^% y^*P *K" ^** **>« "'^t ^« «aw of it. I think it was broS to
our locality by trees purchase.! from the other side. We have been cu tivatinJ Deaches
t Ther«"irrn::*^ years but we have grown neaches more or less ever sTnce I can Lmem!
trL X^ *' "° T.^fi"' "^ detecting whether tlie tree is infected with the disease when sent
from the nursery It does not manifest itself the first year either in the wood or roots The
next year after the disease has made its appearance, or the second yen There appears a lis
colouration. I have only had two trees affected on my place, and tL I removeTaronce "
Unfortunately one effect of the disease on the peach is to make it more early
saleable, and as the possession of the earliest supply of this much coveted summer
fruit means high prices and large profits, there is a direct inducement to fruit
growers, if not very scrupulous, or to merchants, if ignorant of the symptoms or
greedy of gain, to put infected peaches into consumption. It is noticeable that in
the peach dist, lets people do not, Mr. Pettit says, usually eat the diseased fruit.
But there is evidence that they are shipped to Toronto and other great consurainj/
centres in large quanities. i-unouimng
Mr. A. M. Smith says :—
" I saw some of the diseased peaches in a store in Toronto lately. The dealer said that thnv
Temn^ ?r T'^Vf P-?"*^?!' ."°^ ''"°^\"» *h«y ^^'^ """^"""^ f^"it- There is no troub e in
utZabnnf J^nlf ^'"^'•v ^' '' "^^^^^ ^^''^'H'^ °' ^P""^'^ ^'^^ red, and red inside, partic"
ularly about the pit, and clings more or less to the pit. If slightlv diseased the flavour rnLv
and ci^ie'^s'^n'f^h'' ^1T"^ ^"' '^^-^ ^i- ^^%^''^^ b« '"^JP'^ and wortht Many ow^^
1 thinW ff^, "***"" ^"""^ prohibited their sale in their markets under heavy penalties, Ind
inhabitants " "'^" "*"' '"''"^'^ ^^ *^' '*'"'' *^^-^ ^''"^'^ confer a Lnefit'^A the
Mr. Pettit adds the following comfortable information :—
"When I was on the wharf here (Toronto) one day this summer. I noticed that abm,t
two-thirds of the fruit exposed for sale was diseLed. I should think thesrpeaches were un
wholesome. I should not care to eat them myself." peacnes were un-
it is quite possible the dealers on the wharf, or the Toronto storekeeper were
unaware of the character of the fruit they were distributing, but the disease is
clearly one easily enough detected by any fruiterer or orcliardist once made ac-
quainted with Its characteristics. The fatuous stupidity, or worse of some
growers, too, IS almost past comprehension. *- ^» . »"'»«
Mr. A. M. Smith says :—
.. " '^^^ §!^^''!' ^?'"^*;3? ^*^''y rapidly. I planted an orchard with a man four years acn !«.,<■
XT/"-fwK^'"'^n ^^'■'? y«,Tv.?'°' *hi« last fall, there was one tree whi Jh I s^w ll
aSowf iY'.*'' *^'r"^r- ^ ^''^^ ^*"^*" •^^^^ " """^ *i"^"' but he said it was a pit^ Tud
allowe, lit to stand. The next season there were twelve trees affected by the disease and the
SnallrSed" "'" "'°"' '"" ^''"''"^- ^'"^"^ '^''' ^' ""* ^ ^""'^'^ tree out of the 250
It is rather satisfactory to hear that the obstinate man has been pursued by the
Nemesis he invited in spite of warning, but unfortunately his punishment was in
all probability, shared by scores of unoffending fruit growers. It is suageated that
birds and bees carry the infection from tree to tree. Boys are also stated to be
busy assistants in the work of mischief. Mr. Morris says :—
"It is generally acknowledged that the disease can be propagated from the pits It i«
customary for boys to gather peach pits and dispose of them to men, who again seU them to
grtherpL from"'- ' '' ^^"""'' ^'"'' *"'' °"'"«''''y"^«» «h>^"ld be cautious whereThe?
Between birds, bees, boys, stupidity, and avarice, the peach orchards of On-
tario stand a poor chance, if no one comes to the rescue. Mr. Morris and othpr.,
urge legislation. He says :—
"We have tried to do something for the extermination of the yellows, and I would like to
urge the importance of having some compulsory measures taken to prevent its extentfon
Theonlythingyoucan do is to pn.hibit the importation of trees from localities where tTe
disease is known to exist. That, of course, will be a difficult matter to do. ThrWis atu e
of Michigan has passed a bill compelling parties to cut diseased trees down. We tried to in-
corporate Bometh.ng of that kind in the bill for the suppression of the black knot, but it was
nv'
wn and bum them up at
me very much more pre-
[ think it waa brought to
)een cultivating peaches
ever since I can remem-
th the disease when sent
the wood or roots. The
?n there appears a dis-
■ I removed at once."
to make it more early
luch coveted summer
inducement to fruit
of the symptoms or
t is noticeable that in
it the diseased fruit.
;her great consuming
'he dealer said that they
There is no trouble in
, and red inside, partic-
seased, the flavour may
orthless. Many towns
er heavy penalties, and
confer a benefit on the
', I noticed that about
these peaches were un-
to storekeeper, were
;, but the disease is
rdist once made ac-
or worse, of some
lan four years ago last
tree which I saw was
iid it was a pity, and
>y the disease, and the
und tree out of the 250
leen pursued by the
punishment was, in
It is suggested that
■e also stated to be
i from the pits. It is
'ho again sell them to
le cautious where they
eh orchards of On-
. Morris and others
■s, and I would like to
irevent its extension.
11 localities where tlie
do. The Legislature
)wn. We tried to in-
ilttck knot, but it was
CULTIVATION OF THE APUICOT, NECTAUm, ANn PLUM 59
any par icular district there will probably not hJ7^}^^ ^'^^^ P^^''^ g'-^^ers of
base as to run the risk of disastersTSlf and ^^ .''"fu '\^" «" '^^^'^ "^ so
rJ'.V.^'i"^ in his orchard affected S«'^„' '"^ *^^ P"^-
But the cultivation of the peach is not hS it i '"^ ^''^^^^'^ ^'^'^ *« market
and the evidence already quoted show that tV r ^''T'^ ""' ^ «i"«l« district
present. Legislation is useless, if the kw enacfpH d^"^"' /'•"" ^^'' ^'''''^ '« «^«r
port of the community, and especially of those fo'wb""* '"""^"^ *^« ^^^'^y «»P-
been placed on the Statute book. We hav«Tn n . ^"'^ ^'P^'^'*^ ''«»««* i* has
suppression of the Canada Thistle hZJl 7 ^""^"T *" excellent Act for the
he husbandman, the thistle ciop is aWsarfl''^^ *" ^^P^^ *he labol o?
twenty. By-laws have been enacted in^n.t.i °"^ '" nmeteen townships out of
mg beasts, but if people do not turn out thet sr.7/'^"'^^P *" ^^^t^ain wander-
not because of those numerous and weU drawi bt I ^'^^ °" *^« roadsides it is
th. sS^^i: theTiitttosI £XeSvtV'"T *^« ^^^ «^— i"
^^nsl^Lrir^^ the cases of diseased fruit
would have a very healthy eSc u^oz, ifc wh^'"'"^'.! ^^ ^^- ^- M- Smith
the fraud or too anxious to make Hrofit out "f I« *'^ «^ther unable to discove^
to be parties to it. * P °°^ """^ °* *he pseudo-early peach, to refuse
Of.. . ■ ™^ APRICOT AND NECTARINE.
Of these fruits Mr. Beadle says •-
This statement nearly teD-pspn fa n,„ i i.
vation in Ontario. There a^nea s to l! '*''*' "^ *P"°«* ^"d nectari ne euk T -
not be cultivated wherever Z 1 , ""^ ?^«"" ^^^^ bruits so delicious shm. Id
follow a plentiful proSon'titr he re^lT of' nT d ^ ^ ^^* demand Tsut
at their cultivation are being made in the Pod"!- "/^^^f*^ Pnces. Some attempts
60
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
^'foHowi?-' *^''' *'" "° ^''' *^'" thirty-two varieties referred to in the evidence,
Lotnhftrd.
Pond's Seedling.
Coe's Golden Drop.
Fellenberg.
Green Gage.
Peach Plum.
Jefferson.
Yellow Gage,
McLaughlin.
Bradshaw.
Smith's Orleans.
Imperial Gage.
Washington.
Common Blue.
Ouillin's Golden Gage.
Prince Engelbert.
Magnum Bnnum.
Reine Claude de Bavay,
Royal Hative.
Wild-goose Plum.
Damson.
Columbia.
Greenfield.
Quebec Plum,
victoria.
Yellow Egg.
General Hand.
Diamond.
Prince of Wales.
Guthrie's Apricot.
Brandy Gage.
Glass's Seedling.
The cultivation of the plum being universal, the question of selection will
fnTetail tkf Ledts oT*tr • ^' T' '"T'T^ "^ ^^'^ instancerinsW of'notic'g
m detail the ments of the several varieties, be well to turn to the evidence of tho
respective witnesses, and see what, from their experience of soil and cUmato has
been the choice they have made. It is impossible to refer, however to Xm'cuT
ture without at once encountering the curculio, its bitte;est ^nemy altC^ah as
already stated, the subject of insects affecting fruit will be dealt S^sCratefy
THE PLUM ORCHARD.S AND VARIETIES CULTIVATED.
Above all other portions of the Province, the Owen Sound district excels in
the cultivation of the plum. The soil is a clay loam, resting on limSone rtk
The rot IS the chief trouble that assails the plum cultivator^n th rreS ami
that not to an alarming extent. Black-knot is not a serious evil the?e' The
Sr Rnv f^ "°* ^'* ":'?' its appearance. The varieties of plunis mSoned by
^l' Z'j r^r^'l^'t'^^^^ *^^. ^'•">* g^«^«r« oi the district, as grow^ there
are. the Lombard and Pond's seedling, described as " very good plums^r shin'
ping ; Coe's Golden Drop "always saleable ;" the FellenbSg, ^'TZune pfum
which IS very good," ''can be eaten either fresh or dried," is " a sweet n"ce pkm
e1 SlT H™™. *^V*r' "''J, '^''^y ■'" *^he McLaughlin, WashTngton Yello;
sfei?Xr tlSrareZlled"'"%''r^^ ^'^ ^Z'^^' '^"^ *^^«^ --* '^ -*- -^
Biioiuy alter tiiey are pul led. The Diamond is recommended as "one of the bp-ft
for exporting," and tlie Victoria, Mr. Roy advises, " should be pTanteTverV laLelv
as It IS very good for exportation." Of the trade done Mr. Koy ^aks a« SK-
plum trtsXm .5o%rtoortJee:TslTL:et^'Tr-^ .'^^^ planted some thousands of
Simensions This summer in Owen Sound Thf! is becoming to be a trade of large
usual'lvtveXriSl "l^tlet "rirtJl^se'prre Slf 'l^* '"if ^^'^« ^° ^^^ *'^-
French plums they would look as wel 'llie F^ll.nL^L f f^.T ^\^^ '*'"^ P''°'=««^ »« 'he
ever seen. The pranes of commerce are laSl ovl w^.t ^ ^'''*' ""I*- 'u ^^'f' ^^^.^ P''""^ ^ '"^^e
in the Fellenberg no sugar is rXiire^Ind Hp™ v "^"""t ^^'^h makes them sweet, but
has been recommended by theTruFt Grow^^A L '7 «weet after being dried. This plum
was the only exhibitor of thL plum for soZ vtnr^ h"°.'**'''''' *"'i '*f •^'^^^'^ '« increasing, I
It might b/grown to a large ^.Z^lnZl fprofit '' ""^ ^°" ^"^ '' ^^^""''^ ^''"^ ^"^ *^«^«-
ION.
'ed to in the evidence,
'olumbia.
ri'eenfield.
luebec Plum,
'ictoria.
'ellow Egg.
eneral Hand,
'iamond.
rince of Wales.
uthrie'H Apricot,
randy Gage.
ion of selection will
le, instead of noticing
the evidence of the
soil and climate, has
3wever, to plum cul-
; enemy, although as
It with separately.
TED.
nd district excels in
1 on limestone rock.
■ in this region, and
us evil there. The
plums mentioned by
rict, as grown there,
;ood plums for ship-
erg, " a prune plum
"a sweet nice plum,
Washington, Yellow
5 must be eaten very
as "one of the best
planted very largely,
speaks as follows : —
ted some thousands of
to be a trade of large
I many as 2,00U bushels
listrict of Owen Sound
bas been about a dollar
' all the plums I have
o. There is no particu-
spoiled ones, and even
creasing the demand
Iried state. Of this
se who do grow them
e same process as the
ihan any prune I have
lakes them sweet, but
ing dried. This plum
nwth is increasing, I
ilanted here and there.
;he mild climate of
also mentioned by ^_
lies he is acquainted ^g
the plum so much, "
CULTIVATION OF THE PLUM.
S; vli^XTthtei'^Sf ot^^^^^^^^ '\ -« -»-d«d -her as a wel-
down the trees. But whe^the fruitTowers of Hn^'^'^l^ '" ^^'^^^ «« *° ^'^^^
hm out their plum crops, had a lit e'nToTe 'experience ^f^V ^"'^ '^ '"u^"^«"* *«
the partnership unprofitable. Working on shares wifh I '"''?^'?' ^^^y ^o""^
growers found all the capital and labou? and SmT ^ f ™T*' *'^** ^^e plum
all events, he has effected so great a chanrfh,;/ k '^^^^^oyed all the fruit. At
profusion, their cultivation isTc ared tol unnrofiS ^^""if T^ ^" '^' ^'^'-^'
not. How shall we thin out the Dlums ? bnf "[IP'^""',^^. «, and the question now is
And they give up the answer in maTy cases in Teli" ""t.**^^" '^"'^ '^' «««""« ?
back to the cultivation of the pluni ^ '"'P'*''^- ^^'^ ''«* '« ^Iso a draw-
AUan'Ly^ot'it ?- " ^" ^^^'^^'""'^^ -«^*-' ^ut does not do much mischief. Mr.
■^^^l^vlipX^^^^^ enemy, thou.h -.e
bursts, and cover the wouncT w th salt H«l^? advantage to cut it early, before the knot
erally. is sufficient. We S^o to ^ho" ''*''"• ""^u"'" '>*^' '» Prosecute. A warnh?^ in
kindly the harm he is doiig to'hims iVaKt'her"^ T'^''^^, "'?^'*'^d '' is found, and Tell ^C
bl.k..not on all varieties of ,^Z^{^ "^^ZZ^^J^^ ^^^
^^^: ^^^^i:^^T:r.C%l^^^^^^ ^-p, the several
«eedh„g, nameless as yet. Mr. Allan thus flludes to ft - ^^""^ °^ "" " * ^^^^^^
k; I, 1^*™' *^^ gentleman who had it first caK R? u ,P™PagatinS largely from it
he has the recognized Bingham plum All that hVt "^^'l'"" ^P^"'**' Favourite, though
common where a farm had formerlvTen The oon^fn o"f k' ^>°",' i' •^- ^^at he found it on a
go wdd. He found this tree and transSnted it"' ^ "' ''*'''"« ^'^'' ''^^ ^^^^ ^^'^ allowVd to
W the market and most marketable plums Mr. Allan says -
account ofPrToo^Sp^SVuXe" ''''"ATAt* r ^'%^°'"™- Blue and Lombard on
|e.f ^nTt^e ^^^^1^^^^%^^^^^^ Frut S
62
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
-rewih ?nT?he^''S n'lJ'""''^ '""^^f ?« •'«"'«™°"- b"t the treo i« «o slew of
Beadle has a commendatory word ' The jtukh T' T"^ '^' McLaughlin. Mr.
equal in quality to others, ^'sritt Orltnl' '^tV^roTu^tiTe'-^^T^^^
18 the most product ve of all varietips Anri th., p ..? I"^"J ^ ," ^"® Lombard
to it for proAt as any ThTZtZr^^U^^ff Common lilu-j plum com^s as near
^2 to $3 per bushe^" As in , Inv nfh f , ^'^T^ i" .*'^*^ ^'"^'^'''^ ««^^-" i« f^om
the Damson cTass is ahead Tmn!f ^^^^'^v '' •'"*^ P'"'"' P'-^'^'^bly a seedling of
Beadle says of tE plum?- '* ^"^ '*' ^'"'"'^'""^^ '^"'^ productiveness. Ilr.
cla«:;j;/ur. wh"ch7trnk''l".^rb*e"vrat*%tlT.^ %«^-r"^"^ "^ ^''^ ^*™«-
qualities, and partly because the fruit seemn In )f» «v^ f account of its immense cropping
does not thin it more than enough to benefiTth« rron T^1 'V'?,.*^^ '''?*• ^^en the curculio
prea.nt. It originated in the ShbouSoVof S ^Tt'.*'""'' *^** '* ''*" *"/ "'^'^^ ''t
of that place, that he should cultivate tnmrl Thl ' *"'' ^ ''"^^ «"KBe8ted to Mr. Moyer,
P JL^qti^t^it^^^^^^^^^^ ^J:ty^^-^- «^ *^e --
frequSVtXeXin &[; t^^fch^l/tVr^^ tT^' ^^* ^"^^ '^ ^^^ -«• ^^
curculio takes its share of the fruit stniHlril " 'l'» ^y.^a^^Y cultivated. The
said to grow wild with us, and o Sen erow in th«T' ''^""^'^"tly- Jt may aln.ost be
harvested and marketed, and sdl well in CtreTl Whtn'tl "T"""?- ^^"^ ,*'•« ^^f^^la^ly
good dessert plum. The skin is nerhaDs Tl?Hwki u i ". **'? '^''^^ '^. "«* overloaded it is a
able. I don't know of these being cuftivatiHf„Jn5 il"' ""* f-"""^!' *" "'*>^e i* objection-
noticed what were called Damsous iS thev^iow i/''^ M^'f '"" "^ *^^ country; T have
say where it came from ; it is p:ouli'ar"o ttUnty of fee ^Edward"''"" ' "^ ""* *^'« *"
curc1.1^"c7nnotgeUnto^t.'^ "" ""'■ ^^'"^^^^ P^^^«^« ^^ *h« P^^- " - ^tiff the
Plum cultivation is profitable in Prince Edwar<l Countv The Hr. ^ t ^ .
Mr. ijougall fhus refers to plum culture in his county (Essex) •-
vate tL'whitol^i;!^ E"on1m''rSw%'.^'k' T'^."" ^'^'^ ^-^^ ^ ^"'^ -Hi.
Washington is also rather tSrSin^fe^^^ '^* tender tree, and the
The Jefferson is one of the best The Prince FnSLSTn r ^^? -PI""'- ^"* '■'^*'^«'' *«"fl«r.
lent plums. Teople will not buy thrEnS Grfen Pn^rlP.f *^"' ** ^R"9«t are both excel-
want the larr.e plums. The Brandv Oa^f f^no -!f ?k . *^ 7^"l* "J""^' *'* '* '» t'^« «'»all = they
The Lombard ij. withoulex^St Sh^rttlt tC"'"^' '^"'^ "^^^^ «""~»
healthy'whrplaSdt Tan/l 'it" arf lTIli%: 'tTT^^Tv'?^™.-. '^'^^ trees are not so
The best plan of avoiding insect pests is t. ijln Hp L vf*" u"J "ack-knot and the curculio.
the8icklytreesareactacked£Pfitt. W.caSSa^^^^^^^^^
the country, at from $2 to $i ner bushel ^ «9 w ft! '^ V ^ ^® ''fS '"^"^ '" ""r P^rt of
The Lombard plum sells at from IT'S) to li Plm„ ''" ""'• a"'^ f* l*','' the large ones,
attend to it. t think the whoT of thi<, wf, l.„ ^ " growing is profitable if people only
growing, except the loose sandy soils." penmsula would be favourable to plum
Here, too, are seedlings of no mean pretensions. Mr. Dougall says of them •-
somesf plum rw'^ri^^'Tar^'ia^'rarl^a' f '^^^ T.^ \V^^ ' ^^""^ >« '^^ ^and-
with a p^ale carmine cheek tLt juTc,, es Jn wh^^ iTr befs Vt ?J''^^"»'" «.';»»■". yellow,
young wood of the previoPs vear. It is not wdl known ^^nH T i ""t •?• *''^' '} ^""'^'^ *"> the
I have several other fine seedlin-s one of wfXo^ t^.u' ^ I I'ave not disposed of any trees,
the Green (lage. I hav e been exnerrmentSf.Lf, ^f *'? *' *V Washington and rich., than
the Wild Goose plum, of wWch Srar^L^^S'^lT ^n'"^ a"- T"''"^" "T^ ^-^-^^
- — R..I1 — e purpi'T aiiu ihu otnor red. The
t8 the Jeiferaun hc *
CULTIVATION OF THE PLUM.
lurite of the same
lum, "so stiff the
63
purple JH worthlenH, bnt the red is a very nice fniH The fmif tn^^„ f,.^^ fi. *
wh«n ripe, if to„che<l with the finwer. It i" a He^cim.H fn.it a ml vlrv .?. . ^ t?" "**,""*■
I liave that is bearinit is in inv kitchen ^/JrA wV,!, A / '"'^ '""^''>'- ^*"' ""Iv on«
know whether it in liable o\he curculio or S i" '" ""-V ^"^ ?^ *.*"' ^"''t- *•" ^ '^'> ""*
varieties. The earlies^Im Ih the Xyal Hative."' '""''"" '* *""'^' ''•' " ""'^'^ «" «»»"«'
Mr Leslie, of Toronto, giving the results of his experience, says —
trees iort^t C^ouit'lirrmliuI'^nS^^^^^^^ wVhf "*• T' '\' ?P'-«'""""'^' ''«-'^-' ^^^
curcnlio ; even the wild plum U not ^her™'a f "^V"' ^'''^ *^' '* "* f"*""f '^»^"'"*'t *»>•
Lombard, «o that they K IwavH Lr a r^l nntitT 7":^ '«« v«ry prductive. such as the
have found the best vLietiPH fT^thir Hecti^ /^' b-fr t'^^'J'^'T ^^^ 'r*^/" "^ ^'''« !'««»• We
GaKe. BradHhaw. Prin Je o WaleM. Refne cL,"de ,le B™^^ p"'p' Y^""- ^'X*? Jjnperial
fine lot of plnn.H. and all thene varieSes do we Vml ^re'reiZ bW hlr.i?" Th ^'''p ^M* *" •"
At Ottawa a seedling seems to hold possession of the field. Mr. Bucke says • -
Cr.untv. and ho faV has answered exce'ditrfvwen an \}77u-^ ^* ^^^ ''■•*•''«'' '" I'^"***""
North-West. It is beinL- pronlated bv M^^ rlu I '''" ^. 'i'^'"'? ',**"'^ *he climate of the
Hent for trial to Manitoba. wXifnever trie^l o ''cto^r/b''^ * "n '^ '' '^"''.^f ^.-''^eady been
varieties. Any attempts made iirthe direction l^'^p/f»^^^^^^ '1'?' '^"^ *''* cultivated
hardy variety of plum in this way would hive to Ife tade^iJ*';/'"""'^ "^ '" ^!"'"'< ** «""'l
because we cannot obtain the blossoms HO far «!.«f„u Off ' V'^^^ ^^^l^"' ''^''^ "^ Ontario,
to any extent at present We have verv Uttle .nrn,^."''-'^*- ^he Greenfie d is not cultivated
develops the insects very mSrand^the e^^rnf nl'l ? °T '^'If'?-*- ?»« heat of summer
frost of winter. PeachesUlloltown' fn'^o^^^n^ S^O^llZ ^o^chSrit"^^^^''^^*
Bon^^ri nVie!^::;?^^^^^^^^^^ ^ .^-^^ard. Yellow Magnu.
the Commissione^rM;. Arnold sayL:- '""''"^'"^ '^^'- ^^"" "^ '^ ^^*"««« ^^^^^^
have'sSVfSln*d cln g"ef rpefcLrLtTei^f^ ^" .^.^^" ^P"H "^^ ^^^^ - t*^-^' -'-re we
just exactly to what we want. C akinl'oui wiH n "*'>''^ <="""t"es, we can model the fruit
youn. as the chairman;"! ^Wd malSn^lt^emJ^ ''^^t^^^^ ^Al^:!,?^
64
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL flOMMISSION.
Eight or ten years is not a Iohk period to devote to such an exporimtmt and tht.
u, elhgent gentleman fron, Lindsay, whose evidence elicited Mr a3"s remark.
t"e pTovrnce fn 'thl^ *""r"V" f-P«'*/.« -'^^h culturists, in the otLr p'rts of
in^^orirt centr«^^^a^^^ provu in«f the district of which Lindsay is an
SrofS^^^lurbtelhlrestteit''" crcumstanced. with acclinLized
«t4^:e:S;::S^t":^JS:iil;zr^ --'' "-'^ '''-'-' -'- - — '»
CULTIVATION OF THE CHERRY.
th^f'^r^lil*'!^^?.'"" P ' ■!'^ ^^^"^^ *""* "''^ obtained such dimensions in Ontario as
that of the other fruits already mentioned. Cherries may be divided into two
families the acidulous varieties represented bv the Morellos and Dukes, and the
sweet cherries represen ed by the Hearts ancf Bigarreaus. " The former clas,''
says Mr. Beadle <• are all more hardy than the swtet cherries, and c^n be grown
.hroughout the frui area of Canada generally." The wild cherry is a well k^nown
object to every one m this Province. Of the tart varieties, the one that succeeds
best IS the red Kentish cherry ; it is hardy, not fastidious as to soil, bears a greaJ
crop, and 18 excellent for all cooking purposes. The English Morello is a |ood
cookmg cherry^ The early Richmond and Montmorency are also recommended
The Hearts and Bigarroaus, Mr. Beadle has no faith in for market cherrSs th^y
are so liable to rot. Of the Bigarreaus, Mr. Beadle puts the Napoleon fiS taking
everything into account, although the Governor Wo(.d is thi best in noint of
ddicacy of flavour. Then comes in order Tradescant's Black Hea or llkhorn
-h^il!? «weet cherry which ripens later," and finally the Black Tartarian, " a fine
showy cherry of the Heart class, which everybody likes "
WlJn f^'i''''' *'' i^X ^«^*«*if« ""^'.Ved by Mr. Beadle, Mr. Arnold speaks of the
Elton (a cherrj- of the Heart family), as " one which everybody sho, Id cultivate
as It succeeds well." But, "it is too soft and good a cherry to ship." The May
Knl\?rFri R^r M^ 'r ^1U '^'^ ^'- ^"^^^^ «« ^^^^^ nomc/other people^
A^^ f^f^^ Black, Mr. Arnold commends as a good cherry. Both Mr Arnold
lltZ"- ^"^ ^'n^ P,"^'?m ' ^^Y' *" * '^^'^y '•^'««'i •" *he last named place and
known^as the Ne Plus Ultra, of somewhat remarkable qualities. Mr. Arnold says
canftSrpr^^^^^^^
on spurs '•'''' ""' "^ *"^ '"''^ occurrence in cherry clustern before?^ Thergen"rVK' grow
Mr. Allan adds to the above the description, that the cherry is a large bearer is of
a bright crimson and j-ellow when ripe, is not subject to rot, belongs, he believes
to the Bigarreau class of cherries, and, if packed at maturity, might be shipped to
England or elsewhere, if packed in small boxes fP"" i"
To the list already furnished by others, Mr. Allan adds the Yellow Spanish
(Bigarreau) cherry, and the Early Purple. ^paman
Mr. Allan would cultivate a cherry orchard, and prefers a light soil inclined to
Mr. Arnold, however, does not like "a very warm, sandy, excitable soil for
cherri s," but prefers " a sandy loam, inclined to clay. "
Mr. Beadle steps in to harmonize this apparent difference of opinion :—
" \^^\^i not found the cherry tree very particular as to soil. The Dukes and Morellos
succeed well m almost any soil -clay or gravel. The Hearts and Bigarreaus are not so well
could proceed and
lundrea |)lninH, all
oineof the feiualn."
lerimont, and the
Lrnold's romarkg,
be other parta of
ich Lindsay is an
'ith acclimatized
lea as manures in
ns in Ontario aa
livided into two
Dukes, and the
e former class,"
d can bo grown
is a well known
lie that succeeds
il, bears a great
lorello is a good
) recommended.
3t cherries, they
eon first, taking
est in point of
art or Elkhorn,
rtarian, "a fine
i speaks of the
ihould cultivate
lip." The May
) other people,
th Mr. Arnold,
kmed place, and
^r. Arnold says
derich, which he
some grafts after-
e most promising
ivood in (mes and
y generally grow
ge bearer, is of
?8, he believes,
be shipped to
'ellow Spanish
joil inclined to
citable soil for
3n : —
es and Morellos
are not so well
CULTIVATION OF THE CHEHRY AND QUINCE. 65
l-Icane.! with a "lav noil- -they prefer a lighter ioil, but that preference ii. overcome hv work-
ing them on the \fahaleh Ht<H.-k. Nearly all the Heedlin«H grown in our dintri^rare^x^ I
S;;ieHo well on olayS.'^ """"'' '" **""' "'^''•"''""'y *« •«"•. The Ma^^anU do not
Mr. Arnold also rof, rs to the fruit last above mentioned. Ho says :—
"All varietieH, I might almost say Huccoed on thu Mahaleb Htock. and it Ih verv rarelv
hat we can get any cherrv to Hucoee.l on the Mazzar.1 Bt.Kjk.. The iVIaha e h growZa HttJe
m^KHe tL"S which growH in France an.l England. The Clnl 'l
giipiK)He, ine original of the class <.f that name. I do not know whether it helom/H to tha
Biggareaus or to the flearts. Maz.ar.ls are ten.ler in mo,t places. Tnd are verroften unrell
able simply iM^oause Mazzard see.llingH seldom turn out two a ike Some w isUnd the
winter and some will not. The Mahalebs are called dwarfs, although thiVy grow lite ^ hffh
and as rapidly on it as on the Ma/.zar.l for a number of years." ^ ^ ' *^
Mr. Leslie does not seem to have been particularly ouesti.med on this point, but.
on referring to hin pamphlet, his preference for the kahaleb stock is, it nmy be
oth"; pZt's -i^ ^ expressed. He says, with reference to the stock as well aa some
!.<_".!" *" ';*''®" T'^ recommend low standards or dwarfs for our climate and tr, b« a„«n«D=f„l
w th them they should be nlanted in a well-sheltered posi ."on wrwtkSm la^^^^^^^^
whlttatomkkefthlTrl „!'!*' *k''P^'' '?/ "'""''7 '"^"^^^ "^ ««•'" ^^an the Ma^^S stock?
cherry iwe^hmd X irw^T^' fi,^'^' '"''^^y^ "^ »?.^«"y '"*"' *« *he best soil for the
g3- short?fim a"nd Veil Ktl.' " ''"" ''"'"'''^'- ^"« "" l''"'^"- "P- y-' »"- «
The cherry has some insect enemies, to which attention will be paid in duo
Z?ndi i l'- f •"''^' however, the birds, and if it wore proper to anticipate
the judicial uiquiry it is proposed to make later on into the character and habits of
the robin, it might be said he is the worst of the thieves. In Lindsay, where, as it
has been shown, fruit growing has great difficulties to contend with, Mr. Beall
rather plaintively remarks : —
' ' Cherries can be grown profitably with us if we had no robins, but as the law now stands
respecting insectivorous birds, we do not want any cherries."
He goes on to say : —
eachlufeCte\St*n n'f * K '^^■''''' trees sufficiently large to produce one or two bushels
eacn, but i nevei had a gallon of cherries yet. Our section of country is swarming with robins."
From Bruco we get the following :—
CULTIVATION OF THE QUINCE.
r.ri.l^5^r * ""i the cultivation of the quince," would be, perhaps, the more appro-
S™^ r. ^Z * fl' "''*'"•" P^ ^^^ ^''"''- U««^»l ^« it i«. both as a deUdous
preserve and for the flavour it imparts to other fruits and culiAaiy niceties, it Ts, "n
this country, treated with almost contemptuous indifference. So much is thU
lil'Ti^l- ^^r^'"'? t« the evidence, the demand, even in the Niagara distric
The ia.«°'* T^^^' and quinces are actually imported from the United State !
1 he cause of the unpopularity of the quince, it is suggested, may be the Ion?
SirnV""^ ordinarily take to arrive at maturity. But both M^. Beadle and M?
an" that^^wi h tS' ^^"* ^V^'^Pf ' f-'"' fu"^ cultivation have much to do with tSs;
much diminSed ' ^' ''""" ^°'' ^" '^' '''' ""*^^"S ^''^''''''^ ^^^^^ be verj^
Mr. Beadle says :—
is abouttaff'a bu'shTl'^^Thev IrJZ^" l ^?^^^^^^' ^"^'l J*^" ''^''^^' "^'^^^ "^ ^ ^^^^^^ ^^e
but areslow in o5:±i- ./J^!J„tyf„"°L? !"«-' H^-'ltf T^'f^^'^^'^- , }h-^'^ l^^^'^'^^d trees.
, i_. J, an«, i am muiiucd so tnmK mat that to thtj reason we hare
66
ONTAHIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
Lt^e7 ttfwVrfprteW;-cu&^^^^ oornen,. but I
and begin to tear much earlier th"n they "o i.ow Frn^'^ *^'^' '^"'^^'^ *"*'" t^^^'"- f"" S^oy^^^
men wHo have made some expSents I shouki \»aT^uVT''^'''^ ^'*'^ "''-« °' t^vot'entle-
generous treatment as much as any other tree we havi'' *^' ^"'"'' ^'^^ ^'" '««P""^^ *«>
admtblt"VbTa^r:;:gS^ to the quince, it succeeda
twig blight, is a health? troe-afthoLb n°« T ' *"^; ^^''^P* ^t times subject to a
yields hSf a bushel o f/uit aLuallv ^Thf "^ * milder climate than some-and
NAMELESS SEEDLINGS.
eminent economical qualities We hp:; nTn^^ of which possess great merits and
of apples, with a reasCable probaWlkTthf t^JHr^ ?P^'' '""•^ ^'^"™« *t Lindsay ,
after, in the United Counties of neachp« ?n J i"/ "^^T^ ^""I'^ *«"' ^^ ''"^y ^'^^'^ed
plums almost everywhere ^d all tCAnl " f '^f'" districts; of seedling
numerous others Cnd of whLh tt se Tr J the extreme likelihood that
Beadle alludes to one^nltrShS^d "fie say'^s' - ^^^^^ '"''"^'^^"«- ^^-
average^oTf^rSntti^fe's-Tn'tP^^^^^^^^^^^ tltVVZ ^r^^^l^'l^^ ^"^^^ «'- the
seedhng trees they will jrraduallv ^p^ n rfl' t '^, ""'^ People will take the pains to raise
Bouthem countriel Thfrfis Tgf^ j^^^^^ ? leam^vi ''*J '" t^'^u^'^''^^^'- '^^^ '^'^^ ^'^^^
quite a nu Tiber of seedlin-s mostWofVkl P.li f ^? '"^'t'^''' Kilborne, who has planted
and found he had a numbt ^f ve^iie pSs-alW\^ and examined his orchard,
fleshed peaches, and I think amnn/^f fh^fi fu ^n "^ V^V^' ^'^ "^arly all of them, vUow-
pagation. I take this for SanTed ? thauf vou 7^ foun(some worthy ^f prl
Its northern limit as may bo and if it nlrL'^?. if the seed of a tree that is growing as near
grow a race of trees hardir than the parent TH.^'''^'fP^f^ ^t^ ?«"^ ^"'^ y™ "'i" gradualfy
yitae. My father imported a tree years a^o • h^ «n "'*J*^^ • ^''^^ 'P *''« «^« "^ Chinese arbor
iUf"ec^;iX^r^ '-^^ -^ -cinTi' htrr^:s^ArSeVLS ^eW:f s
butl£ l^lVt'XV^ti'^,;'':;}^^^^^^ ^-^^ng an but unrecognized.
lingH'ZtXVeStrdtren1;S^'tt.7'^':%^^^^ every farmer had a number of seed-
testing a number of 3eedlin„3^",tme of wht h „?"^*'^' °'' ^^?° seedlings. At present we are
Cox, of Goderich townsh p ha'^rown a ^Lf P™""^^ «f excellent results Mr. George
among them he has four very suSronpVfnf^^^ °^ seedlings from year to year! and
m size and flavour, and exce'^rtS n productTvenesT ^ThT^ ^ f,Y-'l °"T know/varieUes
rich ; one has flesh stronk'lv resemhl n" frVri., /V r J j J ^^^ *^' ''•'^•^ coloured, juicy and
free stoned and one cling ^Therbr"- S.-'^ ^-^^wford, and flavour fully as strong thrTe are
they ripen from about Augult Ith SLmK^ "Z*^ ^"^ 1 our^best kinds"
very hardy and heavy, and regular bSs I oonliHprfi V"" ^'^^^''^^ large and strong
general cultivation, and being^naturallXdy^ ^y^^Z:::^iX:^r:^^i
alluded r^Mr^We^tS^YHlii^P^"™ ^" *!?^ ^^-« «e°tion have been already
his neighbourhood He says!- °''°''"' ^" ^'^"*' ''^''' *« ^ «««dling Peach in
^Ll^^h^^'^P'^f «««dling peach in cultivation. h„t wo have no r«r-- ' -f
pcai^a, withrea cheeK and yellow flesh and i<,'^ffi^ "-^yo no namt; lor it; it la a yellow
nee cornera, but I
n their full growth
one or two jjentle-
ee will respond to
ice, it succeeds
mes subject to a
than some — and
ses who referred
ved would prove
'requently culti-
aed in evidence.
are to be found
'eat merits and
ims at Lindsay |
I, if only looked
;s ; of seedling
likelihood that
iications. Mr.
hardier than the
16 pains to raise
than trees from
vho has planted
ned his orchard,
t)f them, y.-llow-
e worthy of pro-
■• growing as near
)u will gradually
of Chinese arbor
ve by protecting
its seed that are
unrecognized,
f fruit culture.
as well as the
pples superior
lerich district,
lumber of seed-
i present we are
s. Mr. George
ar to year, and
known varieties
ured, juicy and
'ong ; three are
our best kinds ;
■rge and strong,
well worthy of
Id where others
been already
ing peach in
it is a yellow
ery tough and
several time.>i.
NAMELESS SEEDLINGS.— THE RASPBERRY. 67
the wood is a dark black ; we^avet^^n ^omeaL\"^^^^^^^
are growing this particular seed ng, and there is one orchard in wbJnKfhlSf' '. a^trict
been taken to let that body ^now oMtTexistence T 't^^^^^^ *^''* ^^^ «*«P^ ^'^^^
member of the Association^,ut I cannot sv whether hp madAh""''"!it'"'' 7''' ** "''\'^'"^ *
not. The fruit ripens about ten daysKerThrn the E^TSatLd^^^ ''"°^° *° '^'"^ "^^
I Mr. Toll, from the same county, has also a seedling that deserves to be known
and might be advantageously propagated. He says of it ■-
have not brought the seedling to the attention ohheFruR^Grler^^^^^^^^^^^ • • I
or.r.u% "^^,"'°"*'?"^^" ^'^ evidence that he is growing twenty-six varieties of
Sne fruTts"' "^' ^" '"' '""'^^^ '>^^"'^^"> ^^^ '''^^-' *r-'' hel^y:, Ce
,u/p *^® •'^*'"''^® "^^^'^^^ inquiries into farming operations in the County of Lanark
W^rrr ^"^t ^^ ''"^^^"^ "PP^^« ^^^ ^^^^^ hardiness and fine q^uaUty^
oi a aisinci as its own, and flourished , igorouslv for vears it mav bp aunr^r^acA +«
have exempliiied the doctrine of the survival o^f the^fittest a^d^o be SScfal W
deserving of a tention and encouragement. No doubt, too, i^ many a fence coS
or garden plot, are to be found representatives of most of the fruL the vak^of
TheVn.^ p""''" '?'r^ P'^^^T h^'-^'y '^""^^ *«' the fortunate possesloi
of new viri tie^JfTultfand'f ''" ^? -^T.' " ^''^' ^^^^ *° P^«-«^« *h« «"ltiv*t-n
or new varieties ot truits, and to ascertain the existence of seedlings of soecial mprif
but, from the evidence before the Commissioners, it is only to7apparent t^^^^
valuable organization has, in this respect, been unable to secure TneSthe of the
Znv of tb'' ^"""^^^'. ^"^*^ T'^'^y *° P°««««« «" «"«h a subject "
Growers' AssLiatTon 'InV'tt.'^^'"- ^'''''' ^'^ ""* ^"^P^" *" ^' "^«"^b«^« «f th« Fruit
urowers Association, and there are persons, too, in the world who are willinor
enough o receive one hundred cents in value' for their doC/and yet whoTa t?
enter into the spirit of those who conduct the Society's operations. ^
FrnJf rpP^^""^ '""a 907^'nissioners to be most desirable that, possibly throucrh the
Fruit Growers' Association, there should be a direct inquiry by personal and com
petent agency, in the chief fruit growing districts of the VvinLTall events asTo
he existence of notable seedlings, coupled with an examination into the!? merits
or 1 ;,? *1^^^'*{ ""i the fruits, and growth and productiveness of the tree Prizes
for seedhng fruits have been frequently offered by the Fruit Growers' Association
dlrTmeroT^.f"'^ f^/\' f^V'^^ AgrfculturarAssocSn it the fS
department of their prize list ; but while these, no doubt, are inducements to the
ioTeLrsTLTdli^Js f *°"' *'^^. n''-'^'^ ^ ""* ^ff«^^ indlviSuarand s'catJe ed
fs cLariy desiraui! ^ ^^ ^'^^' '''^"'*- ®°'"^ '^^"^^ «^°^* *« ^^^^^ such cases
CULTIVATION OF THE RASPBERRY.
Raspberry cultivation, more than that of any other fruit is limited Kv fbo
siiperabundance of the wild variety which grows ^in every ^art of t^ePro?^
and as ?h: bush^f .laduT/r' T^^",' '' "'^r^"*^ ^" ^^^^^ "^ rLpberiy cul ure,'
..A A, gradually cleared up, and waste or neclectod sooli are hroii^ht
under tillage or ,,a.turago, the rivalry of the wild berry wmLdaaUvdiSh
STr:ys'inT°'„vTdeSi' '"'" '" '"""°' "" '"",,„i..u.i:^isist.
ea
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
SpoSed\\rXXre is nir^^ ^t'"'^ ^'7.^^%'' "^^^^ •"*•> -^P^-ry vinegar or
ago, and hence thlre U a trrlt n!.^= "^f /^ *''*'""-'^ ^^^ Peninsula for a thousand .ome years
Phi?a2?nMa^F™n'^ raspben-y among the red varieties, the most popular are the
to the Antwern rwt H- J ^^^'*'^^ to these, reference is made in the evidence
Arnoldt Sm Skn?^^^^^ ^"'"^.^ Brandywine, Belle de Fontenay,
Market all rPd^panK' ««^8*»"e. burner, Niagara, Cuthbert, and Queen of the
and Seneca of bK?l. " -'V' ^"^^^^ Doolittle, Davison's Thonde^s, Gregg, Ontario!
2re o?S ?f Se chl-otr- /T ''"^\^^u ^'^""^^^^' ^^^"ds, whifh partake
although thev are vii^Tri-'^.f^^"/ °^ ^°*^ ''^'^ ^"'^ black, yet been mentioned,
Of the fiT«f 1 ^ prominently referred to by some of the witnesses. ^
Philadelphia andXlo";^?. raspberries, Mr. Beadle strongly commends both the
PhilSffiL''hi^.n?l ^"^J^^^dineas, and, if its colour is not so popular, the
witness as S good quaHty^^ ?' Snclv J^' Franconia is spoken of i/the Lame
Ph"?i:rrh^^^^?;^^^^^^^^^^ Sr rmpS^^Sdttt
le'pltn'^B i'n:klt Mr. BealUt Lind^ grs'th'^^a!
when the PhiladelDhfa a^Zr^.t?^ ^ "° ^^"^^^ wmter-killed until last winter
however it will be rlmTA 7 ' ^'^""^^ ^,f " "'^^"^y ^" ^''^^^'^- The season,
was theVder of tLTvTn ' ^^ '^''P^^"''"^ ""^*^""^*ble, and winter-killing
Mr A^rnold nl.^.«?f. T^T,"^ branches of agriculture besides raspberry growing
Mr. Allan aS(JoZllir^p\^? °" *^« ^'«* °f ^^^ raspberries? With
Orange -"^ir" The i^^^^ '' 1',?^ productive," and Brinckle's
what Tender Brincklp^ro.? •' «^«^"A"/'''essf uUy. Although reputed to be some-
Bucke at Ofi^^o i- ^ T^t 'f ""® °^ *^« *^o or three varieties cultivated by Mr
fhetlnter Xt dltrici' ^T^f '' 77!.*^ *^^ ^^^P «""-« ^^^^h prevSl ZrTng
Mr Roy s — protect the canes from injury.
very fin? but^fender""'^'^^^^'' '' '^' '""'* P^"^**^^^- ^^ ««"« *!»« ^e^*- Brinckle's Orange is
Of the Philadelphia and Franconia Mr. Leslie says :—
It is l^old rriftv7ndTometT''?.\PJ"*l**^l^>, *"i.!^,*^" /,?"°^ *^« Franconia the best yet.
profitable It f^^rSr th^n hp T.>in*^'' ?""k ^ l"';* • ^« '^"'^ **»« Philadelphia reasonably
T»,. A r '"'.'^^'^'^,**''*" *he 1 ranconia, but the fruit is soft and has not so fine a flavour. "
genitorof"anZb«Vn 'r*^- *°>Mr. Beadle as somewhat delicate, but as a pro- '
B:^:::r^7^z:liss:i^^c;^:t'^ ^*«^"- ^* ^« ^— --^-^ byk
ities and'irodicf?v?n '''^ ^I ^'' ^«^?« ^^^ it« ^olo^r. Havour, size, market qual-
T1, IT- ,"'*"5 '^'^^ raspberries. Its qualities m other respects are medium."
ihe Highland Hardy is one of the first, if not the very first, to ripen
The Brandywine is also mentioned for its hardiness.
NuiAr He'L7s°o?Sem':-'' '^P'"' " *^^ ^'""^ ^^«*' ^"^°^^'« ^'^^^^ -^
and Z':Lrc:;."S croBs^'l^t^^^^^^^
ever-bearing raspberries Number 10 hLri*^* *° "*''^' ^"'^ "^^ ?1f^ *'™ ^*« *» Produce
I
CULTIVATION OF THE RASPBERRY. 69
The Belle de Fontenay is only mentioned incidentally as a well flavoured berry
Among the witnesses examined was Mr. A. M. Smith, of St. Catharines for-
merly of Drummondville, who makes a specialty of raspberry culture. He has at
the present time probably some twelve acres under raspberries As his experience
?!?/«' M^'i'ii'^^"^'.^ *he wieties he is planting in the order of their rSng'-
lattefhe says ^^^' "^' Philadelphia, Herstine, Turner, and Niagara. ^ Of the
rulVi^A ^i*•?''J^ T^^ * seedling of mine. It was grown from seeds I selected from thft
tiSindf It hiS'fH^'"^'"^.!"^'*^''"- Th« variety is probably a cross between ™hese
two Kinrta. it has a little resemblance to each of them. It is a red berrv a lifcHp Ha.rl/ W
not so dark as the Philadelphia. It is not so bright in colour as the Clark!" '
Mr. Morris, of FonthiU, speaks highly of the Niagara, but gives a decided pre-
ference to a new berry not mentioned by any other witness "«ciaea pre
He says : —
' ' The most successful variety of raspberries is a new one called the Queen of the Market
I would give the preference to this berry. It is red in colour. The kiladelphia Lnnot be
compared wi h it in size at all. It is very large, firm, and of good quality There iTanother
moS'vZ' ' ThP n''^*'"*V *il"* ^ ^y ^""^ *"°- I' '« ^ '•^d Berry^ad o iginat d fn Drum'
mondville. The Queen of the Market is an American variety. The Niagara, I think is aa
sCpef ' The Oue^enTth.*^ "i^'l"^'' ""'^ ''? '^"•'^"^y ^^^^i""^' but it fs hardly' as good ^
h Ee" th^an^Slwinia.^"'^'* " '^'^"'" " "^^ *° *'^ ^'*°°°'^''' ^^^ ^^^ »' ^er.^ut it
THE BLACK CAPS.
Mr ^Beadle sl^VoTiV- ^*""°°*^ ^^"^*^'" '^ "mentioned by nearly every witness.
" Then there is the Mammoth Cluster which has a very thornv plant It is a mnfp vJcmr
Zl frZZ'^r. '• ' ^«"'i^t^'^,^*^ *,}*^^" ^^"y- ^^ou^h it i7n?t perhap a more v f^ -'
ous cropper. It ripens decidedly later than any of the others. It is hardy, showv has been
widely disseminated, and is as profitable as any." ^' ^"""^y' °*^ °^^^
It is one of the two varieties, the Ontario being the other, that do best with Mr
Dempsey. Mr. Beall cultivates the Mammoth Cluster at Lindsay. Mr Arnold
regards it as "the best of all blackberries." Mr. Allan reports it as hardy m his
district. Mr. Morris classes it as one of the two best varieties.
The Doolittle is referred to by Mr. Beadle, who says of it ':—" The Doolittle is
a good berry, and very productive when properly cared for."
He adds the following caution : —
* -I'li^ Pu'i!"" '^ growing plants and fruit at the same time, he may make a failure of the
fruit, though he may succeed xyith the pla.its. They grow by ihe tops reaching over and tak!
ng root m the ground, and this seriously affects the fruit-producing qualities of the plants •
but If a person will persistently prevent them from taking root by piSchig off the tops the
crop of fruit will be farge and juicy, and will be also comparatively profitable." ^
Davison's Thornless berry is described as the earliest of the black caps The
berry is about equal to the Doolittle in size and productivene^bs, and has the advan-
tages of ripening early and' being thornless.
Mr. Dempsey, however, says of it : " Davison's Thornless is a fine berry and
convenient for packing, but we find that the ends of the canes freeze in winter."
ihe toeneca is one of the varieties Mr. Dempsey cultivates.
The Gregg is mentioned by Mr. Morris with the Mammoth Cluster as one of the
best of its class.
THE SAUNDERS HYBRIDS.
Mr. Saunders' Hybrids are spoken of in high terms by several witnesses.
Mr. Dempsey says : —
"The hvbrids arp vprv fino 'Kn i^K wjt-H ,i<. -a-m nr-nAti^^ ,- ! • i' ^i
variety Ihav. ever seen,lh.;ugh th;- fruit doe. n:;t rti^^^^^^^^^^
5ld\\em1orThrin:rre?-' ^"' '' '^ ^ ^'^^°""*^ ^"''^«'"« "«« ^ ''^^^ ~*- ^ ^^^^-^^^^
70
ONTARIO AQRICULTUBAL COMMISSION.
Hi
■J
I
Mr.
Arnold adds his testimony as follows : —
f i>» "5*'™^ hybrids of Mr. Saunders' are quite superior to them all. Thev are croasP« h«fw««n
the red and black, and are very productive and hardy. The Havour is &een the two Mr
Saunders' hybrids are getting to take the lead in that class." t>etween the two. Mr.
Mr. Bucke, who tests the raspberry as well as other fruit under very severe con-
ditions, gives a somewhat fuller notice of these valuable hybrids. He says ?!!
"The colour is rather against Mr. Saunders' berry, but it is very prolific I do not thJnlr
METHOD OF CDLTIV4T1NO RASPBERRIES.
pUn"-^""' '° *° """'™"™ »' ""> raspberry, Mr. Ray gives the MIowmg a, hU
Mr. Morns' plan is a little different. He says :—
K u7\ planting raspberries T would recommend them being planted in hills sav thrpA «.nH a
half feet one way and five feet the other; and only one plant in a hill wl^f. YJ a
raspberries at all, just let thorn grow up, and tie tLm together " P'""* ""^
Mr. A. M. Smith, however, says :-
'-My method of cultivation would be somewhat dififerent from that of Mr Morris T i\^
not tie up canes, but cut them back when young, and thev t )w Xokv PnT^aU }-°
1 usually ^t some of the canes come up between ^fh lis ' I re^ofe the otrlf^^PfP^'^'^^'
as the fruit is off. I cut out the whole^ of the old w.^d immedTately S pS^^^
There is another point-I generally do my cultivating pretty early in the 8eLson*ln5/rvf;
avoid cultivating them after picking the fruit. This !s to get the wood rijened ud for w nir
Sometimes it is necessary to go through and weed them out after picking.^^ ^ "
' Mr. Leslie's plan differs from either of the foregoing. He says •—
wit:t^e^eiTe;jo^:K:Vr"aLi^ra:r^^
i;he plants are placed eighteen inched or wo TetP^'patrSe di.Uuce^^^^^^^^^^
about five teet, so as to allow a hor.se and cultivato"? to'pass through The oTd canes I^cnt
out, and the cultivator pansed through in one direction. Un.ler this system the nlants do v^rv
nicely, and seem more h^rdy and more productive than by any other!" ^
Any person who may contemplatn raspberry cultivation on a lar^^e scale mav bn
interested to learn from Mr Smith that it costs about $30 to provWe tSe plants^or
an acre of raspberries, while the planting out and necessary preparation of the
tSrLTays - ^ *° ^"^ "'''• ""^ *" """^"""^ ^"-i s^ubrequent cultiva!
^kJ: lT^l'nil'^r,,^l,^'^Fytr^^^^^^^^ ^^% %-« Pl'^nted. I use barn-yard manure and
a^hr^i;;^:^;;;^p.rtia&^c^;;'ltSh^;^"^-^:^^^^^^
owing as his
CULTIVATION OF THE STRAWBERRY. 71
planted is not very great. You have to keep the ground clean and keep down the auperfluous
.uckera A man, with a horse, should cultivate four or five acres, doing the majoritv of ?he
work with the horse and cultivator. My usual method is to cultivate them perhat« five or
SIX times in the course of the season, and then I have three or four men to do the hoeing I
I5 more.'- *" ^'" """^'^ ^ cultivated for $10 a year. The pruning would be worth"|i oJ
Mr Smith was also good enough to go into some further details in connection
with the production of Ins raspberry grounds and the cost attendant upon and mode
of har^-estmg and disposing of his crop. He said :—
"The canes last usually five or six yeart You can raise ahmif 1 K{\(\ „.,„ *
average-I have raised 2,000 quarts-to the acre RaspberrTes are of ten «;^H =t'«* ^T-, °" *°
but if they come in in very good condition they comZnd rom 10 to "2 cent' IZf ^ ?'"*'^
would not think it profitable to cultivate a raspberry bed aft^r five nr «fv ^^°'«|f.l«-. ^
costs about li cents a quart. We get the commorbaskets f or I cent Jtl^^ K . 7f " ^'""^W
used a more expensivelasket, which is muXronS and the herr^^^^^^^
it These cast about 3 cents each. It would not partouLtSLSceMw^^^^^^ ^f'"''?'
I find it is better to ship the berries in pints when carry^g them a long dfstaice." °''^-
On the bksis of Mr. Smith's figures, the profit and loss account of his operations
would, under a fair crop, stand about as follows :— operations
Land at $100 per acre, say interest at 7 per cent «7 on
Canes $30, lasting six years, per annum ... i n/j
First cost of planting out, $8 to $10, or say per knnum l ^0
Cultivation per annum ,i Xn
Pruning, say .' .' ^l^
Picking l,.'iOU quarts, at 1 J cents per quart 09 ka
♦Baskets, common, i cent each '.".'.".'.'.'.'..'.'.'." 7 50
Total costs of raspberries per acre ' ©kj, ka
Return, say 1,5C0 quarts, at an average of 8 cents" '.'.'.'.'..'.'. 121 00
'^^''^^ ieslo
It must be recollected however that losses often occur from damaged crons or
from fruit that may not be disposed of in time to prevent a reduction ^fyalSrom
profilanfloss" "'"""'^"" ''"'^' *" ^^ *^«" ^"*« account when estimatfn"
so
CULTIVATION OF THE STRAWBERRY.
The strawberry, in its wild state is ubiquitous in this Proyince. It is in fact
thoroughly indigenous to Canada that, says Mr. Bucke in his evidence •-
Ontario!'' '°''' ^'^^ °"' ^'"'"^"'^ ""'' '^''°^ ^"^^^'^ ^'^^ ^^ -«» ^« it ^oes in Western
Nor does it appear that the plant may not be cultivated successfnllv «r,^
profitably in districts least favourable to the growth of the lar 'e frii tf T^ fl ^?"
home demand, the difiiculty of shippincr the fruit to Ion" di«tTn li: . •*"''^^y
the great wholesale strawberry growing dSctr^nm^tsT^^ "^'^'\^ '''"^/ *'^
our northern, eastern, and norU^este?n coS, it 'w^^^^^^^^^^ '""'Vl
th^s^ profitable strawberry cultivation h ave been rea£d ^r^even ap^r^JcS
* If a more coRtly b\8ket is used it is returned or if anniB ho !«..♦ ♦»,» u
perhapd cover such defl.jieuoies. rouuruaa, or ir some be lost, the above charge may
72
ONTARIO AORIGULTURAL COMMISSION.
Attention will first be called to the evidence of some large strawberry growers, and
afterwards the facilities for an extension of the industry will be noticed The
sandy soil of a large portion of the front or southern part of the County of Halton
and particularly the district surrounding the Town of OakviUe, is the most famous
for Its strawberry gardens of any section of the Province, while the short distance
between 1 oronto on the east and Hamilton on the west, with the moat convenient
and speedy communication by land and water with both cities, gives to the growers
the best of markets almost close at hand, and ready means of distribution elsewhere,
as tar as the nature and condition of the fruit will allow.
Mr. Jeremiah Hagaman, one of the largest Oakville strawberry growers, was
goodenough to give the Commission very full information with regard to his
business. The berry he, m common with most other witnesses, gives the first place
to, as a market fruit, is the Wilson, or Wilson's Albany. Of this berry he says :—
i„^ ''fel'Taii''"^"''*^'?!-*' wu ^""w? Wilson variety the best. It is preferable for market-
ing. lake it all around I think the Wilson is the best berry. I think there are soma nth«r
strawberries richer and better than the Wilson, and more plLaittoXte^^^^^^
lTLfJ\T *^%\k?",''Iu*T.^-{"' ^^^Pi"" ry ^ ^^^ ^''«°»' ""'• P'-^duce so large a crop.
So far as I know I thmk the Wilson is ahead of all. It is considered a first-class fruit, but of
course it is a little tart. It yields more than any other berry we have had to do with, but we
f LTl^rV"" 'l**"' r^'il'*- .1^^ ^*^^ r "^ .^f •«! '"^"y «^ tl^« lately introduced berries. A
^u w^°y -^ ''®^" *,"?'^ ^^ °*®''« 1" OakvlUe, but they have not succeeded well. .
J. he Wilson is a general favourite with all the great fruit growers."
The V.ii.son is the chief variety grown in Prince Edward County. At Lindsay
"almost everyone grows the Wilson."
Mr. Arnold, of Paris, who has given a good deal of attention to strawberry cul-
ture, as will hi-. .:een further on, says : —
fho ^I^X '?"'* VroiytiM^ for the market is Wilson's Albany, and though there is one called
the Ida that is a larger, finer, and better berry, Wilson's Albany carries the best of any."
At Ottawa, "people generally grow the Wilson, because it produces a heavv
crop. •'
AtGoderich, says Mr. Allan, "we cultivate the Wilson almost exclusively for
market purposes. ''
Mr. Pettit, of market varieties, prefers the Wilson. At Arnprior, Mr. Usborne
"grows the Wilson exclusively, and it does well."
marke?^ ^'^^'''^'"' ^"^^ ^^' ^""^^ ""^ ^^^"^ ^''""^' " '^ "'°^* profitable for the
Mr. Leslie says of it '. —
"We have tried a erreat many varieties of strawberries, but do not cultivate them for
market on a large sea e, growing them mainly for the plant. The variety which we have
found best so far is wagon's Albany. It has rather an acid flavour as generally picked. It
18 not ripe when it is red, but must be nearly black before perfectly matured."
Li Bruce, the Wilson " is the favourite with local growers," but the wild straw-
berry IS a powerful competitor with the cultivated plant.
The Wilson is the popular fruit in Perth.
The same testimony as to its superior marketable qualities comes from Middlesex
on the west and the United Counties on the East. The Wilson owes the favour in
which It 13 held, first to its ripening, or at all events attaining a marketable condi-
tion early, second to its productiveness, and lastly to its carryin<^ qualities Its
tartness 1^ an objection with some, although not regarded as a drawback by many
±Jut, as Mr. Leslie points out, it is not ripe when ordinarily sold. When fully
matured It would be nearly black, but then its carrying qualities would be dimin-
ished. I he Wilson, however, is not without rivals in the field.
Mr. Westland, of Kent, is of opinion that the Monarch of the West—
"Produces equal to ihe Wilson, is as good a shipping berry ^ and equally hardy."
Mr. Dougall says ; —
• " ^^^ T.'u°" »*'''^7''«"y has been principally culti^•ated hitherto, but I think it is run-
'''f^.K 't -w-f ^I«",^«'-=f ^« «« '«'\-' »'y the fruit se.alag that it i. almost iniposs bleTo
get the true Wilson strawberry anywhere. The Col. Cher^ey is a very profitable itrawberry
CULTIVATION OF THE STRAWBERRY.
73
;he wild straw-
with us. The Sharpless Seefllin}? is also a very line strawherry— one of the finest. The
Crescent Seedling is more profitable than the Wilson. The only objection to it is that it pro-
pagates too fast it has too many runners."
Mr, A. M. Smith says of the Crescent Seeding : —
"I don't think I would plant the Wilson exclusively if I were setting out any plants.
At, present I think there is more money in a very early berry or in a very late one. Every
one has gone into the Wilson, and if you could get a berry a few days earlier than the WiUon
more money would be made. I think the Crescent Seedling is probably going to supersede
the Wilson in many markets. I planted the Crescent a couple of years, and I am satisfied
^J'^^iir }^ *^®*'' "^ ^^^ Wilson in bearing, but it is not as good a shipper. It is not so acid as
the Wilson, bemg a sweeter berry. This fruit has been very cheap at St. Catharines this
season, probably not more than four or five cents a quart. The Crescent Seedling ripens about
the same time as the Wilson."
Mr. Morris gives his view of the respective leading early varieties as follows :—
"For the market I prefer the Wilson, Captain .Tack, Crescent Seedling, Sharpless, and
Monarch of the West. Ihe Sharpless is three or four times as large as the Wilson, and it has
a better flavour. It requires troul)le to raise it, nor can it be shipped any distance, and
another objection is that it lies flat on the ground on account of the berries being so large. If
I were planting oat five acres I woulJ plant a good many varieties. Of the lot I think I would
prefer Captain Jack. It will yield more than the Wilson, and carry to market better, and
keep its colour bett»r. It is so much like the Wilson that they can hardly be told apart. In
acidity itis about t le same as the Wilscm, and it requires moist ground. The Crescent Seed-
ling, I think, is a v-iy profitable berry. For farmers I would prefer it to any, because farmers
neglect their berrie:.. and this one will almost take care of itself. I think it will bear more
thill the Wilson. I should think strawberries produce about a hundred bushels to the acre.
I think we shall in time have a sweeter berry which may be transported, but we have not
attained that yet."
Of other varieties the Triomphe de Gand and Jucunda are esteemed the most,
for home consumption, by Mr. Beall. Mr. Arnold, after referring to tlie popularity
of the two last named varieties with some persons, and mentioning a small berry,
called tlie Mary Fletclier, which has "the highest flavour of them all, but is not so
productive," alludes to the Wilson's Albany in the terms already quoted, and then
says : —
" Next to it I would place one called the Alpha. It is a splendid grower and very early.
I have made experiments in crossing strawberries. I have sent out four this year At the
request of Mr. Downing, of Newburg, I have named one the Bright Ida, another the Alpha,
another the Maggie, and another Arnold's Piide. Arnold's Pride is rather inclined to be
late."
Mr. Allan, of Goderich, says : —
"For home consumption we prefer the Triomphe de Gand, Monarch of the West, Sharp-
less, Green Prolific, Colonel Cheney, and the Charles Downing, with a preference for the
first-named. Arnold's No. 3 is also well thought of. We have not had much experience with
the Sharpless, but I don't think it bears out the claims that have been made for it as to its
enormous productiveness. I don't think any of these varieties would be likely to take the
place of the Wilson, as a market fruit. The Wilson is the only s.rawberry that is shipped,
though some of our growers have been asking for thj Triomphe de Gand. Steadily through
the season, the finer varieties command a higher price than the Wilson."
Mr. Bucke, of Ottawa, says: —
"The New Dominion is an excellent berry, and is grown a good deal. I have some of
Mr. Arnold's varieties. Some of them are exceedingly fine. His No. 23 is going to be one of
the best ever produced, I think."
Mr. Leslie says : —
" The Sharpless is a new variety, bears very large fruit, is a good grower, and I think is
a very promising berry. The Jucunda is one of the very best varieties and ought to be more
cultivated than it is. It is a magnificent berry for shipping, the fruit being large and beau-
tiful, and the plant productive and good in every respect. The Crescent seedling is very pro-
ductive and the berry rather attractive. "
Mr. A. M. Smith mentions some other varieties. He says : —
"There is one we have called the Nicanor, that, as an early berry, has paid very well
aboutDnimmondville. I have a seedling of my ■^\^•n that is a little' ahoad of that 'in the
quantity and quality of the fruit. It has not yet been out under any particular name, but ia
6
74
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
simply grown there by one or two parties. It has been proposed to call it the Early Canada
J. 'JTrl't . """' ^''P*'"?"?^^^"' the New Dominion berry. For the local m ^rket it i« a very
he berry to gr.,w but it is too soft for shipment. Tt i« later than the Wilson, and will oom-
mand a much better price. It is a seedling that originated in DrummondviUe."
Mr. HaKaman, in his answers to the questions put to him, gives what may bo
regarded as a full code of instruction for strawberry culture :—
"The soil most suitable for the growth of the berry is a sandv soil, or sandy loam. The
ground should be highly manured, and if it were summer fallowett it would be preferable • or
you can raise turnijjs, or something like that, and the next season raise strawberries. I would
recommen<l summer fal Owing, or a root crop, to precede the planting of strawberries.
, ,.^"^ ^J"f,8 Bhould be planted from the first to the twentieth of May. I i)refer sDrins
pxaating to fall planting, and very seldom plant in the fall. It does not pay to plant iri the
fall. You have to i)rotect them through the winter, and then, in the spring, they are worth
no more than those planted in the spring. They have to go through another season's opera-
tion before you can get any fruit from them.
■' Where the land is well prepared I would plant four feet between the rows and two feet
m the rows. I do not recommend the hill system of culture at all. I don't think it has any
advantage for amateur work. ^
" The vines should be renewed once in two or three years ; by many it is considered well
to renew them every year. I think it is best myself to take only one crop oflf them. The
extra quality of the crop would repay planting every year.
''After the first year's picking the fruit is not so good and it is generally smaller. I
would not replant on the same piece of ground, but would select a new piece."
Mr. A. M. Smith agrees generally with Mr. Hagaman, but suggests one or two
additional points He says : —
" I prefer a sandy loam for the growth of strawberries, and prefer planting the berries
always m spring. I would not advise planting all varieties in rows, I think the Dominion
will succeed better m hills. I tlMnk you will get finer fruit by adopting the latter method.
Between the rows I usually plant about three and a half feet apart and allow them to spread.
It i were planting in hills I would plant about three feet between the rows, and the hills
about one foot apart. In the row system I would not think of picking more than two crops,
and If the ground was any way foul I would not take more than one crop."
Mr. Dempsey, who grows strawberries very largely and under somewhat differ-
ent climatic conditions from either of the previously quoted witnesses, says :—
." Strawberries will succeed anywhere almost, if the land is properly cultivated and
drained. We cover them in winter with straw, and do not remove it in spring. W"i part it
a little to let the plants through, and the straw prevents the berrie.s from getting into the
sand. 1 don t think that the aspect makes any difference in raising strawberries."
Mr. Allan adds a further practical suggestion : —
•1 "\^f ^j^^*^ "^ ^^^ '**** '^*'"* "^ *^'® season's crop can be largely increased by workin"' the
sou and feeding with some fine manure and giving abundance of wp< _r, this could only be done
to advantage by amateurs, as the labour of going over a large field would be too great. lu a
tamiiy i)lot, the season can in this way be prolonged, the yield materially increased. I know
ot no crop that can be grown in a family garden with so much satisfaction as strawberries."
He goes on to say : —
"A good, well cultivated, mellow soil is most suitable for the growth of strawberries but
they will succeed on various (jualities of soil, so long as it is well worked up. Some small
growers increase the last part of thei; .lop by workinjf the soil after the first berries have
ripened. If it is dry weather the plants should be well watered. The vines may be planted
either in the spring (when they will give a full crop next year if well taken care of), or they
may be potted from runners in August, in which case they will give a fair crop the next year,
and a full crop the following year. For field cultivation I would leave suflScient space be-
tween the rows to permit of a horse scufilei being used. In the rows the plants «hf)ul(l be
fifteen to twenty inches apart. Some put them twenty inches and let them renew themselves
between the plants, taking out old ones and leaving the new. The chances are, however that
the new crop would not give so good a yield as the old one, the distance being too small to
allow the new plant surface food enough to produce a crop equal to the older tjlants. Straw-
berries feed from the surface soil only, hence the necessity of a frequent change of the bed
1 he hill system of culture does very well for amateurs, but when profit is looked to the row
system is best, as it gives a much larger average crop, although not always such large berries.
1 think the vines should be renewed after two full crops."
Tlie yield of strawberries per acre is variously stated. Mr. Dempsey puts it at
gives what may bo
ggests one or two
CULTIVATION OF THE STRAWBEIiRY. 75
to 100 bushels as the probable annual reS nf f^ ,1 • ^i'K'""^" '"entions 76
hxes the yield in favouraX Heasona at 200 1 ^\T' ""l*'^'^*'*'"- Mr. Westland
the price all round from ten to fiZn cents We wli''' 'T' T '''?' ''"'^'■*«' ^"^
a statement in the rerxirt from thTTInS^ . .? ""^ ''i^''^'' ^'«t'""ite still in
Wilson has been L S to Sd 8 (SS o tnr^^^^^^^ ''""* favourable seasons the
that there are occasi.ms wheTthc crJ' 1 !.lt 1 '''''^- .,^}^\^ can be no doubt
strawberry grower will rrrobllv b^w «« l^^'^/'^* ""1™!*^^. but the prospective
Demnsev's Mr Arnolrl^MrM V ^ '" *'''''"^' '"""^ ^"^h estimate as Mr.
^S7Ll^\^S:^:i:i'%;,^^^^^ i his calculations. The
crop under ordinarily favourable condfion, T J' //'Ina' P*'" *'^''^' ^« "^ »«^«»"'«
sev'en cents, it gives rgmsstturnS^J^^^ '^500 quarts as the yield, at
gathered from th'e evidSn?" would be aboSIs /oUo^: :- "^'^ ^"* ^^' P^^'^^^"-"' '^^
^K'?^,r;ear8''.'.'"''"'""^ ^''""*' •*^^' °^ ^""^'"^ the plants to
"at W nerl\''V^'' ?"'""'P''"»*" September, «ay "five months; ^^^ ^^
at *i per (lay, »!;)(», op per acre , Rn iv.
Pickine, one cent per quart, .ay 2,500 quart.; :::;;:;■ ■. 5,!!;
Baakets one-half cent each f-jj Vn
Add tw.nty.flv. load, of mnonre at fifty imt,,' til.io, or p,r«;pe 6 25
an-MhelSfftt'."' *" "^ ""• "«"'"™ »' «"" ■" "•""•Mns. ^nli;:;,!!," father
not on'; with".:! J 2'far bir'as H^^lhS;* w£r "tr""*^ *'^ "'>"?""" "^ strawberries,
we can We gr, w a better strawbLrvHvn^^ wl,ere they can ^row a far better sample than
an.l the farthe,- we t'e back thrttter we find theTW 1"''M^-' H'i\^ ^'"* "'''' "!'«» l''^*"''.
is common, but little of it is gathered" "''' ^'"' '* '' "*'" ^^t^""- ^he wild fruit
Mr. Bucke, of Ottawa, remarks :—
berr^ "^^^tnZ " W^ZSlr" w' "JStSf TV 'T ""* "?' "« ^^''^^ ^^'-^e for straw-
there is no necessity fo doing so if the m.le on^rSeTir '"*" P".awa every year, hut
sh-il^tt laS^i;^E.n,?:ion^ r X^e^Tof t^ S^S^^^^
mpsey puts it at
W ONTAIilO AOIilCULTUBAL COMMISSTOS.
CULTIVATION uF BLACKBERRIES.
The cultivivtioii of the blackberry does not receive a great denl of attention from
Ontario fruit growers. J'lie wild tliinibleb.arv i« a powerful rival for public favour.
The new Hochelle or Lawton was the first blackberry to attract attention, but it
has been largely supe'.v.l. >1 by another variety, the Kitti.tinny, a Hn.. berry, very
produchve and woil esf,ieiued. The Snyder is a smaller i.ut hai.ly variety. The
Early H ilson k. ai^o n, f,' .od berry and riijons earlier than the others. The black-
berry requires a strung »oU. Mr. A. M. Smith say.s of the cultivation ■ f the black-
berry : —
I'u^ have cultivated biackberrien to some extent, ,ni,l (im! the Dorchester and Kitf itinny
are the best, honietimea the latter variety are alf,;eto(l by winter. They are a profitable
crop I intend P 'J'>tinR more extensively than 1 have done. Ulackl .eirie« yield more than
ra.sp_bernes, pn.bably 2,001) or .{.(K).) rpiart. an acre. The average pi i e i.s liL'her than ras])-
berries, while the price of i.lantini,' tl„ ■: ' a', ut the same. For .,ne or two vears there
was a km.I of bliRht on one (,f i„y varieties. I coidd not discover an insect, but just
before the tune of ripening my caues bli^'hted. For the last two years they have been
exempt from it. •' '
CULTIVATION OF THE CURRANT.
The currant is an indigenous plant, although the w Id variety does not, like some
others, enter into competitinn with the cultivated fruits in our markets.
The principal varieties of red currants are known as the Red Cherry, La
Versailles, and the Victoria. Mr. IJeadle appeared to be under the impression that
the two first named were identical, but this view was not acipiiesced in by other
witnesses. The Red Cherry currant he regards as the most popular. The Victoria
Mr. Demp.-'jy considers inferior to both the others mentioned, whih; Mi. Arnold
gives the Red Cherry currant the tirst place for size and productiveness, but clainiw
it for the Victoria in point of flavour.
Of the white currants the White Grape is practically in possessson of the field.
Of black currants the Black Naples i.s the most popular, l)ut it has a very
powerful conii)etitor in Lee's Prolific, an English variety, which Mr. Leslie re^-urds
as superior to the Black Naples. The latter sutlers too, at times, by its name beuig
assumed for inferior and spurious varieties.
The red and wliite are profitable to the cultivator wherever there is a fair local
demand, although subject to some drawbacks in tlio shape of insect depredators
from which the black currant is partly :ree. They will be noticed in due course.
For black currants there is always iv market, and unless, now and then, a ^ ite frost
nips the blossoms, the crop is a very sure one. Large quantities of black currants
are used in confectionery, the jiricf! paid in Toronto being usually^!, and never
known to be less than $3.50 per bushel. The average yiehl is about a ([uart a bush,
or, at the rate of some 80 bushels to an acre, realizing at $4 the handsome sum of
$320 as the gross return. Against this would, of course, have to be charged the
cultivation and picking. The original cost of the plants would be about fl08 per
acre not including planting. The trees are usually transplantcil at two years, and
if reasonably well cared for will last ^'or ten years, or longer if skilfully and libi-i Jly
managed. They may be planted four feet apart each way, or a little more space
may be allowed, if room is not an object. The bhm. currant will do Wfll on almost
any soil, but Mr. Leslie recommends that, if the soil be light, they should be well
mulched the year round. They will 1 sar any amount of manure— good stable
manure being preferred.
From the evidence, more particularly of Mr. Leslie, there would aj)pear to be
room for an increased cultivation of the black currant, with a prospect of good
profit to the careful cultivator.
THE GOOSEBERRY, HR AN BERRY AND MELON.
OUI,T1VATION OF TFIE GOOSEBEURY.
77
The goosoborry ib i. native pliwit growing very freely and yielding in itH wild
state ui some HituationF a very fair Bizod fruit. Of the cultivated varieties only the
AiuenoHU sortH can be depended u[)on for a safe croi), the tondency to nuldew being
a 81)1 K.ua and woll-niKh fatal objection to the European varieties. Cases have been
known to the Ooinniissioners of the English berry of the Wliito Smith variety doing
woll, whde in the same grounds, but, perhaps in a rather less favourable soil, the
American berries were dropping mihowod from the bushes ; but such an -•'•ciirrence
18 exceptional. With regard to gocmcberry culture in Ontario, Mr. Beadk vys ;—
"There iw no difference, I think, in thijonini.m of Ix.tanists. between KnirltHh and American
KooseherneH, hut there in a ditterence in tlu-ir adaptability to our climate. The Aiiierican
Kocweberry sanative of thin country ; it is found yrowii.K wild. Those yooHt-berries thai have
Hiurceeded liere, so far, have heen developmentH of the indiKenouH phuit. The amount ot Halt
in the atmoHphere of Ureat Britain-owing to its insular pohition heli)s to keep up the humid
Htate ot the atmospher.-. I know that in Nova Scotia iuid New BruuHwick, within a certain
(li,*tance of the Hea, there ih a helt in which the KngliHh «<• mebeiry can be raised in perfection.
1 he portiouH of Canada, where they liave heen cultivated with Huccena, have heen very limited
I hey have always been nearest the shores of lakes or rivers so far as I know. So far as my
knowledge goes, attempts to grow the gooseberry inland liave heen failures. The wild goose-
erry grou m dry situations. Practically then the gooseherry of America i.s one that ought
to be cultivatalile in every part of the continent. Very little h..is been done as yet in the wav
of goosebmiy culture. Our Association distribnt.'d a plant of the Downing gooseherry to
each inember, tor trial, owing to its exemptitm from mildew ; we have reports of results' to a
imited extent. We have failed in the way of getting results of ol).s,rvations, and our members
have been ( 'itented to enjoy what they received, and keep the knowleilge to themselvea
too much.
Mr. Beadle has found that, Ly si^rinkling a strong solution of salt under the
bushes, the humidity of the soil has been kept up, and mildew avoided. Ho regards
the culture of the gooseberry as still in it.n infancy, and this \iew is probably a
■orrect one. The English gooseberry is the larger and richer fruit by far, and if," by
judicious t-'uiagemunt, a gooseberry can be produced approachini; to the English
varieties m their characteristics, but, at the same time possessing the resistance to
mildew of the indigenous plants, the cultivation of the gooseberry will be far more
popular and extensive. For canning purposes, Houghton's seedling is probably the
best, Downing's seedling, and Smith's Improved, being the leading varieties for
general use. The Wiiitc Smith is the most favourably inclined of English varieties.
It must be planted on a heavy clay soil.
then, a ' \te frost
THE CRANBERRY.
For marketable purposes, the cranberry en hardly be said to be cultiva 1 ; the
supply of the wild berries being sufficient for se demand. They grow in laarshes
or situations that are flooded with water in the s, lingof the year. In the Dunnville
marshes, and in the Trent valley, they are produced in enormous quantities. Mr.
Dumpsey mentions in his evidence that in gardens at Picton, the cranberry was
cultivated for private use, and they were the largest he had over seen. Whenever
the tun.' rues that the draining of the marshes, or other causes, cut off tlie supply
of the w t fiuit, some artificial means of flooding cranberry grounds will he found
jiiotitable and e\ : necessary to (Hiltivation.
CULTIVATION OF VHE MELON.
With a few extracts from the evidence on the cultivation of the melon, the
report on the s, bject of fruit culture will be brought to a close. Mr. Den'psey
says on this subject : —
"I have paid !-.. ^-on,! .loal <-.f r..t,tpnt!.--v. to the eultivftti-vu „f ':,nih v.-ater .and mu.^k nieiorm
Among water melons I esteem the Long Island very highly, though it ia not so early as some
78
ONTAHIO AGRWULTUHAL COMMISSION,
ttiKl the avwrage woiiM be peiliajm alx.ntHix
tlie table I osteem tli.« White Jai.an an.l Hk
IH more pr..fitrtl)le for the market. They rir
meloiiM ..MR year, aiKl thev are inim) si. ,l.f .ffL ? closely, We may Krovv a fine on.p ..f
yie... per acre varie«v,f;.S''Tr.t=tt:\:;~r;^
. al.,.nt H,x or e.Kht tonn. I al.o cultivate ,„„Hk ml\Z. For
Mkellman'N f-ine Netto '. The Nutmou immk melon
fiPHt oy^ept;m;l;rr:'^v;^;zir;manu% i\iz :!?f '"//'r "''""^ *!'« t'''i"« "^ AuRnntriho
The'ZLrmel.m'iHTHo tSX hSly^r* w'' Nutme, an.) the Cantaloupe are eHteeme.l
ripe melons about the en I o July or the Lin!rnf 'f *]"" ^"J'' ^nu'''''^" **'''>' »'«"•« = ^- h'^ve
in potH. or on reversed ho'ih a Vh«nL ,1 *^f1 ^"^;"'*' '^'l^^ "'" ^f*""^" *» hot-be.ls,
put out into beds o'lyTfeur Lu,tr „ each^^^^^ S'"l ""' *" ' " '?""/!:"" ^^'^'^ *'^«y "*••;
them. SuHhes are then i at over tC,, fnJ i.. fV ^''if '"7"^ l"ad «f hot manure ilnder
tin.e the seed i« sc.wnmt the autumn fr 1 ft Zl, ^''i' >'''%",* •''''^•""'' ■"" '''^««'* ^'•""' '»'«
A dark. sh,Uy soil is .»•eferre'i^rSt"sInd^or^lt;';:'it'Sc^s th Ji'^^sVa';:^'^ ""^"*^-
this^«'^;tn''An?h'"'''^T^^ '""'^h *» that already quoted in
CONCLUDING REMARKS.
The Commissioners believe that the review of tlie evidence thev havo now ,^o,.
eluded, will demonstrate to everyone, whether the facia have been hitherto admitted
not, that the Provnice of Ontario is pre-eminently a.lapted for tS/roS of
fruit subject, of course, to a wise selection of soil und situat On and fh« nnr^ i
description or variety of fruit best suited to eithe^or t " hr^aS^^t 1^^^^^^^^
consumpfon What has here been .said has b.^ /add esse.l not^^^
pomologist, but to the farmer, and it has been for his bcSS t'h- t tl. > n,.l« f '
dence has been obtained. The knowledge and .xperilncro t^e^ xTer : hive
thus been grat.utously placed at his disposal. Hitherto it is .lui"^.^. able hat
"iv nrSie'' "it'r T^""," Tf ''""-'''''^'^ "^ ^^"^t' ^^^ buiineLS.a m t b e a'
n„ nl,^ 1 1 ^* ^'""^ '''',™ ^''"^'''^ "P"" '"^^ '^ '"«r« incident to the possession of a
much and, or a means of supplying the wants of the family. Wh," hj bee
planted has often been planted without judgment in the first ^selection ■ .^atha
been grown has been inferior because uncultivated, and left to chance •' v^h • t las
been marketed has been profitless because ill-gathered, or damaged by' insets r
rnS.^b"?'! ^' '^' ^"r "'-''•' ^"("'^^^"tly evident that care and at'tention w 11 nv
and pay handsomely Nor can the etlect of so interesting and del.ghtfu a usuit
as fvu. culture, carried out ou intelligent principles, on tlie youn^r members the
farmer s family, be unworthy of consideration' The laying "it ort le ore .rd
the cultivation of the protecting hedges or tree belts of attractive ever-n-e mf the
care and pruning of the young trees or bushes ; the occasional etforts at ol aini, "
new var>et.,.8 ; the study of the habits of the insects that frustrX success nW
etlorts to circumvent these cunning pests ; and finally, the repaymeiirfr t^ ^a
care that l.as httle of drudgery about it, in the creation of LTorchL or fi
garden, giv.ng beauty to the homestead and bringing substantia pecuniary etr
besides-all this may surely be one moans of arreatin| tho tendency o? Sers" so '
CULTIVATION OF THE (lllArK.
7VI
to Bouk other imrHuitH, ami, in ovurcrowdud oiHus, tiiul too oft»n a far luss certain,
if inuro exciting ineana of omployrnont.
On thi'uo points, 'jufnro they loavo this branch of their duties, the Commis*
sionora desire to record a strong opinion : —
Fititt — They rocomniijnil tliat a phm shouhl be devised for the periodical collec-
tion and compilation of fruit statistics, and of such facts as sliow the state or pro-
grOMS of fruit culture in the aovoral Hoctions of the I'rovinco.
Secondly. -That a special means, shouKl as already suggested, be provided for
ascertaining from time to time tlio existence of new varieties.
Thirdly .—T\\nt a hand-book of information on Fruit-growing, as free as possible
from technicalities, which would at the smallest cost instruct everybody who desired
to know what fruits could be grown, what varieties are most profitable, and when,
where, and how to grow them, should be prepared, under proper authority, for
publication.
CHAPTER III.
CULTIVATION OF THE GBAPE AND NATIVE
WINE MAKING.
Although nature had marked out this country as the home of the grape, its
cultivation on a scale of any magnitude has been a thing of quite recent date. As
stated in a previous portion of the Report, the grapes of Canada are all descend-
ants of the two indigenous varieties, known respectively as the Fox and Frost
grapes, crossed together or with European wine grapes.
The Fox and Frost grapes are found over the whole of this Province, except in
the Muskiika and Parry Sound District, but it is stated in the report of the Com-
missioners, who visited that section of country, that the wild grape (if one or other
variety makes its appearance as Lake Nipissing is approached, where a somewhat
milder climate prevails than in the more southerly parts of the district. The
absence of lime is reputed to be one cause of the absence of the wild grape in
Muskoka, and probably this defect has been supplemented by the action of spring
frosts (jii the vines if any have ever taken root there. The cultivated grape, on
t'le other hand, was seen to be flourishing vigorously in many parts of the district,
and bearing a good crop.
The Frost grape is the smaller and finer leaved variety of the wild grape, and
it owes its name to the beneficial effects of frost on the maturing crop. Of this
.,|)ecies the Clinton is one of the improvements.
The Fox grape is the coarser leaved grape, its berries being larger, but more
sparsely distributed, not hanging like the Frost grape in thick clusters or bunches.
It is more sensitive to frost than the Frost gra])e. From the Fox grape crossed
with the best European varieties Rogers' hybrids have been produced.
The failure to fruit is common to both, owing to the plants in a wild state
bearing only male blossoms. It is probably a grape of the Frost variety that is
mentioned in the report from the United Counties, which says : —
"Native wild grapes, some of excellent form and quality, prrow everywhere throughout
these co\mties, and on the St. Lawrence islands on the dry limestone gravelly hills and riilges,
the soil being dee)) and strong. Or. the edge of a large marsh, where the vegetable soil was
deep and rich, a fine vine (native), heavily laden with splendid clusters of a grape, at least
equal to the Clinton hi size of bunch and berry flavour, has been seen by the writer of these
notes."
80
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
The European grape, on the otlier hand, wnatever its value as a cross on^ the
native grape, has never thriven on this continent. Mr. Beadle, in hid «vidence
was very emphatic on this point. He said : — '
" Many attempts have been made to plant the European grapes in Canada. The vinea
will grow for a while, sometimes they will bear a crop or two, but in the end they will all
sucfiumb to the mildew. During the winter I received an inquiry emanating from the Com-
missioner of Agriculture about some parties abroad bringing in and planting European grapes
and I replied it was utterly useless ; that the experiment had been tried and proved a failure'
and that it always would prove a failure."
A similar experience, nearly as unsatisfactory, it will be recollected, has at-
tended the efforts to acclimatize the European gooseberry. It is, however a source
of great satisfaction to know that, thanks to the skill and perseverance of American
and Canadian hybridists, we have been supplied with grapes of great excellence
and possessing most, if not all, the qualities necessary either for table use or wine
manufacture, capable of cultivation, some or other of them, in all parts of the
Province, and very free, so far, from injury by destructive enemies.
Speaking of ohe area best adapted to grape cultivation, Mr. Haskins of Hamil-
ton, who, with his partner, owns a large vineyard there, says :
"I have been engaged in the culture of grapes for v. enty-one or twenty-two years, and
have had a good deal of experience with such varieties of grapes as are suitable to our district
Ihe district embraces Hamilton as its centre, and the area between Hamilton, Niagara and
some distance round on the north side of Lake Ontario The area cf Canada adapted to
grape culture is very large, and I think would include ail tliat part of 0^^lri(J south of the
Great Western Railway, and some distance north of it. Taking from tuis city (London)
westward, and south to Lake Erie, we would include some of the best grape growing lands in
the Province. I understand that in Kingsville, Essex County, the Catawba may be ripened •
and taking that as a test it is a better locality than Hamilton. A friend who resides in
OtUwa, an enthusiastic grape grower, told me, that certain varieties of grapes ripened there
and I was surprised to learn that the Delaware was one of them. There are very few points
in the vicinity of large bodies of water where grapes cannot be grown. From my own obser-
vation, and from what I have heard of Prince Edward County, I think it would be an excel-
lent place to grow the earlier varieties of grapes. Grapes are a great deal cultivated in the
district lying between Hamilton and the Niagara River, vineyards being attached to manv
houses, and planting is going on yet."
Grape growing is successful in all the western counties. There are large num-
bers of grapes grown in the immediate vicinity of Toronto, and all along the line of
country lying between Toronto and Gait. Nor is the suggestion that grapes may
be cultivated on a large scale, and profitably, at Ottawa, at all beyond the limits of
actual experience. At Arnprior, in Renfrew, the Commissioners' found a very fine
vineyard in cultivation by the Renfrew Fruit Company. Their manager Mr.
Usborne, says in his evidence : —
" We grow grapes largely. We have fruited this year some thirty varieties. Among
otiiers the Dela^vare and Champion a.re early grapes ; Rogers' Nos. 1^8 and 19, the Martha
the Walter, the Concord, and the Telegraph, are useful varieties. I would not recommend
the Clinton, We grow forty-one varieties altogether, chiefly with a view to fruit, thirtv-five
of which we have ripened successfully this year. We have made some good wine -champagne
and s.)ine light dry wines. We have to lay the vines down in the winter and keep them
covered with soil to protect them from the spring suns. We already suffer from the curculio
on the plum ; we adopt jarring as a means of checking them."
Mr. Beall, at Lindsay, says ; —
" As to grai)es, the Delaware, the Concord, the Clinton, the Creveling, the Rogers' Nos.
4 and 1.5, and the Champion, have all been grown in our neighbourhood, and have fruited"
They do much better than any other varieties that I am aware of. The Concord, the Dela-
ware and the Clint<m ripen the earliest. I do not like the Champion myself, and would not
grow it. I agree with previous witnesses as to the pruning of grapes. I think they should be
prun' ' in the fall and then pinched in the summer."
The principal varieties of grapes mentioned by the witnesses examined in con-
nection with grape culture were : —
CULTIVATION OF THE GRAPE.
81
ins of Hamil-
The Delaware.
Concord.
Clinton.
Rogers' Hybrids.
Allan's Hybrids.
Hartford Prolific.
Champion.
Creveling.
Arnold's Brant.
lined in con-
lona. ■ Alvey.
Burnet. Merriniac.
Duchess. Agawam.
Moore's Early. Tallman.
Prentiss. Martha.
Niagara. Brighton,
liiana- Massasoit.
Adirondack. Poeklington.
Isabella. Wilder.
And several \innamed seedlings.
Some of these receive but a passing mention. The Diana, Isabella, and Adiron-
dack are referred to by Mr. Haskins, who says : —
"The Diana is an old grape which many people overlook, but I think it is a very fine
one. It ripens well with us if the vine is not allowed to grow too many clusters. It will
keep until after Ohristmas. Some seasons it ripens irregularly, which is a serious drawback.
Ihe Adirondack is a very fine grape, but too tender. The vines must be covered every winter
with earth, and then we are not always sure of a crop. It is a delicious, juicy fruit. The
Isabella 1 have fruited for several years, and, somehow, it degenerates. When we plant first
^« '^ a^.Ft- TJ"' ^'^^ J", '^^^^'^ y^^""* ^^ fin'i *hat we cannot riper it. The leaves will strip
ott and the fruit hang without ripening. 1 do not think it a desirable variety to grow."
The Alvey is alluded to by Mr. John Hoskin, of Toronto, who says :—
"cT^n^l^®'^ '^ ^ ^""fP® ^^^^^ ^^^ ^*^® '" Canada. My father-in-law and a gentleman
near ht. Catharines, and one or two others, I believe, are the only ones who cultivate this
grape. It came from the States, and is well known there. After reading descriptions of the
various grapes I selected that variety as the best that could be used for this country. I was
doubtful at first whether it would ripen in time, but I find it ripens a little too early if any-
thing. The oirds carry them off. It is not so prolific as the Delaware. Richness and flavour
are the qualities of the wine made from it. These two or three ideas I have mentioned are
merely for the benefit of people in Canada who feel disposed to make wine."
The Merrimac and Agawam, are alluded to by Mr. Hoskin, as being useful
additions with others to his red wines, and the Agawam is a favourite of Mr.
Beadle's, "because of its peculiar musky flavour. " "It comes," he says " nearest
to the Muscat of any of our grapes."
Mr. Beadle speaks of the Tallman as identical with the Champion, although,
that, he says, is a disputed point. The Beaconsfield he describes as the same
grape as the Champion. Any good white grape which may prove to be hardy and
productive will probably be next in point of profit. The Martha, Mr. Beadle
alludes to rather disparagingly. Mr. Dempsey has had no experience in the
Brighton, having only fruited it once. Of a group of seedling varieties, Mr. Beadle
speaks as follows : —
"I know of a large number of seedling grapes that are not in general cultivation, and
some of them promise to be good. There is one known as Moore's Early, whi.^h was origi-
nated by John B. Moore, of Concord, Massachusetts, from seed of the Ccmcord grape. It
promises to be a valuable early grape. How hardy it will prove can only be known when it
has been tried. I here are two or three white grapes which promise to be of value. One is
called the I rentiss, another the Niagara, another the Duchess, and another the Poeklington.
Iney are all candnlates for popular favour."
Mr. Haskins thus alludes to his experiments : —
"I have experimented a good deal with new varieties, both seedlings from standard sorts,
ancl also hybrids. I have had very good success, and have now some varieties which I con-
sider very proinising. I have been particularly successful in raising white grapes, and I have
varieties which I consider superior to the Rebecca, princijjallv because they are more prolific
and hardy and more of a held grape than it is. I have one white grape similar to the Sweet-
water and as hardy as the Delaware ; and another one which is a white Delaware and very
hardy. I have a third white one which has foliage almost as good as the Concord, and fruit
transparent and of an excellent quality, and very large. I have also two black grapes which
1 consider very promising. These varieties have been selected out of hundreds, the rest
having been discaided. I have one lilack grape, a seedling of the Creveling, which is a better
and sweeter fruit, matures earlier, and sets good bunches. It is a fine hardy variety, and is a
good Kiapc, cuIkt lor table or wine. I think tiie production of new varieties of grapes is in
Its intaiicy and that we will yet be able to inti'oduce new varieties which will rival the French
grapes, and enable us t.) produce more wine to the acre than they can in France— in fact we
can almost do so now. "
82
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
M
"I also like," says Mr. Beadle, "the Massasoit for an early variety. The
Wilder is another — a black grape."
The Burnet is a grape highly thought of by grape growers. Mr. Denipsey, who
has attained a high reputation in connection with the hybridization of grapes, is the
originator of the Burnet. He says of it, and of his operations generally :—
T,^ '^^^^ raised large number.s of seedling grapes of iny own from crosses. T have planted
the Burnet and No. 25 largely. Th** latter is a white grape, a little late, hut it ripenetl last
year with us. I have fruited about .wenjy varieties of seedling grapes. We describe them as
quickly as we ascertain that they are good for anything. Our highest number is tiO, but it
would not be possible to tell you how many I have fruited, as there are some intervening
numbers that never fruited. In order to test a grape for its fruit, it should be fruited more
than one year, as sometimes it will be very superior the first year and yet fail the next year.
1 hey do.i t generally show their best points at first, but may gradually develop afterwards.
In my experience that remark applies to other seedling fruits besides grapes."
Mr. Arnold, of Brant, remarks : —
"I have a very high opinion of the Burnet grape from what I have seen of it in other
lOC^Iltl6St
Mr. Arnold is also a distinguished hybridist. He refers thus to one of them—
Arnold's Brant :—
1 " '''^^„^™"* >8 o"e of my hybrids. Its parents are the Clinton and the Black St. Peter's.
1 place It first because it is the earliest among the P'rost grape family. The grapes of this
family hang until the frost comes, and they are improved rather than injured, while I'ox
grapes are injured by the frost."
Mr. Allan, of Goderich, remarks that Arnold's Brant is "useless unless it gets
a frost." ^
Of most of the more popular and established varieties the notices are frequent.
Of Rogers' hybrids Mr. Haskins snya :—
"The varieties that have succeeded best with us are all of Rogers' hybrids, except No. 1,
which 18 too late to ripen. Rogers' No. 4 is a fine grape, delicious and prolific. No. 1 is a
white grape, but it would be of no use to try to grow it with us. No. A is a very early grape.
It does not set a full bunch always, though it is worth growing. No. 9 is a very nice grape,
hut It IS a shy bearer, and so is No. 3. T'^ii-e is a peculiarity about the young wood of No. 'A
with us. It is of a red tint, and the same tint is carried ftito the fruit. The next one that I
know of 13 No. 1.5, which is a very rampant grower. It will <lo well on trellises, but if it is cut
back It v/ill not do so well. The Salem is said to be Rogers' best variety, No. 22 I think it is.
When It can be grown in a sheltered position it is a delicious grape, but otherwise it do.'S not
do so well. I have not been able to grow it successfully in the field. No. 3:5 is a black
grape, liable to mildew, but very good when it escapes the mildew. Rogers' hybrids were
originated by crossing the wild Fox grape with imported varieties. I think Allan's hybrid was
introduced before Rogers', and it was said to be the only cross at that time between the native
and foreign grapes. Afterwards came Rogers' hybrid's. A great many have been trying to
hybridize since Rogers was so successful,"
Mr. Dempsey has " planted a good many of Rogers' red varieties on account of
the high prices they command. Red and white grapes have commanded about
double the price of black grapes for the last two years." He recommends l*)gers'
Nos. 3, 4, 9, 15, 22, and 44.
Mr. Arnold says : —
" 5''"'.*^"""' consumption and dessert purposes I esteem the Brant, Rogert,' No. 3 and No.
lo, and there are a number of Rogers' other seedlings which are very good, all strongly
resembling each other." j o > n j
Another reference to Allan's, and also Rogers' hybrids, occurs in Mr. Dempsey 's
evidence. He says : —
All "y^l '^''^'^' *^^'' mildew last year to a considerable extent on some of Rogers' hybrids and
Allans hybrid, and it extended even to a Martha which stoo<l close to Allan's hybrid.
1 never saw the fruit rot on the vine except a few specimens last year; ind-'ed it 'could
scarcely be called rot, it was rather that the fruit seemed to cease growing. Insect enemies
do not (lamage our grapes to any extent worth speaking of
destructive.
growing,
the robins, h')wever, are Viry
Of the Hartford Prolific and the Champion, Mr. Haskins speaks as follows :-
"The Hartford Prolific I do not like, but many people prefer it because it is so early.
It
CULTIVATION OF THE GRAPE. ■ 83
produces large bunches but on the first cold night the berries will drop off. With us it rii)ens
W f A il'* nt^' "^/^"»"«^' "•- tlie first days of September. There is a similar graie to the
Hartford, the Champion, which came out lately, an J I believe it is a seedli'S of that variety
It IS earlier by fave or six days than the Hartford." • »«=«"""fe "i tnai variety.
Mr. Beadle also couples together the two varieties. He says :—
"There js a variety of grape known by us as the Champion ; it is known also bv the
nameof theTallman. At least I believe them to be the same grape, althou"h that i J dis
pu ed. It IS a very early ripeninb' grape ; it ripens with us in Augtst" and on that Sount it
sells readilv a.,d is a profitable grape. When T spoke of five cents a pound I meant that vvas
theretailnnceinour market. The grower does not get more than^three o"fm"r cents I
presume that during the grape season you could go int.. our stores and get the Concord for
hvecents but If you got a dozen pounds, you might get them for four cents per pound
isextto the Champion comes the Hartfor/ Prolific, which is very profitaWe be'causHt i^
Mr. Dempsey does not speak very respectfully of either of these two varieties
Me says ; —
.w '"^''n '^';*'* grapes we get on the market are the Champion and the Hartford Prolific and
they really destroy the taste of the people. Most of them have beeraccrtomed to J^^^^^
wild grapes. These two varieties are not much in advance upon thrv^Ul erapf ^hl
Champion grape commands a good price and sells readily. There have been very few on the
market. They usually bring abcut twelve and a-half cents." ^
of J.'l!.^°"* ^^ * ''^"^'^^ ^*"«*y mentioned by Mr. Haskins, of Hamilton, who says
" The lona succeeds with us, but it is rather late. I can grow it in any ouantitv but the
rip:ned"very Jear.''*" ""'''''' '*• ^" '"^^ ^'^^^'^ ^^-^ ^ -^^er oT^Nr/lsfand^'it^^i:
Mr. Hoskin, of Toronto, has a very high estimate of its quality. He says :—
I have ahout^?X?n/'^r' t""*""'^ ? think makes the finest wine produced on this continent.
Ln,Trp,l fnv ifi^ ^ ^ the lona vines. I gn.w it on my place because it is particularly^
favoured for its growth, being sheltered from the north. Except in favoured Sties 1
DeaiaTe^Lrrr'Lbo^t%w!ftf ''"•"' '!" ^'T ^'^^'- J' '' '^ t^rape -mewtt of h
jjeiawaie clahs, but about twice the size; it makes a very brsk and aromatic wine and is
altogether free from the fox. It is a hardy grnpe and healthy, but in ordinary nkces it does
he IsTa" L'^dSctT* {i--nk' 'f ^ )V' rf^'"^' r^'--^ y'^' ^'■«'» i*- it wl^l^ripen in
it i/^sSfio f« hI IVI "^r/i'' '}"' :"'''"? '*' '^'^'"^ cultivated north or east of this ;
more K t IVrir HV^J^^^^'^ro. After having given it a trial I put in some forty or fifty
m. le last .spring. There is no wme like it on this continent. It vvas for this wine an extra
m7nJfit«f If " '"? ^* the Kxhib tion. 1 exhibited six varieties of wine there and th"y gave
me the fi St SIX prizes, and I exhibited five i-i Toronto, and they gave me the first five prizes
Ihe ^modness of this wine was owing principally to the lona and Delaware " ^
fl^/^'i? Creveling is mentioned by the same witness as one of the three varieties-
spLkltg red'wkie ''^ Delaware-out of which he makes a choice
Mr. Haskins says of it : -
if 'i ^^^ Cre^veling is one of our b«st grapes, but it does not set a good crop. Occasionillv
t .e s a very fine bund,, but that i. ,.,.t always the case. In our vineyard we hav e tt? rows
of L.ev.lings throv|gh the field, planted a'.out twelvo ye.-.rs ag.., but I cannrsay vve ever <^ot
agm>d crop from them. They are in a v«ry exposed place, but I have a few^v nes in the
gra,le" "" ^ ^^''"' ''"''*'""' ''"^ ""^^ Vr"dnco fairly. 1 believe it is a South Ca!roh,' a
Mr. Beall, of Lindsay, as already quoted, finds the Creveling successful
Ihere remains new to l,o noticed only the three groat i.rolific varieties-the
Delaware, Concord, and Cludon. Of the Cncord Mr. Haskins says :-
np.r ^'"^y'f ''^ ?^ Conc.prd grapes, well cultivated, will produce five tons to the acre I have
ever seen the vines of that vari.-ty so overioad..! that the crop was too large to ripen but
tlii.i will hapiion with d her v^Di.tiPs, ke the iJt'ijwire n„f ; i '"f'j/" "l ' ". uut
the ConcoJ i. H„. .rape for the inilli^nrbeciuse i^';!^!! ^row anvw^^wfe;' ^^ll^V^J!^!';:
mng onougi,, ,,„., ,ulllll^l aiiy.snii will produce a goo.l M)p."
Mr. Hagaman, of OakviUe, who was called f-/ the purpose more particularly of
1 •< i
84
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
I'H
giving information respecting strawberry culture, proved to be an energetic grape
grower. He said : —
" We find the Concord to paj' the best. ... I have almost invariably a good crop of
Concords. . . . We do not use the Concord as a wine grape. ... I grew twelve tons
of grapes on my acre and a half last year. They averaged me last year a little more than 4^
cents a pound. . . . The crop came to about sixty j)ounds to the vine. ... I attri-
bute my good crop to the nature of the soil, and good cultivation."
Mr. Pettit, of Grimsby, also grows the Concord largely,
dence : —
He says in his evi-
"Of grapes, I cultivate the Concord, Diana, and Delaware. I find the Concord is the
most profitable. I think almost any soil will grow good grapes if it is jjroperly cultivated and
drained. I am growing grapes on clay subsoil, w'th a mixture of sand and ch^ on the surface.
I undor-drained thoroughly before I commenced, and I have a splendid crop of grapes this
jyear. My acre was planted two years ago last spring, being yearling vines when planted.
Ihis year I had over five hundred baskets, twenty pounds to a basket. 1 shoidd say that
twelve tons would be an enormous crop from one and a half acres, the vines being of seven
years' growth."
Mr. Morris, of Fonthill, while preferring other varieties, and speaking highly
of the Pocklington, still admits the Concord to be the one there is " most money in."
RJr, Toll, of Raleigh, Kent, cultivates the < oncord chiefly, and for table use.
About three tons per acre is with him the average production of the Concord, and
the price obtained from 3 cents to 6 cents y...- pound. The Concord too, Mr. Ti-li
says, escapes mildew which affects some other \?arieties. '' Practically, " he says,
" we have no difHculty in growing the Concord with ordinary oare. " M r. Girardot, of
Sandwich, who with his family represents quite an extensive grape growing interest
in that district, and whose vineyard the Commissioners visited, says, "1 hvve
tried several sorts, but the most successful is the Concord. The Clinton and the
Delaware are also good grapes ; but the Concord pays best. " He goes on to say : —
"I can grow between four and five tons to the acre. Two years ago the crop was about
ISO bushels to the acre ; last year it was 130. From four tons of Concord grapes we can pro-
duce between .'iOO and ()(iO gallons of wine. I am manufacturins wine both for my own use
and for commercial purposes. The value of this wire is about $1 per gallon. The Concord
grape bears evenly year by year, and for five years tve have had no failure of the crop. I
consider that grape culture in our part of Essex is a perfect success. I live in Sandwich."
He adds further : —
"The time when the Concord ripens depends a good deal on the season. Two years ago
we had some ripe on the 7th of September, but las^t year it was m the 17th or 18th of that
month. The later the Concord is pulled the better, but we have to pull ours a little earlier
than we should, for fear of boys and birds. If they were loft lute" they would require less
sugar when manufactured into wine. The Clinton grape makes very good wine, out it does
not bear so well as the Concord. Not only does the Concord hear better, but the benies are
larger and have more juice. The Clinton does not ripen evenly on liiy place, and there are
always green berries upon the vines even when they are ke[it late. These berries spoil the
wine. There are never any green berries on the Concord vines. The Clinton is susceptible
to a disease under the leaves— a hort of leaf-gall which prevents the grapes from ripening
well. "
In additif '. to his allusion to the Concord already qu ited, Mr. Beadle says ;—
"Concord grapes at four cents a pound will yield more money per acre than most other
varieties."
Mr. Dempsey says : —
" We grow the Concord to a considerable extent. The Delaware brings about double the
price of the Concord. If I were plant'ng a vinevard I woul,! limit myself to these two varie-
ties. I have planted a good many of Rogers' red varieties on accoiuit of the high prices they
command ; red and white grapes have commanded about double the price."
Mr. Arnold "thinks the Concord is perhaps the most profitable for market,
because the public have little taste, and it lool-.s well." Mr. Beall, as already
noticed, finds it one of the earliest lo ripen at I iudsay.
n
CULTIVATION OF THE GRAPE.
86
3 in his evi-
Mr. Bucke, of Ottawa, makes it the standard for his district. He says : —
" Any variety that will ripen before, or at the time of the Concord, will succeed with ub ;
anything later will not do."
Mr Allan, of Godorich, gives it as being, with the Delaware, the most profitable
for market jiurposes.
But, in addition to the rather equivocal support of one or two of its friends
already quoted, it is repudiated altogether by Mr. Hoskin, of Toronto. He says :—
"I know the Clinton and Concord are grown exteneiively for wine making' in Canada, and
that has given the wine of Canada a very bad name. . . I had some of the Concord and
Clinton vines planted, but I plucked them up. . . I don't use the Concord at ad. I con-
demn it for wine making. Of course you can make wine from it, but you will never touch
Concord wine as long as you have Delaware in the house. For quantity the Concord is to be
preferred, but it does not, with me, ripen so early ac the Delaware ; tliat ia another thing to
be oorne in mind in the cultivation of grapes. Your grapes ought to be gathered by the 1st
of Octol)er, for after that you are ne vjr safe from frost. The Concord is, if anything, a little
better for a little frost. The frost doe^^. it no harm. Slight frost will not hurt the Dela-
7\V'''to^r'^* ^'^^ '■'t'® ^* *"® *""'^' ^'"* '^ *h«y ^^'^ w"*^ >''Pe and are attacked by the frost thev
fall off. ./ rf
There is not much difficulty in putting the Concord in its proper place, not-
withstanding .Mr. Hoskin's very low estimate of its value. The Concord is ad-
mitted by all to be a hardy grape, and, with the advantage of not only bearing
an early autumn frost without injury but actually bettering by it, it is extremely
productive. It yields a large quantity of juice, and, consequently, as a grape for
making wine on a large scale and of ordinary quality is cultivated, while, as a
market grape, it always sells well. Mr. Arnold, as a connoisseur with the choicest
grapes at command, thinks little of the popular taste for the Concord, and Mr.
Hoakin, revelling in the manufacture of wines of the highest class, and command-
ing top prices, can atford to use the choicest of wiuv.' grapes.
In connection with the Concord, the Clinton and Delaware have both been
more than once noticed. Mr. Haskins says of the Delaware :—
"The Delaware is a grape that I would not be without. It resembles the European
varieties, perhaps, more closely than any otlier grape we have. We sell five or fix tons of
Delawares every year for table fruit, and it commands the market well. We sell them in
Hamilton, and m this city (London)."
Mr. Hoskin says :—
. " A-fter rearling all I could on the subject, and making personal inspections of some of the
yinoyarvls of Canada, I came to the conclusion that the best grape for wine makin- was the
Delaware. Ihis grape m the first place is very hee from what is called the ' fox.' "aU tliat
are interested m the cultivation of grapes know what that means. What we mean by the
foxy' grape is, a mousey flavour, such as maybe tasted in the Concord and Clinton- for
instance, the taste is similar to the smell of a cup in which a mouse has been. The Delaware
IS also very free from disease."
Mr. Beadle says : —
"Occasionally we see some mildew upon the Delaware, but not often. For amat^u-
growth I would like the Delaware." " '
Mr. Dempsey says of the Delaware : —
XI, ^^y*^ ^'™^ "*"'"'' varieties of grapes very successfully. The varietv that succeeds best is
the Delaware, and it appears to be one of the most profitable for market and for home con-
sumption. We arrow the Concord to a considerable extent. The Delaware brings about
double the pnc ; lie C ucord. If I were planting a vineyard I would limit myself to these
two varieti! ;.
Of the 0'!.itun Mr. Haskins says : —
"The Clinton grows very freely, and is very prolific ; the most so of any wine grape we
have, and that is all we use it for. Last year we had about twenty-eight tons of Clinion
grapes and they ripened perfectly, better than for some years before. There is a peculiarity
about wine made from Clinton grapes. It niakes excellent wine, but it ver-'sirps ,■!. fpw -r-^.-.-
to mature it : while other grapes make a -.vine that will be ready for use m a year. It fiolds
so nmch and in solution that it requires a longer time to precipitate it. The Clinton irives
200 gallons to the ton. " °
86
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
w
Mr. Toll had no demand f«)r the Clinton grapes and dug up his vines of that
variety.
From the evidence it would appear that tlie Clinton is chiefly esteemed as a
wine grape, especially adapted for tlio preparation of liglit acid wines. Some, how-
ever who like tart fruits prefer the Clinton to some of the sweeter grapes, after its
acidity has been mellowed by a frost.
THE MANUFACTURE OF WINE.
Wine making is so <;x(remely simple a process there is no very great room for
disagrocment as to tlu. lut thod. Probably Mr. Haskins is the largest wino maker
at the present tune in Canada. His process is as follows :—
'' After the grapes are gathered they are generally put through the mill so as to puncture
the skms a little without cru.shing the seeds. If we a>-e making one cliis^ of wine alone after
we have put the grajies through the mill, we put the whole mass, includiMg the skins, into an
open tank \Ve have tanks which hold about two tons each made of oak staves. Thp mill
18 set over the tank, and th ; grapes are put through until the tank is nearly, but not quite,
full-sav, within seven or eiglit inches of the top. A li.l is then i)ut on the tank, anil the
mass 18 left th.re f.)r a fevy duy^, care being taken not to allow the grapes to mould. In case
we fermcnf Uie grape.s with the skin we get a red or da.-k wine, that is, if we use a dark
coloured gr.ipe The Concord grape makes a very good light wine. The grapes are put
immediately into the press, and the first run is put away as the best wine. After having
pressed the reir-undei, and added sufficient sugar to give it proper strength and keep it, the
seconil I'lality ui wuk- is made. In making the second grade, water is put in to diss.dve the
pulp. Ihe hrst run i; put away in barrels, will make good wine without the addiniim of
anything, if the grapes have been well ripened. Before the second treatment we allow uer-
hajis about a week to ehpse, but the tanks must be closely watched for fear of moulding I
uiKlerstand that in trance there is even a third pressing, which makes the Vin Ordinaire.
Vou mus^ have 10 per cent, of saccharine matter in order to have enough natural spirit.
All the light wines contain 12 per cent, or more of spirit.
. '^Vh<^n t'*^ ^,'"*' '* '", the, barrels, you must leave the bung loose while fermentation is
going on. the sedime.it should be taken out about Christinas. We generally rack it off with
a siphon the tube being put down within four inches of the bottom. The Clinton wine
requires longer to mature than the others, and should have at least three or four years. The
ditlu'ulty with some who make wine in this country is that th.^y think it sho.dd be Ht to use
m three months It should be kept until it is quite bright, and the fermentation has alto-
gether ceased. If you look into a vessel which had contained Clinton wine, you would find
crude tartar deposited :n the f<.rm of crystals, in large ouantities. The suhseq'uent treatment
IS only a question of racking off, and keeiiing the vessel bunged, etc. If you .Iraw off half a
vessel, and leave^ the other half, you will find that the wine will be injured if a very li-'ht
wine. 1 think the Concord grape wines and the Diana will mature earlier than the Clinton.
"There is no radical objection to the addition of acertain portion of sugar for the purposes
of sweetening and maturing tiie wine. Sweet grai)es should mature if properly vijA^'d but
producers are apt to put m all together, and then the mixture is fortified with the addition of
sugar, ihere is no reason why we should not raise grapes here with a su.fieient ouantitv of
saccharine matter to make wine as good as tlie import-d. I am satisfied that we will vet be
able to raise wine that will rival the best imported article."
Mr Girardot supplies one or two additional hints on the subject of wine-
making : —
' ' In making wine I generally use a cid3r mill, though I could use anything else that would
answer the pur|)ose. \V e throw the graphs into the mill and grind them, and we then throw
the luice- skins and all -into a tub hoMmg one thousand gall.)ns. If we want to get a white
wine we dravv it off before ,t begins to f .rment. Tlie rem under we leave to ferinnit from
eight to ten days, and that makes the red wine. We can generally guess how much sugar to
put in. We use only the purest white sugir, as the l)r,)wn imi)arts an offensive taste to the
wine. The grapes themselves will give emiugh ' l;ou<piet ' to the wine without adding any-
thing else. We should be careful to use only clean barrels. We leave it in the vat eLht or
ten days, stirring it every day exce,.t the last two, so as to give the juiee a choice to go to the
bottom. It IS then put int.,. ca^ks. the bung ju.t. U.U^g i-v.t m lightly s,- that the fonnentaiion
may go on hoine put a bag of sand on the bung.h(,le. The wine is left in the casks until we
think the fermentation is over, and then we tighten the bung a little. The balance of the juice
incs of that
THE MANUFACTURE OF WINE.
we press a little, but we do not mix the second lot with the first, as it makes
87
a poor quality of
Mr. Hoskin, wJio as has been noticed, makes only the choicest wine, gives the
following us his metliod ; — ' f'"^'"' ''""
"My process of making wine is very simple. I have no machinery, and use no press at
\^. V\^'T'' *■•? I'"t "It" vats and covere(f, and the man just presses them soueezes them
w,th 1...S han.is, and rul.s then, round with a stick, but so as not to' bruise t e stoTs He S
tl.e slightest poHs.l.le action so as to get what is really good juice, and fr m th s proc^^^^^^
juice will flow away If the grapes are ripe. The grapes are allowed t rem ah. five or six davs
inthevats. erm«,t..,g; 1 d.m't do anything with them during that time When the S
begins to fa 1 a little 1 draw it ..ff into casks ; I throw out the re.sidue t > the inLure l"ea,,
The fermentation goes on probably for a month in the cask, which is bunged m, I don't use
anything for rehnmg the w ne ; it come, out as clear as crystal ; it is w ne a ter it is run out
into the casks. 1 only inake one description of wine, and do not mre (^,y fr„„ 'sec^^^^^^^^
pressing. I never put spir ts into the wine, because in the first ,.lace it destrovs what vou i av
Se L'l£lX,f a rt' the S '' ^"" ""^'^ '^''''' - ^'^^'-' - -'- tlfe^fitta^yoJ
had ^i^;!i;3S^^^^^f i^^:ij:f ^^ %^s^^^'^^^^^-^ S
c.mpared with the ordinary li«ht wines is stronger. I don't make a bus ness of seHiL the
wiiie of cou.se, but I have realized $7 a dozen bottles, champagne quart iTnS In who^v
Siate' whaSnn fe'' '"* ''''"' '' ^'^^ "^ " "'''''''' ""'''' "^ P— '^'i-- -" I oterved'no
The question whether Canadian wine could find its way into the foreign market
was pretty fully discussed. That it would stand the voyage had been fuUv and
s^ractorily tested in Mr. Hoskin's evidence. ^
;" Mr. Hoskins says^on the subject of a foreign trade :—
" In view of the fact that a large nun.ber of vines in France and other European countries
are be.ng dest. .,ye, I by the 1 hyl oxera, I think our prospects are good. I never'^had an v view
of sin, nnig the wine t,. England. I remember showing one wine to a gentleman from 137
mingham, and when he tasted it, he said he would take all we had of that k id, C l.amJ, ed
only t.. have a littie. It is asortof wine which wo are endeavouring to pr.. luce from ou^ow'
see. ling grapes and I am satisfied that if ue can produce it in .lUiuitity we will fiml a reidv
market in hnglan.l for all that we can make. I see nothing to prevent Ontario fmmleco.S
a xv,ne-p,.oducii g and wine-exporting country. . . I thfnk the duty on wine in Eg' if '
half a cnmn (60 ceu s per ga Ion J am satisfied that I could sell winea,f the kind T n entio Ld
t. almost auy ex eiit m Eugland. It is ^vhat might be called a light port. I do ot k^ lovv
whether w.^ shou d sell it as pr.rt or ghe ,t a new name. If we were introduci our winel
into England I think it would be betle,- to name them after s,.n.e por on o m.r c,. ntrv
Eiiand.'"' '" '''""''' "°* "^'^ '' '"^"' '^'^ ^ '^'^'^"•J ""* ^<^ '^We to sell i^ i^
Mr. Girardot says with regard to his experience .—
"I was born m France but I don't think there is any part of France where grapes lieir
so much or ,lo so well as in Essex, l.v^. acpiainted with the culture of thrvTne it^Fr nee
e«ec.,minghere. In that part of France I came from, vines are cultivated up m small
M ' ;' "h '^'? '"i^'' ' ^"? "'" ^i'ltivate ou trellises. I p.-efer the wine ma.le f rom thrC^mc" r
grai.e to that which is made in France. I think the clarets and other light wi, es wh ch we
inport tmm I ranc.> are inferior to our Concord wines. The latter would heT medium wine
between N o. 1 ,an, No. 2 In 1878 1 took out with to me France samples . .f nat ve w" ne n a^.uf.e
tu. ed in .Sandwidi, and connoisseurs there .leclared it superi,)r to the Vin Ordinate Xh is
sol. in that country un.ter the name of Bordeaux. Witllout the duty we c. ulT [mport Vin
0. bnaire ata cost ..f from oO to (iu cents a gallon, but that wine would not be t u f to ,mrs
iiS t;?itz:s, z^^^r7^^^^ pt^:;:^-^- w:^alr{^i-n
anything like' so wholesome as" oui;;-i;ca;;e ^tL"Sgn ^Sf is^'^ieS^^ d^ctoi^^ 3
t«S
88
ONTARIO AOmCULTURAL COMMISSION.
COST OF PLANTING AND CULTIVATINO A VINKYAHD.
Mr. Hagaman, of Oakville, gives the following as the cost of planting a vineyard
an acre in extent : —
;i()0 posts, at ten cents each $30 00
DiKK'ii'tj liolea for jJOHts 5 00
Wires for jmstH , 15 00
Working tho land first year 20 00
Putting in puats .■ 4 00
I'uttinfj uji wires ... 3 00
Staples to hold wires 2 nO
800 vines (Concord), at $8 per 100 24 00
Thirty loads of manure .f 3e», or, if the ground be thin, well rotted manure 45 00
$148 r)0
Of the foregoing some $83 is chargeable to capital outlay. But it will take two
years before the vineyard begins to bear, and then, »)nly in small though gradually
increasing (juantities. In three years the grower may have a paying crop. So to
the $H'S must consequently be ailded, not only the S45 for manure, but also three
years' rental, say, $10 per annum, or $30, and tliroe years' care and cultivation, say
$00, making altogether, an outlay of about $218, n(jt allowing for any casualties in
the meantime, or interest on capital. Once establislied, however, a moderate
amount of manure and cultivation is all the land will need, the pruning antl tying
up the vines, and picking the fruit, being of small account, compared to the results
of a paying crop.
Mr. Haskuis thus describes his method of working his vineyard of some thirteen
acres : —
" I put about four men on in the spring to prune about thirteen acres, and they get
through in two or three weeks. Then comes the tying up of the vines, which is done by
women. We cultivate with a gang plough, and the soil which was ploiigh'-d up to the vines
in the fall is hoed out when the first weeds begin to come. When the vines grow out, we find
there are many straggling shoots, and thu women go through them and tie those up which we
want to save, and any hmg vines growing over are cut off. Wo just keep back the tops. We
never thin them out. In picking time we employ about twenty-five hands — two men and a
number of women with baskets— that is when we are picking for" wine. Picking market fruit
is done by two or three careful hands, who go through and select the best. For wine, the
vines are picked clean, and the fruit moved to the cellar every night, and put through the mill
the same niglit."
PLANTING THE VINEYARD.
" The first requisite in planting vines, unless the land has a gravelly sub-soil, and is
naturally drained, is thorough tile drainage, (iood, deep ]'OUghing is the next thing, and it
woidd be all the better with sub-soil ploughing, although that is not absolutely necessary. I
think that is all the preparation required if the ground is in proper condition. For planting
I would select vines two years old as being better than those that are either older or younger.
No matter how large the vine is when planted, it is set back for a year, and I don't think
anything is gained b.y purchasing vines older than two years. If the ground is in proper
conditiim, and kept cultivated and free from weeds, and wire trellises are used, there is very
little (iitticulty in growing grai)es. Cuttings with two eyes, put in sandy soil, and proi)erly
shaded and watered will usually grow. I would shade them till Sei)tember. I first take "a
frame like an old hot-bed frame, then a few light lath frames, covereil with cotton, which can
easily be lifted off when you want to water the plants. They require a thorough watering
twice a-week. Very few propagate young vines for themselves, but I have rooted thousands
of them. On Navy Island they are grown in a cultivated swamp, covered or mulched with swamp
grass, and they succeed well. Of course they don't require watering there, as the ground is
moist all the time. I think growing them in a swamp is as good a way as any. liut they must
be raised in the fall, and trans] >lan ted in the upland. If left in the swamp in the winter the
roots would perish. Vines treated in the way I have spoken of, planted the second year in rows
on dry land, would be ready to plant in the vineyard, if well taken care of. Those in the frames
need not be transplanted. In the vineyard I would plant the vines ten feet between the rows,
and eight feet between the vines in the rows."
Mr. Haskms adopts the following mode of training : —
" I prefer growing vines on trellises. We use cedar posts with four wires. The vines are
gcncnilly j^laiitcd running :;;;rtii and south, and I find that if the wires arc £xcd on the east
sida of the posts the prevailing winds from the west are sure to blow them down. It is there-
THE VINEYARD. 89
fore better tn fix the wires on the side from which the prevailiriL' winds cnm« T,. -,vo„
the (lilficiiltv of t iH wiret. poiitnictin" in the wintpr tL'«n.l f .1 • • overcome
the postH. notches are cnt n,,o„ ti e T.u er u f ce ofe , 'u e'noi,rwr"" .""""^^
pass throuKh. an.l pieces of' oak lun.l.er, one oot lonj an two i tl^.^^^ s^^^
rollers to winch the wire, are respectively attache.!. When they arrn,,t t ! ht\ on 'if h^'
oak rollers are turned and dropped into the notches on the posts, !vml thus th^ wires are hSd
His system of pruning is as follows : —
the :iz S^t^^:' wj'lizr^..^5L:!:'^'c:S'" ;;;.v?r i:^n'';;j ^^'^^^ '' '^ "- - -«
retain them, and the old ones as well On pn nin«' Ih X a^ "^'"l
we cnt out the old wood unless it is very viu( r ous an 1 ,ro.n ^in r^ ^ r . *''" ^""1'- '^"'"*
they ..:hould he renewed whenever the7e i' yo m j w , .' re.'ew S^
rq.r tSh -t^. ^jf szK iz kia^i!£iFh:ri^I^^
rtr^im. ^csiiS-:- ;^tt;tSrn- sHiS^
nis.st on cuttmg Lack to one eye. hut would say, cut oS eitl.er t,. Z\,r T; eveJ T «
grai)es are m a garden the liest time to prune is ii \,)vember a,i,l if n IWZ 'I r ,,
prune in March, leaving them on the trelli es th rouu tl e win ■ T u ,?1 '-^''"''l^ '^"".•'*
As to the aspect of the vineyard, and the manure best adapted for vines he
south. If you start the vines at two years old thev will take root th^ Hr^l " '""^
cane in the second year, and in the third vear vm/^I iV. ,,1 . rfn / •. -P, •^•^'"■' *^7"^^' ""«'
woo.i, and in the foLth'year .?ou should hre/lullTillp.^"^ '' '"''' '^"" "'"' '^ ^"""' ''''^^^ "^
For the mildew on the grape, the application of sulphur in powder in verv
small quantities, IS a curative. "' "i powucr in very
l.«<.\^"r''"'r *^l'' 1T^'°'* is, for and in the interest of the a<rriculturist, it is need-
less to .lescribe at all minutely the Catawba variety of grapl-, althouHi i r , lu'.n-
a ^vlne of rare and well-recocrnized merit. The Catawba is occasion lly la,; ed
n the Niagara district, and at fav.mrable points on the s.,uth-western coast Le
In some few spots it may ripen pretty regularly, not missing more tlmi once iri
SIX or seven y^^rs, but in the Pelee Islands alone is its cuUivation so su e as o
be earned on for the manufacture "of wine on a large and marketable scale At
that^place however the industry is a large ami, no doubt, highly protital b one
The alleged but disputed presence, in this country, ox' the Pliylloxem^d
the natuij of other insect enemies of the vine, will be dul,; noticed heiia er
ro the farmer whose land is not worth more than $3 to $i per acre who can
make his posts out of timber otf his own farm, and obtain the services of hs whole
fauuly in connec ion with fhe management of the vines an-l tiie harvest '? is
f'^ii'lo li^^X' hf '-^It-^^'T'!:'" '^^ ''^'^ ''''•'' "^ *^^'" to grape cultivation Shurdl^
auite so well adapted to tins c<i^l, Hulmai^;' Alilo^r^ ^''" ""'' "'^ '''''
ii
!>0
I J
'! ■
"'
ONTARIO AGlilCULTUliAL COMMISSION.
CHAPTER IV.
FORESTRY AND ARBORICULTURE.
In dealing with the large and very attractive subject of fruit-growing, the Com-
missioners have had occasion to use only the language of encouragement, but, in
connection witli the topic they have now to discuss, they have to utter words of
warning, perhaps even to give expression tn some alarm, for, from the day that the
first piimeer settler entered Upper Canada until now, a process destructive to our
forest wealth has been rashly, recklessly, wastefully, and it may even be said
wantonly, going on.
No one seems to have stopped to inquire into the relations which, particularly
in such a climate, the trees of the forest bore t<> the operations of the husbandman
affected the rain and snow fall, protected tlu crops, or served any other purpose
than to supply fence rails or cordwood.
If the farmer who entered the country fifty or sixty years ago were told he
might have secured for himself at this moment, in timber alone, an lunount equal
to the value of his farm at the higliest given price, and that he could have obtained
this without sensibly diminishing the area under cultivation, he might be incredu-
lous. But there are, nevertheless, many districts where such an a8sertir)n would
hold good, where a fortune which might have been saved has been split up into
snake fences or sent whirling in clouds through the stove pipe.
Meantime, while men have toiled early and late to shelter themselves and their
families — and let us hope their cattle too — in comfortable buildings, and to pro-
vide the necessaries of life, they have deprived the " staff of life" of its natural
and necessary shelter, and seen, time and again, perish before their very eyes, the
wheat and clover on which have depended much of their prosperity.
Small blame, it is true, attaches to the pioneer in a wooded country if he does
cut and slash at all obstructions somewhat ruthlessly. The early settlers in Upper
Canada often found themselves in circumstances almost desperate. They had
neither roads, nor markets for timber if they preserved it, and, surrounded by what
seemed to them an illimitable extent of forest, they naturally took small account
of what might be the state of things in the days of their grandchildren or their
great-grandchildren. But it is surprising to see that, even with the bare facts
staring them in the face, our farmers who are- practically to-day the owners of the
remaining timbered lands of the Province in all the settled districts, are in a con-
dition of profound lethargy or innocent unconsciousness of tlie dangers they invite
or the losses they incur.
Still there is time even yet on many farms in not a few of the counties, for
waste to be prevented, danger averted, and money saved, if men will only shake
off the apathy they have hitherto exhibited, and see the true state of affaurs in the
light of self -interest, not to say self-preservation. *
How little idea of providing against the continued depletion of the forests many
of them have, was well illustrated by an incident that occurred during one of the
early sittings of the Commissioners. The witness before the Commis.sioners was a
gentleman enjoying beyond most the confidence of his brother agriculturists — an
admirable specimen (jf an ii telligent and substantial yeoman. To the question
whether anything had been done in his district in the direction of replanting forest
trees, he replied in an almost surprised manner :—
" We do not think that we have reached the miserable condition which requires us to
face that difficulty yet. We have more bush than there is in many parts of the West. "
But it happened that, just before, this same gentlenian had told the Commis-
sioners, that his crop of. fall wheat had been saved from winter killing — by what?
FOEL'STIiY AND AmiOTmuiTVRE.
uds !■'
ft ihj
91
ifiDuious value, m the cl«aruig pii.oeHH ; not only have thev deiiiuU.! th«if
;iic™7;,';;:.ur::';r= ""* ^"'^' 'r ^'^^^^ •''•'''! "i^ thei^ st™. Ss'
t m li; be^n aS^^ '' """*' '"'^^^ " ^'"'""'''^ water-po.er ; but
of fuel rnX,;.?. I "•' u .'" r^y ^'''* *'^''^ *•»« cle8tructi<.n of their 8i pnlv
1 iho .ru buB^r knTthlSi" *'"' «^«--""" «f *^ C..n,nm..on.r8, w!;S
tin.he. that .,,i ! ^H:^ K », ^S Std ^Sl? ^.^Il^l^SJilT
1 1 is proposed, therefore, now to notice :—
acres in exteT'"''""* "" *^''''"' ''™^ ''^ *^« ^^^h' "«"«"y f^^- Ave to twenty
2. The ecinomic uses of the several varieties of timber.
4 m^^ "larket value of various woods.
4. Ihe age of trees matning, and conditions in which they are merohantable
5. Tree planting nicludzi,.^ choice of trees, methods, and cost '""'"'^^"^^b^^-
6. The cons ruction of w ul-breaks or shelter belts in iields ai d orchards
7. The planting of trees and shrubs for ornamental purposes °^''''^''''-
PRE.SEUVATION OF .STANDING TIMBER ON FARMS.
The usual treatment of the standing timber on a farm unless clpnrpd f.. v.
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ONTAUIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
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maple, elm, etc., was carefully protected; and the result has been, that these comparatively
flmall reserves have continued to furnish, under the same management, sufficient firewood for
the wants of their owners, as well as much useful material for repairing fences, gates, and
out-buildings.
" On many farms in Ontario, however, not an acre of wood is now left, and on many more,
the small reserves are rapidly dwindling away, so that planting would seem to be the only
means of providing -at least in country districts— a supply of firewood for the future, unless
our farmers nre to burn coal, and become dependent in a great measure for their fuel on a
foreign country. "
By selecting (1) such trees are in demand for mechanical purposes, and (2) those
of an inferior class, for fuel ; carefully cleaning up iiU mere rubbish, and encourag-
ing the development of seedlings and second growth by judicious thinning, the
timber crop will be literally perennial. Where too, it is necessary to clear, belts, or
clumps of second growth, may be profitably left to form shelter belts in the first
instance, and timber-yielding plantations in due course. In the course of his
address to the Commissioners, Prof. Buckland menticmed a little incident within
his experience, bearing on the last suggestion. He said :—
" The question of raising trees from second growth is a practical one, and I am. aware of at
least (me instance in which the plan was successful. About thirty years ago I was staying a
few days with a farmer in Prince Edward County, who was clearing up eight or ten acres of
bush and burning it. Three or four acres were covered with second growth maple, and I
persuaded him to leave that for the jtnrpose of a sugar bush. He did so, and now it is one of
the most beautiful little sugar bushes ou can find in Ontario. This, of course, could only be
done where the maple is the predominant wood."
,COPPICES.
The subject of coppices, or the cultivation of young timber from the stumps of a
former growth, is discussed in Dr. F. B. Hough's very able report of 1877 to the
United States Bureau of Agriculture. Some of the information given by Dr. Hough
under this head wir. be of practical interest in the present connection. Dr. Hough
says : —
"The coppice is a growth of timber of various deciduous kinds, from the stumps of a
former growth, and is usually cut before maturijty, at intervals of from ten to forty years,
according to circumstances and the uses to which the product is to be ap|)lied.
" This mode of cultivation is in great favour for the growth of firewood, and the smaller
wood used in various industries, and is the means by which tanning materials are often
produced from the oak, where reliance is necessarily had upon this means for supplies.
"The coppice of short period produces hop-poles, and the stakes nnd vine props so much
used in vine-growing countries, and in many parts of this country may be able to supply, with
but little care beyond protection, the fencing material and other woods required for farm
purposes. It is destined to be in future of great importance in the growing of poplars for
paper-making.
"Tlie trees that sprout best from the stock are the ashes, elms, oaks, poplars, eottonwoods,
willows, chestnut, linden, mount.ain ash, maples, sycamcire, birches, alders, and hazel. The
beech will reproduce but slightly, except in very favourable conditions, and the conifers not
at all, with the single exception of the California redwood.
" Whatever may be the effect upon the durability of the timber by cutting at particular
seasons, we have, in case of coppice growth, no alternative choice, and must cut in winter, and,
by preference, toward the apprt)ach of warm weather but before the sap starts, as at this time
aione will the stumps be in best condition for sending up a vigorous crop of young shoots.
The months of February, March, and first part of April are generally best for this labour.
"In cutting, with the view of reproduction, the stumps should be left low, and the tops
sloping and .smooth, so as not to admit water. It is sometimes the practice to dress off the
stumj) in a convex for n with an adze, taking especial care not to separate the bark from the
trunk. It is along this line of union, between the wood and the bark, that the young shoots
start, and if separated they will not sprout. . . .
" In the cutting of coppice woods it is often the pra.Mce to leave a certain number of choice
trees of the more valuable kinds to grow to full maturity, and thus acquire a much greater
relative value than if cut small. These reserves may be kept through two or three periods or
'revobitions.' They influence the young growth by their cover and shade, and when properly
distributed may be, on the whole, benefauial rather than injurious to the future crop. They
should not cover more th!\n a twentieth, or at most a sixteenth, part of the whole surface. As
the same stocks will be weakened by repeated cutting, care jhould be taken to secure new
roots from time to time, and one means of doing this is to bend down the tops of some of the
FORESTRY AND ARBORICULTURE.
93
aprouts and bury them i^artly in the soil, by which means new roots will in some species form,
anji when fairly estahliahed they may be separated from the stock. Such sprouts should be
held down by hooked stakes, and the tops kept in jjosition by a piece of sod."
It will be seen from the foregoing hew important a source of wood supply, and
of income too in many cases, the gradual and judicious removal of the larger trees,
and the careful and intelligent cultivation of a second growth may become. If in
clearing up land a strip or belt of timber were left on the north and west sides of
every ten or twenty acre lot, and intelligently handled in the way suggested, not
only would a very excellent wind-break be maintained, but the farm would yield
two crops annually in place of one, with very little loss of space, and with, probably,
a gain rather than a loss in the value of the grain crops.
ECONOMIC USES OF WOODS.
N^Tiile pine has, in everybody's mind, a certain recognized market value, other
woods are often regarded, or at all events treated, as though they were all but
vyorthless, or, if marketed, handled and disposed of with little practical intelligence.
Since the sittings for taking oral evidence closed, the Commissioners— impressed
with the importance of the subject — have put themselves in communication with
Messrs. John Oliver & Co., of Toronto, a firm referred to by Mr. Hay in his evidence
as large dealers in hardwood lumber. Messrs. Oliver & Co. have been good enough
to supply the Commissioners with a considerable amount of additional information,
and their statement will be referred to in the Report.
The value of timber in an economical sense, must of course depend on the
purposes to which its several varieties can be profitably adapted. The principal
uses, in general terms, of Canadian forest woods, exclusive of pine, are ac follows : —
The Elm.— "Rock Elm," says Mr. Hay, "we don't use except for building
purposes. Soft elm makes a better seat for chairs than basswood." Carriage
making, heads of barrels, and hubs of waggons, and agricultural implements, are
also mentioned as utilizing elm in considerable quantities. Other classes of elm are
la limited demand, but chiefly used for the manufacture of common furniture.
The Ash.— Of the white ash Mr. Hay says :—
"White ash is a very valuable wood, ^d makes excellent bedroom furniture. It may be
used for house fittings. ^ prood many offices are now titted up with hardwood, and also rail-
way^ carnages. Ash is : I largely by carriage builders. There is no wood will stand like
ash m that respect ; it is next to mahogany. It is a shame to see our valuable wood cut down
and wasted as it is and as it has been."
The ash is now being used to a very considerable extent in the construction of
the mterior of railway passenger cars. Bent stuff for tools, agricultural implements,
hay-forks, hoe and broom handles are also manufactured from ash. The use of ash|
for the internal fittings of buildings, alludec" to by Mr. Hay, as practicable, has
accordmg to some other reports been pretty extensively adopted. Mr. Beadle
referrmg to his own experience, says : — '
'' When building my own house I found I could obtain chestnut and ash wood as cheap as,
or cheaper than first-class pine, and I used them. I think they aie much more handsome
than pamted woodwork."
Black Ash is more plentiful, but its uses are limited.
The Maple.— Mr. Hay says of the use of maple in his business (furniture
manufacturing) : " You can get any quantity of the hard maplo, but it is the soft
maple that is the most valuable. It is the more valuable for furniture as it stands
better and does not warp. Soft maple is not so plentiful as hard."
In the United Counties soft maple is sometimes used for house-flooring ; it is
also in some demand by agricultural implement maaufacturers.
Mr. W. C. Caldwell, M.P.P., of Lanark Village, says ;— " Hard maple is used
for waggon axletrees as well as several other purposes. I had an order for some
from Manitoba, but could not supply it in time. " Maple has also, according to one
report, been used for paper pulp making.
The Oak.— Oak is used for a variety of purposes, the manufacture of barrel
I
94
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
staves being one of he largest causes of demand for this wood. It is also used to a
con^derable extent ni agrxculturai implement manufactories, and for ship building.
Of oak, (say Messrs Olner & Co. "there are considerable vaiietes- white,
red groy, and blue. The former is the most valuable. It is found in several part
of the Province principally in the North and West. A large quantity of it is made
G^7d^'CnV P^'' ^"^ ''T''" 1 f'\ ^rr^y "^«"*'""« ^" 1"« evld'Lnce tkl the
cZtvT fnr i!^^'""^ ^'"^'^ ^7^^ ^^''^.?^ ^h'*^ °^k from his section (Prince Edward
iC^l^ ffi -P J'"'^i of making railway cars. Ties are also made of oak, where
and^' wtri?k 1^*^^ ^v" ' ."'• ^^- ?"y ^""^'''^ *° °^k because it is hard to work,
ThJZ of R ™f ^i^^f ' nevertheless it is not unfrequently used for furniture
nitiS wrl« « f n'" ^'^l-' "^ ^^"'^"1' ^'^""focturers of church and school fur-
niture, writes as follows with regard to the use of oak :—
but wJLr olfislaluabSor ^anV^fh"™**"'"'- ^^ ^^'*f """^ ^*« '"^^"t ^"^^^ ^*« «""ect ;
out wniue oaK is valuable for many other purposes, namely, staves, bent ware and carriai7«
Th Jill "* '* 'f ' ''"l ^r ^'""' •"" ^.^"'^l''^' ^^^^ '* '« ne^'-ly as scarce as wanuUn this country
and will soon have to be imported in the same manner as walnut country,
1 here are, however, other varieties of oak, black or red, and yellow of which there are
StUlT*.'^'"''"-^" P'^/*' r^,.*'l^ '"""^--y- "^"th of which are well adrpteJfor f^Sure behie
fr,d S^VV^^^TIV""'^.""* "*^^".*" ^^•■P «'• change its shape, besiderbe m/easX w%St
vLleSn? whit^'aJh!" " "" "''"'^ *° ^'^"'^^ ^* "' appearance'except walnut, ^nd perhlpssSe
" ^f^^'^ht state that we use it entirely in church furniture and school work and it is to
ttoffitorant """' °' "''^* " '^^^"'"'^ *° ^^''^"^ ^ -^-"^^^ wtd isXTng'dllroyed
"As you are probably aware, fashions change in wood like in everything else Twentv
hve years ago It was all mahogany and oak, then walnut; at the present "f fsimitSn of
valuaw'wooT"^ '"'"'"^ "' "'**^ " ^"''''''' ''^ "^'^ *« ^°"°-' ^ ^^Lh else oak wiTl bocomel
The Chestnut.— Of this wood Messrs. Oliver & Co. say :—
Prov'i™\r"s''warnuI '^'its'nrvlTnl'/"^ ^^"^ remains is confined to the same limits in the
prTvate r.tficos " P^nciple use is in the finishing of churches, also public and
The Poplar.— a considerable demand has sprung up for poplar, the wood of
which IS used for making paper pulp. In the Niagara district, and in Prince Edward
County as well as elsewhere, it has been eagefly secured at from $3 to S4 per cord
for that purpose The demand for poplar for this branch of in^'- try is likely to
ncrease rather than dimmish. Poplar is also used to manufacture charcoal for
^melting purposes. "^
■a7^^J^^^''^:~^V^'^?} .*^^ "^^P^"^ disappearance of the walnut, the black birch
wood - ^l*«™^*i^« ^itli furniture-makers. Mr. Hay says with regard to this
" Black birch will be the only wood you can fall back on in a few years In the north
tW IS a great deal of it. It is an excellent wood. At present it is not C because it i" not
ftiR r^^fi """IV^^* ''"J ^"|,"*'*7 "^. 't north, and it can be purchased at the mill readily at from
$15 to $16 a thousand Black, birch is to be found in all the northern regions l^ereis^
great deal in the Manitoulin Islands, and in the Peterborough and Haliburton district lUs
to be fonnd also m Muskoka. They have been shipping biroh from Lower Canada these
many years back. It ,s quite an article of export there', ^lack birch is mixed wU. the dTf
ferent woods of the country in large quantities. It is very easily detected aiioter trees
I don't use so very much of it now, but it is on birch we shall have to fXback after tl;
walnut is gone. It .s rom b rch that these perforated chair bottoms are made I think there
orb"rch\ha;"5irwo'ir '"^'' '"* '' '' '''' ^^^'•^^- ^ "^^^'^^^^ ^^^ ^^ for that'ktl
Messrs. Oliver & Co. say of the birch :—
The Beech.— Beech has no standing in the market except for fire- wood.
FORESTRY AND ARBORICULTURE.
96
The Basswood. — Basswood, like poplar, is in good demand for paper-making
purposes. Mr. Caldwell, M.P.P. , also refers to it as used for furniture, and for
boxes in starch factories. All that can be got is shipped to Oswego. Mr. Hay uses
it for furniture. It can be used in some cases in place of pine, and is cheaper than
clear pine. Mr. B eall says : —
"Baaswood, until lately, has been largely used for buggy making, but it is not so much
used since the Introduction of bent wood for the bodies of buggies."
Thk Whitewood ok Tulip Tree. — The whitewood or tulip, which grcws exclu-
sively in the warmer sections of the Province, is used largely by carriage-makers in
constructing the bodies of carriages. Messrs. Oliver & Co. say, about the white-
wood : —
" A few years ago there was a large quantity of this wood growing in the western part of
the Province, bilt owing to the great demand for it, it is being rapidly consumed and is now
very scarce. It meets a ready sale at good prices. Its principal uses are for car and carriage
building, and in the manufactuie of Ti'miture."
The Wild Cherry. — A large demand for this wood has sprung up, chiefly in
the United States. Mr. Hay says of it :—
" In supplying the place of walnut, cherry is a very valuable wood. They are using it
very extensively in the United States, making ebonized furniture from it. It has a very close
grain, and it is very fast disappearing. I am speaking of wild cherry. That tree grows to a fair
size. We get some lumber twenty and twenty-two inches broad from it. I never saw a
cherrj tree growing, so that I can't say how much lumber there would be in one. I can't say
whether they are high or not, but some of them grow to nearly the same girth as walnut.
"The wild cherry forms a resource to fall back upon in the absence of walnut, but it, too,
is fast disappearing. We are exporting wild cherry largely to tlie United States, where black
furniture is very fashionable, and cherry lumber takes the best stain. I think it is as endur-
ing as walnut."
Cherry wood is a''<«o being used largely in the internal fittings of cars and public
buildings.
The Walnut. — The Black Walnut, so far as it exists, is the staple article in
demand for cabinet work of all kinds. Mr. Hay thus refers to this wood : —
"When I first came to this country there was very little walnut used, but one or two years
afterwards it came to be used more extensively. I think it was Sir Peregrine Maitland who
fist introduced walnut here, and who was the Srst to make it fashionable. Previous to that
they had used cherry, or any of the common woods. Since its first introduction, walnut has
been the staple fashionable v;ood for making furniture.
" When we first commenced making walnut furniture we got the wood from Canada West.
A great deal came from about Port Stanley and the banks of the Thames, in Kent, Essex,
and south Middlesex. We now obtain very little walnut indeed from that part of the country.
"Lately we have been getting our principal supplies of walnut from Indiana. The
walnut grown in that State is as good as that grown in Canada, but as you go south of Indiana
the walnut is of a lighter shade. The dark walnut grows best in a climate such as that of
Michigan or Canada. I don't suppose the supply in Indiana is inexhaustible. I have been
told, in fact, it will not last a great many years.
"When I came to Canada first they used walnut for rail fences. . . . _ The principal
value of walnut is that it is an excellent wood for furniture, and is handsome in appearance.
It is universally admired, has a close grain, is not liable to be much affected by changes of
temperature, and at the same time it is not hard to work. It is a very valuable timber
economically.
" I couldn't say exactly what time it would take for a walnut tree to f^row to maturity,
fifty or sixty years at least. I don't know any other part of Canada wheve walnut is to be
found except the district I have mentioned. There was a little once in the Niagara District,
but that has been cut down. There is none at ail north of us. I don't think any careful
examination has ever been made of the walnut region to ascertain how much of the wood may
still he remaining ; but I am sure there can only be very little left. I have never appointed
an agent for that purpose. Walnut is admitted free of duty into Canada ; it would be a
desirable thing to replant walnut. There would be a great market for it."
Black walnut is being used in the manufacture of sewing machines; organs, and
car building, as well as for the purposes already mentioned.
The Butternut. — The Butternut is mentioned as being used in many cases as
a substitute for walnut for cabinet work, since the latter has become scarce. Mr.
Hay does not, however, utilize it to a large extent in his business. He says : —
I
9« ONTARIO AGRWULTUIiAL COMMISSLON.
Sycamore.— Of the Sycamore, Messrs. Oliver & Co say ■—
being used as subsiitutrs!' *= ^'^ *" ^® ^"''^ for it, soft elm and basswood are
or onToTotL^nTZ'"' '^/^•^^^^^^«- "T^^^^ ^f --^ «on«tant demand for these woods,
or one or other of them, for rails, posts, railway ties, and many other DurnnRP«
Hendock bark is also largely in request by tanners for tanning hJes P^'P'^^'^^-
COMMERCIAL VALUE OP WOODS
eje2£;s.Tf !sia= SITS £^-ru„t s^L^z^
to the miUs. The prices given are, per thousand, board measure ._^'"°^'* "'*'^'*^
Walnut, best quality, according to thickness and lengths $60 to $70
" cv,ii3 ....■;.■;.■ 50
B^S^Sf^' '^"^*^' "'^^^ '' ^^ff*^' I'^'^e'knots and-Bhakes: : ! ! ! " ! : ! ! ! ! ! ! ] ! g
Whitewood " " «« << « „ 22
Chestnut " " << i< <> <, 21
White Oak " <« << « « ,< 18
White Ash " " <« « << „ 17
Hickory " " << n i, ,, 17
Eock Elm " " " u « ,, 16
Sycamore " <' « << <> i, 13
Balm of Gilead " " " " « « 12
Birch " " " << K ,, 12
Black Oak " " " «< << u H
Grey Oak " »' << « i< „ H
Black Ash " " « < « ,, H
Basswood " " '• <i ,, H
Maple " " « . <i „ 10
Beech " " " n << ,, 10
Soft Elm " " " << << „ 10
CEDAR-HEMLOCK-TAMARACK.-For railway ties from these woods the railwav
companies pay as high as from |20 to |30 per 100. railway
USEFUL HINTS.
The firm, whose list of prices has just been quoted, also give some excellent
practical advice to farmers in this connection. They say :— excellent
"The kinds of hardwood lumber most in demand, either in the Dominion or fnr «vr,« ^
are walnut, cherry, butternut, chestnut, white ash, white oak wh Lwn vlTnri K r^^^S
of which are nowin good demand, as manufacturers arelncre^srng the 'works andTew orS
are springing up m every part of the country. In the course of rfewverrs these woflwm
become very scarce, and some of them will become entirely absorbed Thkwni?a Yu"
more common kinds, such a« maple, birch, soft elm and wSlsh,?o take theL S es ' "
Our farmers, who own timlier lands, cannot be too cdreful of them and shoddn;^ f}...„
with a sparing hand, for in the course of a few years their value will b^largely Seased!
Ill fm
FORESTRY AND ARBORICULTURE.
97
18 and finer parts
some excellent
"Our export trade is confined to the States and Great Britain, the former taking our
sawn luuiber and the latter being supplied in the shape of square timber."
CARELESS SAWINU AND PILING.
A great loss is sustained by want of care or skill on the part of the small loca'
millowners, in the manipulation and piling of hardwood lumber. Messrs. Oliver A
Co. say, on this point : —
"One of the greatest drawbacks to the hardwood timber business is the difficulty experienced
in gettmi? the lumber properly manufactured. While there are many mills distributed through-
out the I rovince, very few of the sawmill men seem to know, or if they do don't care, how
they^ cut their lumber. In most cases they will cut the logs through and through, thus leaving
the .leart m the lumber and often one or more inches (jf bark on one side, besides making the
boards of uneven thickness. When they measure such lumber they do so on the wide side,
and make no allowance for heart Itmiber. This is the source of great trouble to the purchasers,
as when properly measured there is a great difference, even in a few thousand feet. All hard-
wood umber should be cut free from hearts and shakes, and, when cutting, the logs should be
turned so as to make the lumber as clear as possible, as a piece of good lumber, either inch or
thicker, six or eight inches wide, is worth far more than one twice the width with a heart or
shake lu the centre or on one ed-4e ; further, it should all be cut uniform in thickness and par-
allel width, and also square edged. Then, again, a great loss is occasioned by improper piling
of the lumber, a,8 often good lumber is completely spoiled and rendered worthless from the way
m which it IS piled. The piles should be started on firm foundations laid north and siouth, as
lumber piled m these directi(ms prevents the hot summer sun from splitting the ends. Each
length and thickness should be piled separately, and, except in long lengths, should only have
two cross pieces ; in lumber twelve to fourteen feet long, these should be about nine feet apart,
ihe piles should have a slope of about six inches. This can be ;l(me by placing the back strin-
,pr six inches lower than the front. This fall causes the rain to run off. The front piling
strip should be put across at the very end, or even a little past the end, and each board or plank
should come a little forward of the one below it. The piling strips should be over each other,
or rather a little in front. I'or instance, a pile twenty ftet high should overhang say two feet,
and a straight-edge put up on the front of the pile should touch all the front cross pieces, and
not touch the ends of the lumber. The lumber should not be allowed to remain uncovered,
but should, as soon as piled, be covered with culls or cheap lumber. The ends of the covering-
boards should extend cer the front and rear, and be tied down or have heavy pieces of timber
thrown on the top to keep the wind from blowing them away. The piles should be finished as
quickly as possible.
"If sawmill men would only attend to the above instructions they would get from one to
three dollars per thousand feet more for their lumber."
TREE PLANTING— AOES AND DIMENSIONS OF TREES.
Hitherto the observations made have applied more particularly to the case of per-
sons owning timbered lands of lesser or greater extent, and to whom the economical
handling and management of their bush is of very great importance. The subject of
tree planting will next receive some attention. It is probal .e that not a few farmers
iieglect the work of planting forest trees from the notion that their growth will be
so tardy as to make the outlay of time and a little money worthless to them in their
day and generation. The idea of handing down a fine estate to their sons is not so
constantly present to the minds of Canadian farmers as to those of men in older
countries, and a craving to achieve— even at some loss— immediate roturns, is one
of the weaknesses of the times. But it is possible to show not only thav very speedy
benefits of a practical nature may be conferred by tree planting on the doil itself, but
also that, in actual money receipts, the investment will in a few years be a paying ane.
Horace Grejley has some very excellent advice to give under this head, and it may
not be out of place to quote his utterances here. Greeley was, it will be seen, an
advocate for the gradual substitution of new woodland plantations for the old
forests— a very wise policy in most cases when carefully carried out. His first m-
marks are in that direction. He says : —
'1 \ ^''^^t **'^ ^^^^ ^ believe in cutting trees as well as in planting them. I have not said,
and do not mean to say, that I believe in cutting everything clean as you go. That was once
proper. . . . It is still advisable in forest-covered regions, where the sun must be let in
before crops can be grown ; but in nine cases out of ten timber should be thinned or culled out
rather then cut off; and for every tree taken away at least two should be planted or set
out* • • •
I
98 ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
niLlK-ii* f"*y ^r"'. ""' ''«?*«'■ «^«" *»^a° ^'"8 would it be to buy Tn rockv JauL'v
and wESe pine!" ^ with chestnut, walnut, hickory, white oak. and the seeds of locust
He then meets the difficulty above suggested. He says :—
fl,13*"^ farmers are averse to planting timber, because they think nothing can be realized
therefrom, for the next twenty or thirty years, ^hich is as long as they SctTo live But
wl^^fff K * f * ^^^ every Stump ; and, so that wood will yield a clear income each vear
twote iLtf Sw ^M^ffi^ ""^ '"i""."'^-. I ^? ""' adS reSion to tC
aTaSomViSv^V year X^^ KoS"' P''°*'*"° "' '°'^^* '""''^ ""^^ ^"'^ ^^^^^^ y-'^l
+,-nJf the Report of Dr. Hough, already referred to, and from which the quota-
hv M. n ^^- ^f«e% IS made, is a statement bearing upon the same subject made
%,t ni- • • "^.^V" ^^^ ''°"'"^® °^ ^ ^«°t"''« delivered at the Industrial Univer-
sity of Illinois, m 1869. Mr. Galusha says :—
black w^^ln^nf^til'T ant ^^^/''P^?'® of raising a growth of ten acres planted with white ash and
eSljtTulbi^'foriurber^^^^ .^^"' ''"^*''' ^'•°" "' *''°"* *^« '^^' '^*«' ^°^ ^'« ^b-"^*
feet'Iitennl.'I^TjiM" plant 5n rows eleven feet apart, running north and south, and three
mfv h! fi- ^ * * J^® marks for corn). This will secure straight trees, being closer, and they
rhCmSes" Thi« win'"-"" ll^\ '^'^ ^"^y ^^^" ^""^^ «"""»1^ to use'for grape stakes, bea^
cfesThn Ih in Tn " ^r.^ 300 trees per acre, or ;3,000 trees in all, allowing for some vacan-
™„ «r£^r f «7 "^tree planting, whether in groves or screens, a supply of good plants
CatthllTofthefirsf;^^^^^ '^ " "^''""^ *" "^« '"^ «"'"^ vacancles^/hich^hou'ld be
..Jl 3"i'^ P''^P?;'?tion of the ten acres at $5 per acre would be $50. Average cost of seed. .50
t fi/r **'''• *''• /i»"ting, $25. The cultivation during the first five years will be paid for
wi« „ T' l^r" ''"t^««2/or«- , J°'' cultivation from fifth to ninth years (four years), w th
^Itll ^^' *f-^ P"" \^^^' ^^^5- 4?t?'" thl« time no cultivation or care will be needed. This
^-Tfl fi ^^ °f *■ '° ^^^'^ ^"'1 1*1^""'' °f the ten acres of trees, $200. These trees will at
Whp/It ft/w\f T'- .''^''T ^'''teen inches in diameter at the ground, and about ten
umlw irfri °^iir' ■"'*^'" ^'^K 7'^'? ^"l 8'^^' deducting waste in sawing, 120 feet of
wI^^L^- ^, ^"T'"^ oi!f;'^''th for damage by the elements and lo^s from other causes,
tYsml <^n %'u^ numbers 360 OOU feet of lumber, which, at $50 per thousand would amount
wrM; Jn " ."!v.°^ *^^ *''^^. t°P« .f*"- f«el would be eoual to the cost of preparing the
ilthal f (' A- the expense m sawing would not exceed $-. per thousand. This, added
leaves sTfirmf'fr"^ the trees, and the amount deducted from the value of the lumber,
^ZZJ^^^IZa^^ "?^ °S *^" *T' "J^^*"** ^""^ twenty-five years and the interest upon the
f~?ili P u '"planting and cultivating the trees. This statement may be deemed
W !ffc; ' P^^^^f '.I'y those who have not previously turned their attention to the subject ;
^o^ff'f- ^ T^ ^"'^ many vears' observation and measurements of growths of different
varieties of irees, I am convinced that in all well-conducted experiments in growing artificial
ftated."^°° "'"' "^^ ^'■'''"^'' P™**' "^"^ °°* ^"^^ ^^'' '^ *' ^"' "'^^'t of the rftes above
As the owner of a large farm and other landed property, Senator Allan has
FORESTRY AND ARBORICULTURE.
lator Allan has
taken a deep interest in this particular question. Ho has been able to fix with
considerable certainty the exact nge of several varieties of forest trees, and gives
the results in the letter already refen d to. What the size and quality of the
tree may have been, and how far it would have been marketable at earlier stages
of its growth may be inferred from its measurements at maturity. The Senator
says : —
"In enumerating the trees which I conBidar desirable for plantinR, I have named only
those which could generally he obtained without any great difficulty or expense, in almost
any part of Ontario, and I shall now give some data, which will show what growth these
trees will attain within a specified time, taken from memoranda kept by myself, or which
have come into my possession, and for the accuracy of which I am prepared to vouch.
"Elm trees taken from the woods as young trees of about 6 inches round the stem, and
between 8 and 9 feet high, have attained, m forty-five years, a height and girth round the
stem at 3 feet from the bottom, in several instances as follows :— One 60 feet high, H feet in
circumference at 3 feet from the ground ; one 6 » feet high, 8 feet 2 inches in circumference at
3 feet from the ground ; one 00 feet high, 7 feet 9 inches in circumference at 3 feet from the
ground. Another elm planted about fifty years ago, a small tree from the nuisery gardens,
has now grown to a height of 70 feet, with a girth at 3 feet from the ground of 8 feet 6
inches.
"A red oak, planted as a sapling about forty-eight years ago, is now nearly .50 feet high,
and measures 5 feet 8 inches round the stem at 4 feot from the ground.
"A maple of the same age is 6 feet 5 inches round the stem, and nearly 60 feet high, and
two others planted within the same period, are 6 feet in girth at 4 feet from the ground, and
between 50 and .55 feet high.
"All three of these were, when planted in their present position, young trees about 6 or 7
feet high— just the size at which they can be most safely transplanted when taken from the
woods.
" Of beech I have no record that I can entirely depend upon, but I believe one that I
measured, which gave nearly 4 feet as the girth at about the same height from the ground,
and was about 38 feet high, has been planted over forty years.
"A butternut between forty-seven and forty-eight years old, measured 6 feet round the
stem (4 feet from the ground), and has attained a height of 75 feet.
"Of two ash trees planted fifty years ago, tme is 60 feet high, with a girth of 6 feet 5
mches ; the other about 65 feet high, girth a little ov<»r 6 feet (3 feet from ground).
"It will be seen from this memorandum that the elm has made the most rapid growth of
all these trees, and the maples come next ; although the ash is close upon them.
"Of evergreens (native), I can only give with certainty the white pine. Two of these—
both planted fifty years ago— have reached, one a height of nearly 70 feet ; the other a little
over GO feet. One measures 6 feet 6 inches ; the other a little over 5 feet, at 4 feet from the
ground.
"It will be seen, therefore, that, within an average of fifty years, trees transplanted at
just such a size as they can be safely and conveniently taken up when growing in the woods
(say from 5 to 6, 8, or 10 feet high) have attained dimensions, which render them very valu-
able as firewood, as well as being perfectly sufficient for many useful purposes about a farm
for which timber of a moderate size is suitable and requisite.
"I do not think that, with such facts aa these, it can be said that there is anything
visionary or impracticable in the means I have suggested for meeting the coming scarcity of
timber in Ontario, and supplying the wants which will soon make themselves felt, even by
the present generation of fanners, and will certainly press heavily upon their children, if not
provided for in some way or other. "
On this very interesting subject, other witnesses before the Commission also
gave evidence.
An indication of the periods at which hickory and walnut will be of marketable
value may be obtained from remarks made by Mr. Beadle. He says :—
"Hickory trees might be planted quite close together, say three or four feet apart, with
a view of thinning them out after they get as large around as' a man's arm, because wood of
that size would be valuable for many purposes. Black walnut would require to be planted
farther apart, because they would be of no use until they were about as large around as a
man's leg. Besides it is rather umbrageous in its style of growth, while the hickory is
upright."
Mr. Beall, of Lindsay, has experimented with the black walnut. These trees,
in fourteen years, from the seed, have attained a growth of some eighteen to twenty-
one inches in circumference, are twenty feet high, and have borne nuts for five
years. He says : —
" I would consider black walnut the most valuable of all trees for forest planting. I
100
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
know It will Krnw and succeed in thia di8trict. I do not know of any perann who han j^own
It or utt»-ni|.ted to do ho Imt mynelf. I Iuivh aliout Hfty verv Hne treen. I Imve MotnH that
will nieiiHure from hix to sevun inchoH in diunmter, and are a^ont twtinty feet liigli. I Jiave
grown them from nutH planted in !«(!«. [ know of no tree that will grow ho easily, ho rapidly
ana with ho little trouble. The trees 1 mention are hearing nutH now, aii<l I think I obaerveil
nuts on them five years ago."
Mr. Loslio Hays of the American elm and European larcli : —
1 " '^''^ American elm and Kuropean larch would also he Huitahle for this purpose. The
latter inake.s the best railwfiy ties of any wood in the world, as it is almcmt iiideKtructihlo. It
IS a very rajJid grower, am. in ten or twelve years' time the wood Ih of men hantahlc propor-
tions, iiiKt useful for many purp tes. ( )f course it would not be fit for railway ties by that time,
out suitable for manufucturiiig purposes."
Of the butternut and hickory he says : —
♦u "♦T^l |>utternut is a very fine tree, and a quick grower, a little more rapid in its growth
trian the black walnut, and is useful in many ways. It makes capital wood for veneering,
i he hickory is hardy i s far north as Peterborough, but is a slow grower, though it can be used
tor many purposes when three-quarters of an inch or an inch in diameter."
Mr. Caldwell, M.P.P., says on this subject :—
"I would plant elm, maple, ash, and basswood, all fast growing trees, mingled with spruce
ami cedar as evergreens, as well as i)ine. I think an elm would be forty to fifty years in
attaining to ten or twelve inches in diameter. Tlio soil would have some etf«ct on the growth,
but 1 Uo not think that either ash, maple or basswood would grow much faster than the elm. A
maple eight inches 'n diameter might be tapped for sugar ; I think it would then be twenty-
nve to thirty yeart old. I have not experience enough to speak positively on that point,
fiombardy poplar? twenty-two years old, measured by me, are from six feet to eight feet four
mches m circumference.
Mr. Henry Ives, quoted by Dr. flough, gives, in the spring of 1870, his experi-
ence in a communication to the New Vork Farmers' Club. He says —
" i'ive or six years ago, I planted two acres with four-year-old seedlings of white elm and
sott maple into forest rows sixteen feet apart and three feet apart in the row. Now the best
ot them are twenty feet high and twelve inches in circumference, and, for thinning out the
rows, 1 sell trees for more money than wheat would have brought grown for these years, and
can continue to sell so until they are so large that I can take them for firewood, and I am
growing a good crop of orchard grass between the rows. So that these trees in forest timber
are paying as well, and are likely to pay as well for years to come, as any other acres on the
larm. lam cutting now the second crop of wood, where the first or original timber was
taken off about twenty-five years ago, and last winter 1,000 rails were taken by a neighbour
trom one-third of an acre of growth, besides a quantity of timber from the top, and timber
not making rails. Another neighbour used nice black walnut lumber in building a fine farm
house, sawed from the trees he had helped to plant when a boy."
The value of ..e white ash has been specially noticed. In a paper, published in
the iransactions of the Northern Illinois Horticultural Society, it is shown that, in a
ten-acre plantation, raised from seed, at the end of twelve years, with good culture
tor the hrst four years, and proper soil, the grove would have 12,000 trees on the
ten acres, averaging eight inches in diameter.
REPLANTING AND ORNAMENTING FARMS.
The method to be pursued by the intending tree-planter, as well as his outlay,
will depend much both on the particular object he has in view and the money he
has to spend. As respects deciduous trees, farmers will generally look to the
threefold object of planting merchantable timber, finding shelter and shade for
cattle, and beautifying their farms. The deciduous trees— those that shed their
leaves annually -are not the most useful as wind-breaks, because it is just when
they are bare of leaves protection for the crops is most needed. Nor would the
ornamental designs of the planter be attained without recou se being had, to some
extent, to the most graceful, in an artistic sense, of all trees, the members of the
coniferous family, such as the Norway spruce, Scotch pine, and others. It will
however, be convenient to notice first the deciduous trees in view of their genera
utility for the purposes above referred to.
FOliKSTHY AND AlxHOliKWLTURE.
von
"I would locominend," BiiyH Mr. Boftdle, "for fnreHt plantinj;, the hivrd maple, partlcii-
livrly an u tr«e wliiih will hv. very val\iulile yt^t in niir country. ... 1 am not particularly
paitial t(. the Hilv«r I'-aved nii'.;;''j, thi)\if{h it in a moHt p<i[iiiiar tree with nwmt plantors heca\i«e
It Krown ho rftt)idly. The hard tnanle \n a, more nynunetrioal tree, and the foliajje in very clean
and free from innect d'-predationH.
The last [)iiragr.ii)h rofors to thd planting of trees singly or in rows. Mr. Boadle
goes on to say : —
"There are varieties of foreijfn maples that are very pretty planted along with our foreHt
maples— iuch, for instance, as the Norway maple."
Mr, Leslie says of these trees : —
" For public roads and purely shade trees the first tree I woidd mention would be the
hard maple. The sihver maple is a faster urowiiiK tree, but the soft nuiple proiier is of rather ^
slow growth. I would siiy the silver-leaved maple, the hard maple, and tne Norway maple
are most thrifty and desirable trees.
"The Norway maple is not lar>,'ely tised yet, but I think it will eventually be the leading
tree. I thinit our native basswood would i)e a very useful tree for xrovving at the sides ot
roads particularly in our bee-keepin({ sections ; it is rather a rapid grower."
Senator Allan says :^
"The maple, both of the hard and soft varieties, bears transplanting remarkably well,
and grows rapidly. "
Mr. David Smellio, of Vaughan, County of York, has gone somewhat extensively
into tree planting on iiis farm. Ho says : —
"I think it is a very good thini? to have trees planted extensively about a farm. I have
planted more trees on my farm during the past four years than any one else in my neighbour-
ho.xl, I suppose. I have planted them along the front of the pluce, up the lane towards the
hou/ie, and aroinid my orchards. I should like to have more of them planted. I have l)een
planting the silver maple, but if I were going to |)lant again I would plant the Norway maple,
which is a much nicer tree. It doesn't grow so fast, hut it grows a closer and prettier top,
and swells out faster in the trunk. It is a pretty rapid grower."
In Kent, the Commissioners noticed that the maple had been very extensively
planted on th j field sides and concession lines, a circumstance tliat was the more
remarkably from the fact that the original wood of the district had largely consisted
of the elm.
Mr. Cochrane, of Kilsyth, County of Grey, another farmer, says in his
evidence : —
"I think in the matter of tree planting we are in advance of the rest of the countj. The
planting by the roail-side and along lanes is becoming quite general. The neighbour who
lives adjoining my {dace has planted out, I dare say, 1,000 shade trees. The trees planted by
him were chiefly silver maple and rock maple. The first he planted was ten years ago, and
they were planted fourteen feet apart. They now meet."
Mr. Beadle says on this point : —
"For forest planting I would recommend mafde, taking of course into account the variety
of soil. The hard maple (loes not succeed in all soils, Iiut where it does succeed I ()refer it. It
flourishes in a dry soil. In wet soil I would use the soft maple. . . . Some little blocks of
forest have been planted with maple trees, with a view to their sugar-producing qualities, and
some of these have attained a diameter of six or eight inches and a height of thirty or forty
feet; They have been planted some years. I do not think they received any cultivation after
planting."
The elm is strongly recommended by Mr. Beadle. He says: —
"I know of nothing more beautiful as a shade or ornamental tree than a well-grown elm.
In New England, and especially in the towns and villages, these trees were planted very early
in the settlement of the country, and some of the streets are just arched over by these elms, and
walking under them you can imagine that you are in some arched Gothic cathedral, built
many years ago, with the columns only left standing. They certainly make a most beautiful
sight."
The elm, it will be recollected, is stated by Senator Allan to have matured ear-
liest of the several ti'ees included in his list of experinients. Mr. Leslie also men-
tions the elm as a tree very desirable for planting.
The cultivation of the black walnut is universally recommended, Mr. Leslie
says :—
!M:
102
ONTARIO AGHICULTURAL COMMISSION.
In th« nut tre^H, th« biftck walnut jfrow* very rapidly in \U yountror Htaf{en- alm.mt m
rap -lly an the Kn^ i«h »«h an.!, at Hftemi yearn, ti.e woo.l c.ul.l he u Jl f.,r rimny S "mr
mr icularly for cahmet-makiuK I thinic th« black walnut w.u.l.l have to he o m7ni Xefly
b'tl::^^.::!^:^^^^::::^}^ ' "-^^^ -"^ '^ --^ •>' ^'™". »•"* "- ...uth.we,t portion'
That the wiiimit •« »<)t a troo mjiiirii.K an oxcoptionally mild climato is proved
by tho oxponoi.c« of Mr. lioall, at LimUay, already quotod. Mr. Rov t-w at Owen
Sound, Hiiys ;— ^^ , v^..«i.
"Tliwro is an Mm, that black walnut will not jfrow m far north an Owen Sound. Ten
yearn a^j I planted black walnut needn and nt the prenent titne two or three of the tree, bear
nutn. They are not only ornamental, but oowdn^ t<. be very useful treen. The diameter of
two or three of thein now will be an much an nix inches. They were planted in a «tronK ,oiL"
If the Hoil is at all good, Mr. Arnold roooniniendB the {)lttntinK of tho black
waljuit on lands that may, for any other reason, be unavailablo for affrioultural
purposes. ^'
The buttornut, as already noticod, is recommended by Mr. Leslie for plantina
Senator Allan says of it: -" The butternut if transplanted young succeeds well "
It IS somewhat more hanlv thaii tho walnut, and, as previously nrentioned. is
often used as a substitute for that wood.
The hickory is rather a slow grower, but can be used profitably at so early a
Btago in Its existence that it is a profitable tree to plant pretty freely with the view
to tlie sale of thinnings as the trees mature and cron ' one another. Mr. Beadle
says : —
" I have not the Hlightest doubt that plantations of hickory will pay in the near future."
The ash can be easily transplanted, and, as a fast growing tree, for the wood of
which the demand 18 certain to incroase with time, is one thai should bo cultivated
Mr. Beadle says of it : —
"The ash will always be valuable, particularly the white ash."
Mr. Leslie recommends the English ash as preferable to some Canadian varieties
He says : —
"For tree planting on waste landH. or hillsides, with an economical view, I would recom-
mend the Englmh ash a^ a mo.t useful tree. I think it would come into the market earC
than any other tree that could be planted. It is largely used for handle-making, and abS
ten years' growth on ordinary sod would produce a tree that could be split infeffour pieces
fri"fr*.r„:!!ff!j2..ir^.?„e_^"J^^^^ EngUsh ash is not the s^ame as our cJmr,;
111 I, Vu r \ \.a "•"• ^-'o ^"Kiiou asu 18 noi tne same as our com
black ash ; there is as much difference as between the European larch and our tamarack
18 a more rapid grower than the black ash, and the wood is better in every way.
It
The Lombardy poplar, which is an exceedingly fast growing tree, may be
utilized for other purposes than shade, as will be seen by the following quotation
from Mr. Leslie s evidence : —
"Some people like the Lombardy poplar and some do not. It does not harbour inspcts
on the contrary it is a very clean tree, but in this climate it is apt to ,lie, and to bec.une
ragged at the top. In the lattet case however, f cut every few years it will grow more hand-
some with each cutting. It is being largely used for shelter purposes
"The Northern Railway hav-e ordered some thousands, and are putting them up alonR
the line instead of fence posts, and using barbed wire to form the fencing. The wounding of
the tree does not do it any harm. ""umg m
. "^,S,*^t prairies of the West, they are used, too, to a great extent without the barbe.l
wire. The trees are planted six feet apart, and when they have attained a sufficient height
the top IS cut off and nailed laterally from tree to tree as a barrier. By the time the too
thus placed, has decayed, a new one will have been formed on the tree
_ ' ' I think the height at which poplars for such purposes should be pjanted is immaterial • it
18 merely a matter of expense, as the tree has undoubtedly great vitality. They seem to grow
as well if planted when they are as large as your arm as they do when they are the size of
your little finger. In seven or eight years it becomes a tree of thirty feet at least
'Our balsam poplar is not yet a very handsome tree, but it makes a good shelter. In
localities where you do not want to cultivate anything, it can hardly be recommended for
ornamental purposes.
The basswood, growing rapidly, and being in demand for various economical
FORESTRY AND ARBORICULTURE.
106
the near future."
nadian varieties.
oils economical
irposes, is now aUo boinn cultivntod in connection with bee farming, itH flowoni
^.elditix au cr.^raordiniiry crop of lumoy of the Hnest (jmility.
'I ho tulip (or whitowood) tree, ih strongly CMiiiiondod by Mr. Readle to the
attention <.f ..il who may live within the area in which it can bo ■uccosBfullv culti-
vated. He says ; —
"We have alio the whltewood tree, which in uwd by carriage-n akeiH in making ».o,li«« „f
carrlaKen. The rnont ..f that tree khcwh i„ the N'iaKara Dintrict. Ther. are l.eautirul treen of
it in our diHtrnt, many of tlit-ni \mt\a nearly an large in diameter at the top where the liranrhe*
come out iw at the t)ottom ; Kouie of them niuMt be fidly forty feet hii'h. I think it Ih one of
our Hii.«t haiulHome ornamental treeH, and I have often wondered why planterH of oinamentnl
ph'-ntationH have paid ho little attention to it. It makon a very Hymnietrical tree on a lawn
atH about thm time of the year it comeB out in tulin bloHmuuH which have a pleanant fraKrance
Ihe leaveH are remarkably br ght and green, and free from insects. Though it iH .iitHeult to
trauBplant ttie tree, if you begin young you can accu»tom it to tranMplautatioii. The root lit verv
unlike niOHt of our forest tree roots, it is a very fleshy root, more like that of a vegetable. "
The tree is found in liirgo (juantities in Kent and Essex, and can probably be
prohtably grown m the whole of the southern half of the south-western peninsula
excej)t, perhaps, in a few very exposed situations. '
The beech and birch are graceful trees, and some of the varieties of botli such as
the cut-leaved birch and the purple-leaved beech and birch are extremely beautiful
For black birch there will bo a futi re market for cabinet purposes, while if onlv
for fuel, the beech is useful. *- . , j
The willow is a tree that very quickly supplies ' ' '\ need of shelter for cattle and
a protection, if chisely planted, aga-nt cold winds. In Iowa, the wiPow has been
used to a large extent in the construction of wind-breaks and shelter-belts on the
Krairies, and with great success. The willow has its economical purposes besides
Ir. Oalusha, ahaady quoted, says of the use of the willow :—
" I regard this as probably coinbinim? more desirable qualities for cultivation in (rroves
1 l"^i rif^'I'T'' • *•" ''1 f u"-"" ^""^'^ "^ r/' ^°"'^' ■■»?'*• Jf"^'"*?. 'lecLluous trees, ami
am leculedlv of the opinion that this and the golden variety are the beat deciduous trees with n
my knowledge for wind-breaks or screens, but wish to be distinctly understood as not reccm-
mending this tree as a hedge plant, or the planting of this or any other sort, to the nedecf of
other desirable varieties Strong cuttings of this tree seldom fail to strike root at once hi
mellow soi. and will make a growth of from two to six feet the first season. Ft thrives in al
kinds of soil, making as much wood in a given number of years as any other known sort n. k
even excepting the cottonwood, growing into a large tree sometimes four feet in diameter
The wood 18 of rather fine texture for a light wood, making a fair article of soft lumber which
bears a high polish. It is also valuable for making wooden-ware, bowls, trays, etc It also
splits freely, which is a desirable quality in making fence posts, rails, railroad ties," and fire?
"The g<.lden willow is similar in texture and growth to the white, but I think it does not
make so large a tree. I have measured half a dozen trees of this variety (golden) which were
planted on the roadside 1.-) years ago last spring, and find the average circumference of the
trunks at three and a half feet from the ground to be 5 feet 3 inches. A white willow
which has grown from a small cutting put in U years last spring, now measures 6 feet 2 inches'
near the Rround, forming a head on top 30 feet across. This variety, when planted in trroves
grows tall and almost perfectly straight. I have carefully computed the expense of raS ten
acres of trees of this variety and converting them into lumber, and find the entire cost not to
exceed $10 per 1,00( feet This estimate is based upon actual' measurement of he growth of
the trees. The land itself is valued at «40 per acre, with interest upon this amount, together
with expenses computed as before at (} per cent., compound interest. I take ten acres in fhM«
estimates of fjrowing artificial groves, because it is desirable to have trees enough together or
in close proximity, that the cost of putting up and removing a saw mill would be but a trifle
upon each thousand feet of lumber sawed." "'" "« out a tnne
Of the coniferous trees none is more beautiful, and none can be planted of a
more certain economical value, than the native white pine. Mr. Beadle savB nf
this tree ; — ^
.1, " ^.u®u'®^® *''** plantations of white pine will eventually pay when our timber retrions to
the north become used up or burnt up. llhe white pine grows rapidly." regions to
Mr. Dempsey says of it : —
" Pine makes rapid second growth in sections of the country where it flourishes."
I
104
ONTARIO AGRICULTUBAL COMMISSION.
Mr. Beall sajjs of this tree :—
" Y^ ^*lu''^ , ^"'P*^ °"'' "^'^'^^ J''"^' ^o"" ^^^^^ "» no more beautiful tree we can have if
taKen from the woods when very young."
Where, however, it is desired to plant in uncultivable ground, few, if any, trees
will be tound of greater value than the European larcli. Mr. Leslie, speakiiia of
this tree, says :— ' t &
_ " I do not approve of our Oanadii^n tamarack at all. The timber is poor, and if people
desire to go to (■'..« expense of panting f,.r timbar, I would recommend them to plant the
Jiuropean larcli, vyhich is a splendid tree, a rapid grower, and will grow in any part of this
country. It is not an evergreen, but it throws out a great number of small branches which
are a great protection. It is a very rapid growing tree, even more rapid than the Norway
in w?,1'r"''''"v"'"''*' *^;v" ^""^•' iT^ -,■? ,''" ,''^*''"*S.'^ ^^*^'">' y^'^'"' ""l-^ss the ground is very poor,
fivror tWH %"eet hT'ir ^ *''''" ^""^ "'' ^'"^ ^'^'^'''* ^^^ *''*'^ "'''^^ ^^ twenty-
After mentioning it as an ornamental tree for lawn planting, Mr. Leslie says
further : — °' ■'
„,ni,'I ^^'u f '"■°P«^'^ ^'^'■^h ^""I'l 'il^" 1^'e i"'itable for this purpose (handle-making). The latter
makes the best railway ties of any wood in the worl.l, as it is almost indestructible. It is a
very rapid grower, and in ten or twelve years' time the wood is of merchantable proportions,
and M.yful for many purposes. Of course it would not be lit for railway ties bV that time
but suitable for manufacturing purposes.
o^Sl^r Z'^'^lf' ^^ •,^'''=i'^«'Vy profitable to railway companies, as well as beneficial to the
country, it the waste lands connected with their il.rs were planted with European larch.
1 m tni.s source they coul.l in time obtain an almost inexhaustible supply of railway ties,
much superior to the kind now in general use. ^ '
. " Another use to which the European larch can be put is the production of ' ships' knees,'
as it can be trained when young to the desired bend. "
It was the European larch with which successive Dukes of Athol carried out
r^in nnn'^"^'^''' tree-plautu.g operations in Scotland, extending at last to an area
ot 10 000 acres, and inv(jlving the planting of no less than 14,000,000 trees.
Mr. Puoy, of Owen Sound, says of this tree ;—
"I have tried the European larch which is much more pendulous [than the pines]. I
have had no diffieulty in establishing it here. It is a most beautiful and ornamental tree. I
obtained it from Scotland."
T1-T larch is not an evergreen, but, when planted in groves or belts, several
trees deep, otters, from itsconformati<m, a very considerable resistance to the winds
I<or a perfect slielter belt for orchard or fields, Jiowever, nothinc' is more
strongly recommended than the Norway spruce. Mr. Leslie says of it ;~—
" We consider the X.irway spruce the mos; -aluable tree there is for planting in shelter
belts. IE 1.S extremely hardy very rapid in gi wth and easily transplanted." .ie adds, " I
prefer the Norway spruce wholly to deciduous trees and evergreens mixed, as in the latter
case, the one checks the growth of the other."
Mr. Beadle speaks of the Norway spruce as
" The cheapest and most easily procured of evergreens."
" Norway spruce," says Mr. Allan, of Goderich, " makes the finest close screen.
It woulci suit hiiely round an orchard or barn-yard."
IMr. Allan saj's of it : —
Ln-.Pns^lS*'n,v';T''-^' ^'i?''-*^*"^"''^''^ spruce fir is certainly one of the handsomest ever-
greens and inost desirab e in every way. It is very hardy, of quick growth, and adapts
Itself to all situations and what is a great recommendati.m, does not, like the balsam fir, and
some other of .mr native spruces, lose its lower branches and becom^ thin and scraggy below
as It increases in age.' ^"-'"feoj' "ciuw
The Norway spruce is, of course, an imported tree, and must be obtained
through the nurseries.
But there are many native varicaes of spruce, which, if not in every respect so
desirable, are, ne'i,r at hand, and can be made to do duty very efficiently. Mr.
, "By spruce I mean the kind that is called the Canadian or black spruce. It varies much
m colour. 1 bought a thousand plants of Canadian spruce a few years ago. I consi'der it
tree we can have if
, Mr. Leslie says
1 of ' ships' knees, '
est close screen.
St be obtained
FORESTRY AND ARBORICULTURE. 106
cXur!"" With th^cTn'JlirZ'nce'T/ U* S '^"^ *" ^'^-"^ '^ ^^^^^ --^ ^^ »>« ^ l^^"-
years ago, oF which I C^t the t„l fii 5 "^^^ 'P72^ *^°"*'''^ ^ '^^^^ *^ee8. planted twelve
high. I do not Sow how%hrrJl^^*''*»''' ^ndthey are now eighteen or twenty feet
mtchantable value It wm SL. 1^1?" '^T' ^o^Parea with the Norway spruce in
pine on hillsides o^ockyplafes.^ anywhere. I would plant it along with cedar or
Of the Canadian white and black spruce, Mr. Leslie says :—
sheltirbtus'^but it^fsnotTo'^ii^niTn"''' ^ "**'?u ''l*^'' *'°""*''y' ^ '""^t «-^°«»ent tree for
superior Wfave a WacKu^^^^ Norway, ..d for that reason the latter is
the bottom • thatis in rv,™w .' , il""*^ * ^^'^'"^ variety, as it is apt to become poor at
frpi!^!,.?'''*''^ P'"m' *x^^ Norway spruce, and the Austrian spruce are all beautiful
trees, and very easily transplanted. Mr. Leslie says of thein •-
Of the Arbor VUcb, Mr. Leslie says :—
+},v "^^ evergreen trees, the most useful for ornamental purposes is the ^r6or Vitw in if«
whlTr v' '' •' •" A^r'''*"' the Siberian, and the Tom TlmmbTakir^Ihe Province as 1
transplant -^''^'"'*" "'^^^ ^"'^ '''''^^^' ^*'" ^ *=^'^ ^^^^'^ recommend it, as it Ts difficultto
He adds further : — ""^ '
Mr. Beadle remarks : —
'^^^'^^V^i^'^ir^^Z'n.i^f^^^^^^ bea-ty of its own. The
will thrivi T^en there Ire some of^theRo?^^^^^ '' tender, except where the peach tree
promise of being valuable ;thersTemt„ be S-fectlI^hT±'" f "'%T^'f^' ^'^ ^''''^^ ^''"'^
pSef:Jith""'^t *!'?•"•' '* ^' a "uttta^u«?uf l\'r t w'e have' fteV^Ln^^t TZ
" A good hemlock hedere can hn c-ot >iv foirJti™ .-niTo' »--t-i--!-- f ti. v i. i
ing them two or three tim^ 'vu^ ^ J"''^'g "nmlui;k3 from the bush and leplant-
B « iiwoortnreetimes. . . . The younger you get the hemlocks the better."
After sucrgesting the Mountain Ash, Maiden Hair tree (Salidmria) the lindens
(European and native), the Cut-leaved Alder, and the fern-leaved Sumach as vcny
I
106
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
useful trees for ornamental purposes, and alluding to the Arbor Vitce as above
quoted, Mr. Beadle gives a list of other evergreens and shrubs that may be used
tor beautifying rural homes and gardens. He says :—
r.laJf'Jfi'^*''^ ""i* *^"!u ^y^^ American yew to any extent ; I have seen it growing after trans-
?„t^^o^ -M " ^^ *•" T^^.' '^^"•, .^^^ Mahonia aquifolia suffers from our -/inters if it is not
covered with snow. It is not killed, but the leaves are browned and the beauty of it
wllfZli " iri^*''®'rS?"'t.""t to hide them. When it is protected by snow it does
rnti^ fK ^^ t^ *''^^- . ^^^ Retimi^poras, or Japan cypress, I have not had much experi-
ence with, though some trees of that variety seem to promise well. There is a large list of
flowering shrubs valuable for our planters, some of them native. The Florida dog-wood
2r« r.rf!rwh i" fvf^",^y ^""^f- I* '^* ^^'-y P'-etty t'-ee while the bloom lasts, and it
nfnhlf i?f ,1 ' *¥ ^"u-T »"f ^a'-t IS very pretty. In the autumn the foliage turns
!fviff,f ^K fl "'^'' '" ^hich scarlet and purple predominate, and the berries are also very
pretty. The flowering thorns are beautiful trees, belonging to the hawthorn family. When
Hn w !f ff'^ '"'"^r'^ -1^!*^ bloom the air is filled with fragrance. As to their hardiness, they
do not suffer much with us, and if they suffer at all it is not from the cold but from the sun.
Liforf f>ffii t"*^ ^^^ T""^^ ''^^ ""^ *'^\*'"^^ ^"^^ "P> *»^l I -"upposed it was from the
^romd !n 1 fK. ; i,'^? "°* Pu"1^"? "? *^"™'' ''"* ^«* *h« branches grow close to the
fwo^rZi^ -T^ ^/Vl^ 't^'''^^'* ^^- *^^* x™^'^"«' ^^^ *"■«« g'-o^^ finely. Then there are
uUr. TJlli ^*"«ti«'*' '^f the Japan quince-I prefer the scarlet-flowered variety ; there is
Se ver*^ beautTfn?. fhtvlL"^'*^ ^/"'k T' «"'««*hing like the apple. Both of th/se varieties
ITaIZ 1^' ' ^^It^^'^^l ^^I^^' ^^^T *^^ ^^^""^^ «<''"« o"t' and are an interesting sight
~ f i^*'°"' After the flowers drop, the leaves come out; they are bright, glolsy
whfch k nrU'tvTn'r^ 'T, ^I'^T ''^^^"*^:. ^'V ^"^"•nn the trees are'laden with golden fruit^
which IS pretty to the sight, but very acid. I don't know that it is of any use. The slug
f Kreat vf^t^v of th- ""th"'' ^°"ther class of flowering shrubs are the ^ptra.^.,; there"!
IS ^ ul ™j The most prominent is the plum-leafed spiriea ; the flowers are
double, pure white, and in the autumn the foliage becomes purple" scarlet and crimson
S f L n '"''"'*.'"' °^ ^«T"»o"'"^^' «"°^ a« *« Camperdown elm. They are made by graf"
Zh ,^*T"'''r" on .f\ Scotch at standard height. There is also Young's weeptng
S«' y?",^^^t *° &''*f*.^t at standard height, and then it will grow horizontally^and down
beautiVnl &t "^'f^'^l *^' Weigelias, which are perfectly lardy with us, and are ve y
UmP <^ L Wn± « '^7^"*T^' which some of them possess is that they bloom the second
Sount'rv Z J^/ir t''t '" -^r^' A"1 *t'"/" ^"u»"«* "^ September. In some sections of the
country the Althcea makes a beautiful shrub. The Dcutzias I also esteem very highly ; some
of them are very low shrubs, and can be used in the smallest city grounds ; others are argTr
and grow to the height of twelve feet. The Beutzia a-enata is very pretty There are flso
rmW?,n*nfl^"'^'"°''^''.T'^ clematis which are very beautifulfand nfake fine plants or
c t down ^t^ilf ' "' verandahs. Some of the clematises die down in winter, but if they are
Thpv W K ^ crown thev will grow up again next spring and flower all summer long!
themcreer. overX Ifp/^fr** ^*"' ^^f^ding purposes by pegging them down and letdng
are^Pr^ n?pHv^ Xl ^''^ u '"'^ ^T' °.'' Ti'^^ varieties of the Lonicera tartarica, which
are very pretty ; they are very showy when in bloom, and are easily cultivated.
CULTIVATION OF FOEEST TREES.
The mode of cultivating forest trees is the next matter to claim attention. This
may be accomplished either by raising trees from the seed, or from cuttings, or bv
transplanting them from the nursery or the woods.
RAISING TREES FROM SEED.
If it be desired to raise trees from the seed, attention must be paid to the time
of gathering, management, and planting. The soft and silver-leaved mapies and
elm mature their fruit in June ; the sugar, Norway, sycamore, and some other
maples, ripen their seeds later in the season. Acorns, walnuts, chestnuts and other
nuts ripen in the fall. All seeds should be sown as soon as gathered, but the fall
seeds may if more desirable, be k€i)t in a box mixed with sand until the following
spring. Acorns and nuts being liable to be disturbed by squirrels are often nre-
served m this manner. They should be kept in a cool place, and where tliey will
not become too dry. The elm and maple if favourably situated will make very
good growth in their first season, when sown immediately after gatherin^^ Red
cedar berries should be bruised in March, and mixed with a quantity of wet wood
u — i,"'i~~i — '/" '-••-"•'"•''' -.11 navD CuL uiu rcsuioas gum, when the seeds
can be washed clean from the pulp and planted.
when Uit» ueeds
FORESTRY AND ARBORICULTURE. i^
SEED BEDS.
plied. The .3 should be laS off aSI; T f ^. '^^^'^ '°"^ ^"^ ^^^^^T s^nd ap-
occasionally watered, ke drills 2>udh-' ^^^' '"'''""'^ ^""^ '^ "'°'^'*'^^y
At the end of from one to two tarriccorZ^In"^'^ ^' *f "^'"^* °^ cultivation^
•nay be transferred to nurserTrows andTn a Pm,n^ circumstances, the young trees
their final position. ^ ' " * """"P^^ °^ y^^^s more planted out in
TRANSPLANTING :fR0M THE FORESTS
head :— •» « »■ "ir. Buoke, oi Ottawa, gives some useful hints on this
trees I know of._ I planted them in nursery rows about ^fv in l^ *'^ '■'^.^'''^* ^°* "^ y°"ng
have succeeded in raising a laree numbpr wffwfnf i " '"''^?^ ^P*^'* "» the row, and I
l.lanting. There are both ha,^ andsoft mSleLlZ'^Vfl I trrmmed the roots before
thmk birch could be propagated in the samrway " " *^^ '''^'''^'y "^^P^^ ^ush, and I
sam^wa?"afth/"nSpr: te:dlt f^eest^tt ^"' ^^/^^ ^'^ -^"n-- in the
kept in the nursery rows for a SLle of v2^^!f .f'^^ !'''"' ^^^ bush should be
to the spruces and'other coni^erouTteesf Mn Leslie T^/s'^L*^' '^"*- ^^*^ -g-^
it is'Z'p^a m\"t?i?of te^^^^^^ tor^^'X^^Z'T^'''"^ ^'^^--^^ -^- ^oung;
mend that they should always £e Ranted i^nursw-vrow^V'f ^^^«^P^^<i- I would recom-
in position, and if they have ugly taTroots these shn^iinTf ^f "« ^t'"^ Permanently placed
that the tops should hi cut, thire LL necessity for dol' T* °*^' . //""^ "ot recommend
of the tree. There is no necessity for olt^t^XZpfX^iZtl^^^^^^^
Mr. Arnold says on these points :—
l.e.t;,""S/.aroS'&^?S^a^^^^^^^^ '-«>' .r. Planted th.
are planted f would cultivate the soil the iamras for Cn . f P''«Pa'-ed. After they
rees at first with a view to thinning them ,m" As to ZoZ P"*^*""'" J ^°"'«1 P^^nt the
be supplied for five dollars per hundred The pl^tin^wonlH. P"'',^''''f ' j^e small trees could
dred that is, for nurserymen's trees, ab^ut one and a hllTfelJ hLh T* ^'1 1'^""*''^ P^'' h«»-
the planting of such small trees, but I would have/btm .1 *^i " ^ ^""^'^ "o* recommend
they wore two or three feet high. TheT would tLnn^uf'^'?P^''i^. prepared to plant when
when planted. Some varietief ^f iS, walnuts etc coSrl*""'"'^ ^^'^''^ =* hundred
farmel^s If they attended to the matter, buUXd it more "r^^^^^^^^ ^ ^^^ '""'^ ^^
my trees one or two years old from those who ,nnt! "^f'^e . Profitable for me to send and buy
of forest trees from seedlings sTbusTners bv Self ir''' ^i "^^''"^ them. The raising
from France and England^than to grow them as ihev hZHo^^^ \''f}' '™P°'-t ^'-^e
should be grown in a seed bed, before being Xn'ted onf- ^« W .*° ^^ ^^^'^^'^- Young trees
re-transplanted every two yea^s until thl^^ettitretTy ^^^^^^^ ^^^^ «h?uld be
^^^ OHrees of a larger growth than seedlings in their first or second year, Mr. Roy
youmi;*r;7aSt'b^ut my%teS^^^^^ Ji^^ ^\^ *- fo- or five feet high
the better. I usually transplant fru?t and other1reernhr;',f %\*'' transplant the treS
only reason I have for transplanting them then is that T tJ T-^^ strongest and almost
I thmk It IS a good thing to*^cultivfte around a tree I don c . V w! ^-"^ '^^ ^^^ "^""'^ then!
aruun.l a peach tree in a rich soil, because the tree lets too^n 1 "'' '^^ '■' ^^"^ *« cultivate
fr..st comes on and kills it before the vvood hardenf A« r ™"^*' ^""^ '" the fall, and the
^vou d succeed better for a few years if cultivatedTro^^^^ Tl' /r^'* ^FT-' ^ ^^'^^ they
uon't think cultivation would be required." abound. After they get fairly growing 1
Senator Allan, on the replanting of forest erown tr«n« ..rw.v^.. ._
carriecl^rioX^;^^^^^^^^^^ , ,„ ^
and the farmer must rely upon what he can obtain from the ireetwoods!''^"''^^' * '^'^'
108
ONTAhIO AQRICULTUBAL COMMISSION.
■ J
: !^
ftn« I'lT^®*^'^ careftilly transplanted and in the case of evergreens more especially, of not
mall^r^nta^e of kir '""^®'^~°"8''*^ *° succeed perfectly, or at least there should be a very
Idl be eLny%"ranriany ^"'' ^^'^ '''^'*^ '''''®' ^'''"^ *""* ^^'^"^ ^P""""®' ""'^ ^^^^^ ''®'^*'' "*"
.,•n.,l!7o'J.^'"®'•lu'■ ^orway pine, than which there is no handsomer tree when allowed to grow
S?n Lt ^»*'{,Pl«nty "f room for the spread of its branches, is very difficult to move, and
"m,8®f'^''7'y ^"<=<=eed, unless taken up with great care when very young.
««f „1!*® 1 Pu™''®^"•"^•l*^^ noblest and most picturesque of our native evergreens.
iir vf-7 7 growth, and IS difficult to transplant, except when very young, but both it and
the white cedar make most excellent hedges. j' / u b, uuo uu^i
«„c.n',',^L°"'' '^uP''^"^u *''«e8' the elm, ash, beech, oak, and maple, are the most generally and
^M**'"n''''-^^^^ maple both of the hard an<l soft varieties) bears transplanting re-
markable well, and grows rapidly The different varieties of elm can also be easflv moved-
«iA, r„f f A ^H'^^^' ^"-^ white and red, as well as other varieties, is difficult to move
with^satety, and is of less rapid growth than either the maple or elm.
«i,o=f ^^« '"'"ernut, if transplanted when young, succeeds well. The walnut and sweet
Chestnut I have no experience of, except as transplanted nursery trees. Take, however, all
?n Ifif^"^ I have named, both evergreen and deci.luous, and they can generally he obtained
m most parts of Ontario, without having to go any great distance to find them. "
As the tree to be moved increases in size, the more care is needed in its treat-
ment. It 13 a good plan to select trees growing as near the edge of the woods as
possible ; their situation having been less sheltered, the exposure to which removal
subjects them is less felt. As to the preparation and removal of forest trees Mr.
Arnold says : —
" We prune the roots with a spade. In the case of trees which have not been trans-
planted, and trees, say four, five or six feet high, which have not been moved lately, we send
out a man m the spring to cut off the roots about a foot from the stem. In the fall, in digging
them up you find abundance of fibres and unless this is done it is dangerous to remove them
at that age. If people transplanting from the forest would go about this time (June) and cut
off the roots a few inches from the stalk, and go next year and dig them up they would find no
difficulty _ In moving trees it is better to cut off the tap roots. Tor instance in growing
peaches it is the practice of many to put peach seeds in sand in the greenhouse until thev aer
minate. There is a long tap root which we pinch off, and when we take it up afterwards we
find a mass of fibres. In fact the tap root is not essential to the future growth of the tree
As to the branches, I would not touch them until I came to transplant. When we (Ma them
up we have to cut off a person of the roots, and it is necessary to take off about the same pro-
portion of the branches. The root vessels cannot draw sap enough to supply all the leaves
unless this IS done. The reason I would give for pruning with a spade is, first, that it prevents
injury to the root whi e the tree is being finally moved ; second, it produces large growth of
email fibrous roots withm a limited space, and this adds to the nourishment of the tree."
The distances apart at which trees are planted, when set in rows for ornament,
or shelter for cattle in fields, will have to be decided by the nature of the tme and
will run from ten to thirty feet, according to circumstances. For forest planting
the trees being in that case small, they may be planted from three and a half to
four feet apart in each direction. This will admit of cultivation by horse power
As the trees grow they will be thinned out, any casualities. on the other hand, beiii^
supplied by new plantings. ' "
In Dr. Hough's report the following table is given, showing the number of trees
upon an acre at a given distance apart, and the number that might be left at different
ages, with the proportional value of the thinnings taken at the several a^es :—
AGE.
10 years
15 "
20 '•
27 ••
85 "
43 "
Distance
apart.
ft. in.
3 9
4
4 3
4 7
5 6
6 6
8
Trees to
the acre.
3,097
2,792
2,411
2,077
1,440
1,031
680
Proportional
value of each
trimioiiig to total
trimming.
per cent.
3.4
6.2
6.5
10.5
23.6
23.7
27.5
N.
ire especially, of not
;here should be a very
and white cedar, can
tfhen allowed to grow
lifficult to move, and
ling.
ur native evergreens,
)ung, but both it and
B most generally and
*rs transplanting re-
10 be easily moved —
i, is difficult to move
e walnut and sweet
Take, however, all
eneraliy he obtained
them."
leeded in its treat-
;e of the woods as
to which removal
f forest trees Mr.
ave not been trans-
3ved lately, we send
n the fall, in digging
:ous to remove them
time (June) and cut
p they would find no
instance in growing
louse until they ger-
it up afterwards we
growth of the tree.
When we dig them
about the same pro-
iipply all the leaves
irst, that it prevents
uces large growth of
It of the tree. "
)ws for ornament,
e of the trne, and
r forest planting,
tree and a half to
by horse power,
other hand, being
e number of trees
be left at different
'eral ages : —
Proportional
value of each
fcrimiuiiig to total
trimming.
per cent.
3.4
5.2
C.5
10.5
23.6
23.7
27.5
FORESTRY AND ARBORICULTURE.
In regard to the growth of woodland a high European authority remarks :-
lOS
and ta'^t"W"X"iraTmS?o?hrnS^^^^^ Sn.^"/^"- '' IT .r'-'' -'^ -'-«ng -Merest
same land, mana^^d ....^X"^^:^ J^.'^^'oXiSe^ 1^1 Strtln^bSi:
'ftant.
CONSTRUCTION OF SHELTER BELTS.
ioI::LTS"~ '''''''' ""'''' "'^'•^ «^«^^"'--- -« "-<!' Mr. Leslie gives the
theiriTfnteTest!;'! tCnLrw^ulcrcoriei''cVbv'.r'.?"'^* ^^'^^*•„ " ^f™«- -"-l*«'i
18 inches high. These trees grorSyr^nilvsav^ 1 n*'"^ *'"* '"if '^'i''^' '^^ ^'•«'" ^'^ ^
the first five years, gradually iZeSAfplrffl^^' ^ ^" average, three feet every year for
good shelter. 8''aauauy lessening thereafter, and in a short time tlie farmer obtains m
closerlLftx%"e'lt''aDLf.''.A'll*'/?^f^" "^v" ^eep, the trees would not require to be placed
rather earth up a little than plant too deep ^ ' *^' *'"'' '"^''""' ^^P'^' '° ^'^^' ^ ^""^^
apai'wTf^Se'btt^'n^^^^ *- '\-p, placed sav ten feet
spaces of the rows A shelfer Hbi! -^YL- Jif- *' *"'' ^^ *'"®^^ P^'"'^'^ »" as to break the
Im wouia re,X l^S, »a"Sh ^^T^.Tiit ^^J'S^l&'S.i ^.XrT' """
Mr. Leslie adds : —
PLANTING OUT EVERGREENS.
says^-^ regard to the planting and removal of nursery evergreens, Mr. Beadle
the 'i^jSlS^^r^Sl^: llZ^l^i whS"^ *'^" deciduous trees, iust because
not. But by taking evergreens iust [n thf 1,-^ • /?u ''''" -P^^",* ^^^ °*^«'« ^^en it is
growth, if the season ir,?otexceiSnallvrlrv?hT" °^ *^? spring, before they start into
transplanting theTsucce^sfullv ifrSLnln'nf f if '""'^ f«>ly transplanted. The secret of
them'stand for two yea s take hem t HS et ilem^'frb*'''^ '''t ^"^'^^ T""^' ^^^^^ 1«»
more and then tran.srdant them a.'aTn Tf ..vprL ^^'^ ^^''^^' ^''7^ *h«™ t^^o ye*"
they came into the hinds of the purchaser the v won IH ^ly transplanted four times before
men would sooner pay a few centrauieoe for ^Ll V ■ i*^'^'-^ 'T*'* "^''^^^ ^ ^«**h. But most
pav a higher price for treeTwh ch have be.n fZ ^^1^°^ have been transplanted once than
.vet been ed-itod into fkTo^S ^^^Z^^^X^^^^^ ,X^' '^^"^ "«'
Mr. Lrfsi 3 makes a very similar suggestion. He says :—
,.,,,' '?J,y:_*.'^^'<^,V^"»^'^ ^'^' M"l«««,the ground is in extraordinarilv <,ood corditinn to t,V. tl>«
permanent position. They would re.uiret"^ ^^^Z:! ^^I:!";^^^^^^^^ ^^^
110
ONTARIO AORICULTUBAL COMMISSION.
would then be a good size to transplant. After that their ordinary growth is two to three
feet per year in good soil, and fully two feet in any soil, so that in six or seven years the
farmer would have a good shelter."
PLANTING WASTE LAND8.
For planting on waste lands, either inaccessible to cultivation or of a soil too
poor to repay cultivation, the European larch has already been mentioned. Mr.
lieslie, referring to tJiis tree, says :—
p^^jI'^* »9 suited to our climate, being perfectly hardy, and very easy to transplant in the
Xnf^"i ""^-TTl ^''^^y transplanting, though later in the season it will thrive if trans-
as the frost is out of the ground, or as late in the fall as possible before the permanent freezing
ot ttie ground. It can be imported at about the same price as the Norway spruce
li,oh^« nr f w. ^rV^.r""^"'^ V.'f "*".>» ^^^^ after they attain a height of more than eighteen
«ri™T!;°»i?."!;i'l' I'""!''"* C!°- WMkeegon, in the Statei, grow them by llio million. The
r^dU" »^ff =Sel; ir;o*rt'e5'h.'™. """ ""■" ■» "■° ''""'"• "■' » "*" ■^ '•>-
For belts, Mr. Leslie would plant European larches three or four deep.
»..„r^'*i^®'i*r'"* ^.^ ^*y^' "*he tree has been used more for shelter than anything else. I
tWrtyfeeUn height. '""''"'' ''" ^ nianagement. In our own place we have stme trees
COST OF TREE PLANTING.
With regard to the cost of trees purchased from the nurserymen Mr Beadle
says : — ''
«f t-i'^^ *" ^^^ *^"** pe- acre of such forest planting, young black walnut trees can be bought
of the nurserymen who have been growing them, at about $12.50 or .$15 per hundred for trees
about four feet high. Chestnuts could be bought at about the same %ure I know of no
plantations where the hard maple could be bought at any figure. Nurserymen have confined
themselves mostly to the horse chestnut and mountain ash for tree planting. "
Mr. Leslie says : —
Thnl^^t A™k"°*" ^^™i T^^ Scottish elm, and the English ash are also very desirable.
Those that I have named I regard as the very choicest. In large numbers I ima-ine these
trees could be got for about twenty-five cents apiece, when about eight feet in hdght whkh
I regard as the proper size for planting. They would be trees raised in this countrf, but they
would have to be nursery grown, or transplanted from the woods."
Of the cost of Norway spruce Mr. Beadle says : —
i.„,JLf**^^ grown by nurserymen both in Europe and America by millions. They can be
boulhJ foTsliuTess?'- ''* ^''^ ^"" ^^' *° ^^' ^ ^""'^^''^' '^"'^ " *"^^" y"""^^^ ^^» ^'
Mr. Leslie, on the same point, says : —
"We sell these imported trees at from $30 to $40 a thousand- three or fnnr cents apiece
-that IS to say the 15-inch ones The 18-inch ones would be transplanted two years in this
country, and cannot be sold for less than $60 a thousand. If large ntimbers were taken they
could be sold at a much cheaper rate, say 25 per cent. off. If we could depend upon getting
them every year m the same condition, they could be sold cheaper still, but we have to take
all SkVQTSk^Qt
The difference in age and size is, of course, an important factor in calculating
the cost. Dr. James Brown in his evidence says, with regard to the cost of im-
ported trees : —
• "-^ have been just now at Le.slie's nurseries, and find there that such plants as the Sc.teh
pme and other sorts of pme would cost about fi /e cents each. To plant an acre at that ratP
would cost ^50 for plants alone, independent o' planting them. This rate is reckoned when
planting the trees six feet apart I think I v.-ould advise planting them as close as that I
don t think there is any reason why the pri-? could not be greatly reduced by having extensive
nurseries, m fact there IS no doubt about it. « k cAueiisive
"Mr. Leslie said that if he had extensive orders for them he cnulr' affnrd to sell th.-u.
cheaper, but at present he has no encouragement to do so. In the matter of reclothing the
men Mr, Beadle
FORESTRY AND ARBORICULTURE. m
. country with forest trees, the first thing essential is to establish large nurseries for thp nur
*i, " T«" c**" *^^j ^^^ **'"® P^*"*" '" Scotland for a third of that. The difference between
E;rp^re^t:d?ere";tlethey S~„g'»' "'^"" °" P^''*^""""' "^"^ ^^^^^ ^^^^ -'*--
In referenco to the question of cost, Mr. Leslie in his own evidence repeated
the remark he had made to Dr. James Brown. There can be no doubt that trees
W Jr fi! """"^^^^ ^f ^"^"^n at '^ very small cost indeed, but, so far, in Canada,
between the very limited amount of planting that has been going on and the
accessibility of woodlands affording a cheap supply of trees of some^sort or condf
tion the nursery demand has been comparatively insignificant, and no sufficient
encouragement has been given to induce nurserymen to raise forest trees in great
numbers. As to the actual cost of planting a given area Mr. Leslie says :-
*v. '"^^u *''®r would coat about 5 cents each, say 6 cents with the planting. In other words
'^^nl^iTZ^;^:i^l^^''' ^^"^'^ '^ ^-'^^'^' ^* ^ -«* <^^ ver/a JvertLTcS:
In his evidence on general farming and other subjects, Professor Brown of
huelph, gave the folhjwing as his estimate of the cost of planting out forest trees,
and his opinion as to the mode of planting. He said : —
" Upon the subject of forestry, I will show you what it costs per acre to put down voung
trees taken from your own or a neighbour's bush, a method of replanting which cCbl
adopted at the least possible expense, and I think with the greatest possible success
,v,;»foi;rf' *'-"i^ •''^^' for replanting, it is best to keep on the small side. It is a great
mistake to go into six or eight feet trees if you want rapid success. Two or three feet trees
Will ultimately do much better. I think it is an important point gained if we can show the
Canadian farmer how he can be his own nurseryman and do llis ow^ replanting.
him r,nHn-nl W Vlf""""^' ''^ r",1" J-'"""'^ I" ^""''K ^^^^^-^'^ neighbourhood which need cost
him nothing but the expense of collecting them. If he has to pay ten cents to a nurseryman
for every tree he plants, he will do very little in that way. uuiseryman
I have been in the habit of planting one and a half million of trees a year and thev did
n^H?pff f"w>,*^^" ^""^ shillings and sixpence a thousand, and if our Government or prlvSe
a^tt^\h:n^tht"dEs a thoSd"* °' ^"^' *""' ' *''"'' ^'^^^''"^^ ''' P'^^^^^^ '" ^"^t--
I ha;e^ord£?oltTo\Trs'Sws'pTr S :- ^"* "^"'^ ''^ '^'^'' ^"^ ^' ^"^^P'^' -"^
Clearing and preparing the ground $9 44
Digging pits s M
Fencing ? °5
Planting ! • !' ! !" ! ! ! l! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ' ' ! AH
Pruning ^i ^"
Mulching ::.::;;:: 22?
Taking trees from the forest 18 50
Heeling v^'^'^y^'^'■v^y.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'. o so
Total cost $56 57
"If the farmer does not estimate the value of his own labour, and of the labour of his
horses, you may reduce that about one-half.
"1 do not believe in manuring forest trees— I have never seen any good effect from it
am expressing not only my own experience, but the experience of others dating fifty
. , " We have had evidence of great weight that trees should not be planted less than six or
eight feet apart, and that gives about 900 trees to the acre. We planted that number this
season, and there are now 715 alive and doing well, showing an actual death-rate of one fifth
Ihe tleaths, however, occurred principally among the pine and spruce ; apart from these, the
deaths were comparatively few. r- , i , o
"In planting strips of wood for the protection of crops, I cannot recommend anything
but standard trees. j a
ORNAMENTAL PLANTING.
For ornamental planting, taste and good judgment must be the planters guides,
as well as the means he has at his command. Enough has been said to show that,
112
ONTARIO AORICULTURAL COMMISSION.
I) :
in our n«tive wood, we have enough to add a charm of beauty to every rural home
w° rk'°„f'ram.SLf """' '"' "«''*' "'=™"™ ^ ">"»» »"» '"«««« '" "^i
EFFECTS OF FORESTS ON MOISTURE.
^iJJZf-''^^ ""^ ^T^*' °° '■'*'" *"*^ ^"""^ ^''" »" * «"^J«°t th"^* has attracted much
rr„o?,V«n„"n''T^^?'■''P®*" countries, and is admitted to be one that is being
Eh «v!/ '""f '•'^*«d m our own experience, although, up to the present time, no
lo^lLT expenments or mquiries have been adoptftd as to identify, with
Bcientihc accuracy, the relations of the clearing of the land to diminished moisture.
btiJl, everybody mentally attributes the latter result to the f,.rmer cause. Some-
thing more may be Haid in regard to this matter when the evidence on meteorology
ij ™;"!? *f ^«"'="'^"'-t '' T'^%' ^«^i«^- Meantime, the following extracts from
the report of Dr. Hough, already referred to, will describe, in a few words, the
part played by forest trees m relation to this branch of nature's economy :—
INFLUENCE OF WOODLANDS UPON STREAMS.
aw J \Vtff^t^*f °^ common remark that our streams diminish as the woodlands are cleared
l^A^'nl • "**«"*"y "'J"'^ ^^^, manufacturing interests depending upon hydraulic power,
urtJ^eidr;iKis;^^^^
and cif inroff'frnm ^>!'l«^!;'"^ ^^^ season when in foliage, is constantly drawing from the earth,
fs vefv S tT^« litfr'' f °"7'derable amount of moisture, and in some cases this amount
and tKr L Jhl % '^^ "l •***^ from a fluid to a gaseous condition, is a cooling process,
meais so hn^tl Jlf„? « ^'^^"'"^ 'f'T^ ^'■°'".*^" """ ^"^^••«"> ^^e winds, becomes,V this
S^Lm ,1 ^fu * """l^' «HCC".lent vegetation often springs up and thrives, which in an
cooled ioP^"ni rif '' "f ^''''^ '?-'^" ^Z""'- :^^^ *•'■ b«'»K *^us charged with moisture and
Siv alZv^ fL i^ f"'']"^ eva,x.ration the rains which fall, and the soil, being more open,
whencHf.?rf;in .r*^'^-"™'^^^*'"'^'!,"."^ «"'^ ^'""^ ^^^^^'^ *« «ink into the*" earth, f?om
Whence a portion appears in springs and in swamps, which give rise to rills and streams.
doin^ «n I L^iti J™®^u" *' """"^ I"" ^^^? "^^.^^T ^*P0"'' '" suspension, and its capacity for
ra3v .« f ^aT^f^ ^ ^^^ temperature is raisedf, not by a steadily gaining rate, 'but more
mSp i-f ^Ta '".f «f «<*•, There can be no evaporation when the air is saturated with
"f saturation Tf l'n"V* °l T?*"' •" "^^ ^*''''? ""*i^ ^^^ temperature is reduced to the point
a ./rove ^Lv ^vfpV^ Tf^^* determined as to how far the cooling and moistening influence of
oUhrSmiA 5- ""'i?* ^^^/l^ upon many circumstances, and especially upon the slope
f reshLTof f ht 1. Ji ' **' •^°*'r "^ ^h rj"^'- *^« *ff^°* '« «f*«" apparent to the eye from t&e
treshness of the herbage in adjacent fields for many rods in width."
WOODLANDS AND THE SNOW-FALL.
^ " The eflFect of woodlands in retaining snows where they fall, and in delaying their melt-
ing in the spring, has been everywhere observed in snowy countries. In such localities the
snow cannot be drifted by the winds and when it melts it disappears slowly, sinking into the
soil rather than flowing oflF upon th^ surface. The effect of this delay in checking a too early
appearance of fruit-blossoms cannot be mistaken. The result is in fact quite similar to that
of considerable areas of water, such as our northern lakes, along the borders of which and
especially on the lee-side, fruits are found to flourish with the greatest success. In a country
interspersed with clumps and belts of woodlands, the snows drift less and their melting more
evenly over the surface cannot fail to be beneficial to the interests of agriculture, and more
especially to meadows and pastures." ....
THE TREE PEDLAR.
_ There is one more point to which it may be well to call the attention of the
intending tree cultivator, and that is the necessity of great care in the purchase of
trees. The tree-pedlar, while he has doubtless done much to stimulate both fruit
tree and forest tree growing, has an almost proverbially evil reputation He has
It 18 asserted, not only deceived his customers, but too frequently cheated his em-
ployers by taking orders in their name and executing them with inferior trees pur-
chased elsewhere. Mr. Arnold remarked to the Commissioners :—
.u ^ t" ""I ^""^J"! *'■•"•?•'"'•« *o «^" my trees. I have been very unfortunate with them,
as they have been dishonest to me and the public too."
nate with thera,
FORESTRY AND ARBORICULTURE. m
who had to tell ui a highly recommouded choice apple tree turnini? out a very excel
lent balsam poplar or of an attempt, frustrated by the a. ion of ihe witnLs^to pasB
dtsignation It is idle to suppose that where there are rogues there will not be
dup.s or victims, bu it may as well be understood, ,mce (or all, that 00^ bv satiV
«flS.f'r^ ^W^'' ^'^r " -^^'"^"y *" be executed by sorne nurseryman o
1 rSi ion bo'^^^^^^^^^^^ 't:^'"" '^''' T ^'^PP'^y ^ l^'-g^ "»'"ber. can thJ isk o
imposition bo avoided. The mere presentation of a card or trade list bearing a well
e^^XJe'^ToSc'L^f ?rp' ^-'.^^*hecard or list be genuine, the oX'ma^to
elsewhere. It occurs to the Commissioners to suggest that every nurseryman should
provide his travellers with forms of orders and envelopes wiS^H#ad7re3?l)rin"ed
nresTpo'sf X^Thi *° the c,3tomer added to ma'il the order SisK^^h^
nearest post ottice. This would ensure the execution of the order by the ritrht man
CONCLnDINQ REMARKS ON FORESTRY.
h.2^u ^"'"'"j^^'O"?". during the progress of their investigations under this head
tude of ?Kbrt W^ '^l^ r^*^ ^^^ importance than with the marnt
S tLir vari Aft«l" '*' ^''^- *^ ^.h«'«.*™« devoted by them to the discharge
many asnec ;^i?t,.hf r ""'u^'^^ m inquiring into the question of forestry in its
many aspects, It might have been well spent. They feel that the evidence thev
ThfaTrlnll^'T^'^M^^^^^^
of tJee nkntin^n "f h \f -^i^^^f f "8. *« f^f^^try in Europe, as well as the pro^-ess
ot tree planting xn the United States, in which direction an active movement has
been going on for some years- would have been matters well worthy of doTeobaer!
s^tuTdbTobtaine^J b'"'"r ''Tf'"''' recommend that inforSion thereuron
SrvitierittreffectJar"^ "^''°'^ " "^y ^^^^'^ '^ *^« Government to be m'ost
P^saibly such information might assist in the solution of the question frequently
raised in the course of this inquiry. By what means can tree planC by indSaU
or corporations be most successfully promoted ? ^ ^ mmviauals
Government assistance in the shape of money grants, exemptions of planted lands
from municipal taxation, and the establishment by the Government of Lri forest
tree nurseries have all in turn been suggested government ot large forest
The Commissioners would be reluctant to advise the expenditure of any consider-
able sum of public money without having before them sLe scheme SdeS of
which had been carefully examined and worked out. '
The subject is a new one to the minds of most of our people, and it is rather by
wi h r'Sto if^W Ih""* "i^^ question, and a sense^of 'pe^onal responsibUitJ
with regard to it, that the ground work of any future plans must be laid.
A.»^f. ''^/i^^''"","'''™''''' '''''' Slad to be informed that the Fruit Growers'
operatTorrnd fh r^^^ ^P included forestry and aboriculture in its programnTe of
operations and that the Government have given some encouragement to this sten
while a the same time experimental tree planting has, under Se auspices of the
Association, been commenced at the Model Farm at Guelph. A few 3nshiD8 and
cltron"S'Vtr •'^l- °ffr'/"'"f "^"*^ ^°*^« Plantinlorsjrtr^nd
ma3i!u !^^ facilities that exist in all parts of Ontario, for obtaining a supply of
^iVpn ii°'^ ^/^"'*' "fg^."'^^tion« in townships or school sections for plaSK
svrMrt^eTffic^it'" ^ ^^^^'^ p"^"' ""^ ''''''' ^"^ ^' *^^ -^"-' p«-bi:
bare and' uli^nvrHn/'"^"'"^ *^'''* t'^'^?'^"^" ^"*^' "°^ "^"''^"y presenting a most
Dare ana uninviting appearance, should be Tilanted with forest treos inrf i small
premium or reward be given to those schoofs. in a district wLetreerLrS^^^^
most successfully cultivated and best preserved for a given period
114
ONTARIO AORICULTURAL COMMISSION.
It has further been suggested that interest might be excited, and information
unpartod, by lectures delivered by ci.mpetent persons on forestry in connection, per-
tiaps, with entoniolo^ and ornithology, so far as those toi)ic8 atlect the farmer and
iruit grower.
Such lectures mii^ht be delivered in school-houses, under arrangements made by
tno county inspectors, the senior classes in the school, and the public generally,
being invited to attend. f » jt
In treating of these subjects, however, pictorial illustrations would be indispen-
Bible, and a knowledge of the colours of leaves, insects, and birds would also have
to be imparted In order to accomplish this, and as the lectures would have to be
delivered in the evening, the "magic lantern" might be brought into play, the
^^\l,y « "'^ exhibitions assisting to ensure to the lecturer an audience.
1 ho hrst cost of preparing transparencies would be considerable, but the other
expenses of such a scheme need not be large, while the preparation for the work,
ot young men of ordinary ability and culture, would not be a difficult task, in view
of the materials already at hand.
The objection raised to any proposal to add such studies to the already rather
overcharged public school curriculum would be avoided, while parents, tea«Jiers, and
children would, at one and the same time, be interested and instructed.
, ..f J^'ommissioners, in conclusion, may not travel beyond the bounds of their
duty If they respectfully urge upon the f]xecutive the propriety of steps being taken
with regard to tha preservation of the timber lands of the Province still in posses-
sion of the Crown, and not subject to the regulations affecting the pine timber
Only by some action of this kind can waste and destruction be staid, and the stern
necessity— which m other countries at this moment has to be faced— be avoided, of
replacing, by slow methods and at enormous cost, what has been recklessly and
unreflectingly destroyed.
CHAPTER V.
INSECTS, INJUEIOUS AND BENEFICIAL.
The ravages of injurious insects upon field and fruit crops, and the part played
by birds in relation to both crops and insects, were very frequently referred to by
witnesses representing either the farming or fruit growing interests. But, while
much was said respecting the injury inflicted by insects, and a good deal both for
and against the assumed usefulness of birds as insect destroyers, as well as much
respecting the loss sustained by the attacks of the latter on the orchard and fruit
garden, it was clear that, in many cases, the ideas of the speakers were exceedingly
vague on all or any of these points, and that opinions had frequently been forined
ui)on very inconclusive evidence.
Entomology and ornithology have, it is evident, made little progress as vet as
popular studies ui Canada, although it is gratifying to know that the Province pos-
sesses men who have applied their minds and intellects, with considerable success
to both subjects. '
The evidence specially taken in connection therewith, and some extracts from
testimony incidentally received from time to time, will be found in Appendix E
of the reports of the evidence given before the Ontario Agricultural Commission
Its mam features will now be presented in as concise a form as possible, thfi insects
injurious to gram crops and their parasitical enemies being first noticed.
INSECTS, INJURIOUS AND BENEFICIAL. lift
The inBecta roferml to in the evidence hb injurious to the whe>t crop are —
The nudge, the HeBsmn fly, the chinch bug, the gr.iin aphis, the angounmS nuiih
the anny worm, th. wire worm, the Bpri,:«-l.ack beetle, and'the dSy , g.'leg * '
The insects mentionod as nijurious to the p(,tato are :-Tlie Colorado beetle the
lie insects stated to bo injurious to green crops are :— Tlie locust the red-
legi,'ed grasshopper, the seventeen-year l(.cust, and L thirteen-year locust
The insects named as injurious to the hop plant are :~Tho Imp aphis, the hop-
vine snout mn% two butterflies-known respectively as Qrapta inteiSti -nis ami
Grapta comma, a butterfly known as Thecla hunfuli, a n oth known aipiusia
balluca, and the lo Emperor moth. •v.iuwu u» x-iusia
Tl!! llll^ 'r"""* ^f^^'^jly ."mentioned as injurious to the pea is the pea weevil,
flia liBt of insects mjurious to the cabbage includes :-The cabWo butterfly
caterpillar, the cabbage plusia, the harle.iuin cabbage bug, and the cut-worm.
IN.SECTS INJURIOUS TO GRAIN ANI. GRASS CROPS.
J s" Betliune' fir^t^nir'lfi'"^"''*"*^""' "^'^r'^'^'S to the evidence of the Rev. 0.
J. b. "ethune, hrst made its appearance m Vermont in 1820, ratndly spread itself
over the Eastern and Central States, occasioned In the St^teTf New York in
1854, a loss to the agriculturists of not less than »9,000,000 by its ravaged anneared
in Canada in 186G, in which vear th« ininrv if ,iij + ti "^ "'"' '"^"s^^) ''■PP**»r«<i
rouL'hlv at 912 ROO nno ..,,1 • fi, ^^^ . "'" *" *''® '^^^P^ ^^8 estimated
a^Lnu t' , 'r 5 '^"^^' ^" *^® y^^^ following, destroyed as was calculated
8,000,000 bushels of wheat in the Province of Ontario alone. For ten or twelv^
years its unwelcome presence was more or less felt, but, since 1809 i? has ceased
to do any appreciable mischief, although in one <.r 'two nstarerfarmeJs exam
Srleat c'oTs"'"""'^" ''^^^ '^'^''^' '^ ^* - -« -- ^^ r^c^riSuri^o
it renemble. the Heiuian fly in many resXt. Th? i'ii' A- } } "PP™'"""
c„lou™„f. h, body the „i4,bIKT,;j.h?H.^^^^^^ " '" *°
Mr. Bethune thus describes its habits :-
I have chiefly noticed the pSf iniS"'^* ^^'"' °" °" " ^'"^ "=■ " '" '» ">"' «»?
in lii» late examination before the C„„,nn»i„ners He iid '"'""'"'
"When - -
which
try. bv theVirn; my wh;;?wa'rread;rintroducT™t^ '^' l«"°-
though I believe it has reappeared siLe in some loc'aitL™ *^ ^^ disappeared everywhere,
Other proposed remedies are thus referred to by Mr Bethune •—
c,aSysra,fryi;:e^nhX»n^ra,nhr.Xi:rot^ff
It
u
116
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
f^ T.^ rr ^^ '^'■*i*" *""* !'*•"? •t*««'«'l. »"'« wher« th« InnectM w..ul.l naturally b« nhaken
Su«he wUl/trV.L:?"^*'''.''^'' '"'? ''"' '"f""^*"* *»"'** «el,lB Hh..ul' be Very rleepi;
[niurv FW 1 « l"-«'lm.!lty their appearance would he t..<. late to be folh.we.l by any k eat
p«S ^ »'"*'• *""""■"' '""th*"'" they would, in fact, he ntarved out. . BMideH thZ,
T" ly r*' J::ir.Thi":"n • r't* .**"*?."!;'•!? wheat nhould be Hown a. late. andtlTwh U
w Jd.ul'!'n"^""l "^ ^'- ""*^'""'' ^''*' "^'*'^ '^•'""^ "^ *h« disappearance of the pest
I?.,rv T '*"";*•'"' ';r^""5 upon the nudge, but »„ minute as to have escaped dis-
T.^" .. I '"'" ^""Jl'^'.y "'""''*« *'*'' "*hers will be noticed later on.
belief from l'l.?il^ ^""*' *7«-.^^ '" "r ""PP"""'! t«^ l>« a" indigenous insect, the
ttl^lltl] \ ''"'T'''^ '^? '"'f'"''''' '""""' ^'"'t 't *•« introduced into the
how«;«/ ««««'»» troops during the revolutionary war, being now dispelled. ) Us,
OZL in IKW • ''l' ■'* r" i"* •"''*''^*^*^ '" *'^" «*'^t«« '" 1770. If was seen a
.rrnf 1 i '""^ T ^^"'^ Province in 1846, since which date it .,.. , been a fre-
quent and unwelcome depredator upon the fall wheat crops, few years passi.c, with-
sirrdVMr:'BxrastrLr- "^*^' '^"•" ^'"^ ^i"'"-'''^- ^* "^^^^^ ^^^
Z !f;L.i^ ^^"""^ appearmg in the spring. There is a Hecond brood in spring w^cT attacks
the stalk, where tlie msect is mont generally noticed. Farmers harcfiv ever observe th!
msect at the root but every one who has observed it has seen itJmthe staUc. * ''
It attacks the stalk just above the first or second joint from the root whpr« if i.
break it, cauHing it to fall down, thus ruining the grain. nnany to
♦».» < fl the larva has fed for a considerable time upon the stalk, it assumes what is called
the flax-seed state, resembling in colour, size, and general ai pearancT aTrtin of H.«
the'fielT^A,'"''^- ^" *\"', ''^'ll^ *=""",""«« ^- ^ consicferable jwE'rul 'itlsSed from
tHs ' ii'^^eed .'sTaT/LaS Is '^^^ -T^^'T '* '' V^ '"""^ ^^'^'^'"^ poinH to whS
inis nax-seeu stage exactly is. It is looked upon as the pupa statre but how it ih nporli.no^
being so different from the form common amon^ insects-^as no^?^een det^r nnnertm bT
entomologists, some thinking that the ' flax-seed ' covering is the nuprsta^r and otherlthJ^
It ,s an exudation from the body. The Hessian fly attacks^he sLL^solSfneveJ tt elr " '
*'n«; l""^'*""ir™"'*^' **A^^'' the Hessian fly, and to them is probably due, more
tnan to any other cause the curtailment of its ravages. As means to the same end
Mr. Bethune suggests the following artiticial remedies :— '
"The artificial remedies I would recommend would be the abandonment of fall whpnf
pro tevi. or to sow as late as practicable in the autumn, in order that theTrv» mav ml find
the p ant sufficiently advanced for their attacks at the roots before winter set^ in An a.ldi
tional remedy-.f it may be so called -is to practice thorough cultivrt on in order'to make h«
plant as strong and healthy as possible, tl^at it may the Ltter wiSand tlS attLtt
fly. I have not observed that the Hessian fly : tnu ted by moisture iTtLsame^nnn;.
the midge. Its habitat in the summer is a very . - .,„«, oeing under the close en^elone ^?
leaves which protect thf stalk above the first or !.ec( ,k1 j<,i.it." envelope of
The Chinch bug although found in ' , . , is ., arcely known here as a destruc
tive insect although a great pest to the farmers of the Western States. The insects
represented m the illustration (see Fig. 6) are largely magnified, the lines belowiV
dicatmg their natural size. It attacks various kinds of grain, is a persistent and
incessant feeder throughcmt the whole of its existence and at ' every stTi of Tts
thP,wVn.?r W .'' ^"?^^ ^PP'r ' r"^ "" ^'"^"g ''''''^' "f vegetation is safe from
their attacks. Wet weather is a check to its mischief, "a heavy thunder-storm "
sayB Mr Bethune, '< being worth millions to the farmers of tL Western Ss
.ring the season of its ravages." It is, however, assailed by lady birds aS
winged flies and syrphus flies, veiy effectively, and thn«. t. «nm« o^^-it ro"'-4^Pd
in Its depredations. " ' -''.-nt, rc»..amed
ce of the peat
fa oRcapcd dis-
re laid, and the
thev remain all
: which attacks
^er observe the
>ot, where it ia
their exibtence,
attack is made
> sap, the result
^r BIX encircling
n and finally to
i what is called
a grain of the
is carried from
oint as to what
t is produced—
nined upon by
.nd others that
'er the ear. "
i of fall wheat
> may not find
in. An addi-
ler to make the
J attacks of the
ame manner as
se envelope of
Itj rGSi/rdiiicu
INJURIOUS INSECTS.
THE MIDGE, Cecidamyia Tritici
117
with 11 ^i^::ztS::izi^^^ ^ri=i^^r«%"^^«"' --^"^ri:
cloHed wrngs. Fiu. S, the e^gs. Fiy. 4, the outline of the llrva!, higidy inified. "™'' ""^
THE HESHIAN FLY,
Cecidomyia destructor.
THE CHINCH BUG,
Micropua Le^tcopterus.
Fig. 5.
Fig. 6,
Shows, on the left hand a 8i)ecimen of the true chinch
bug, on the right an ordinary bug, magnified.
THE APHID^ OR PLANT LICE.
7.
"^'^* '• Fig. 8.
The above figures will serve to illustrate the insects beloneine to this famiW i^.v, 7
"?y muchlJaT*'"^'^' ""^^' "^^'^ '^"^ ^""^'^'^ femair!?it tt XL fSale
i im
118
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
inse^L' al.FSnnn/^''"* ,"'' ^''' u^'^% ^, ^"^ ^^' ^^« * ^«" known family of
insects, and are found on a large number of plants. As a rule the AohidiE are n of
IZ tZT "' r ^'"^'v^ K "r -« ~-- -hen their propensittes for mTschie
take that direction. Mr. Brodie, of Toronto, says in his evidence on that point •-
Of the habits of the Aphidfe, Mr. Bethune says ■—
consequently are not required verv frennpntlv nnrl fJ!I„ i ''^^^ "^' -^ females,
towAthe^closeof thes^eai ThUal^poLrwIngs. ^ "'^' *'"^ appearance usually
„of J^^""'^^^T °^ *^^^^ '"f^*^*^ P*^* *h« -inter in lading places out of doors The itnnrP^
nated females lay eggs m the autumn that survive the winter and these hatoh nntTn^?£
needs a constant supply of food to live, and if it were detacLd it wouW die This doe« noi
petratrthrL*d*''""^"'^P^""^'^^' ^^^'-^ °^^-*'« to establish nit clnS'andto pel:
Happily not only such casualties as storms and climatic changes reduce the
mtfwS braifhSS?' ^'' ^''^ '-''-' "P«" 'y — parafitr 'oTtht's:
The Joint-worm (see Fig. 9) devotes itself chiefly to barley and rye, occasionallv
however, directing Its unwelcome attention to oats."^ Its last appLSnc^ 0^^^ Je
Sect !- ''' ""^^ ^" *''" ^'''' ^^^' ^""^ 1«^^- M^- bethune says of tSs
aboul'tiiVK^Sid joint™ortit'in%tf £iS.Tv1i^^^ «^' '^^-'^^PT^^^
i£^^to%Strs?^i-i5.s^^
st?r " Tt^aSslLVsS oTlJ^n^tlrf^^^^^
He ac' ^.s : —
of the risk incurred by the use ofTre. » however, are dangerous remedies, en account
The Angumois moth (Butalis r .rMelUx), with its caterpillar, has been seldom
seen, to any injurious extent, for a long period. aeldom
:nown family of
Aphidte are not
ities for mischief
an that point: —
5le-aphis, and the
oat crop in North
weight of oats that
1."
lit abundance, and
as been found, hy
nee during a large
last through the
ions. The males,
)pearance usually
1 that each female
s and able to pro-
alculated that, in
ir accident in the
IS checks imposed
8 earth would be
obably no kind of
•rs. The impreg-
hatch out in the
3s of females con-
ance.
dies— it has, as a
juices ; in fact, it
. This does not,
lonies and to per-
inot assimilate it
the surrounding
and other sweet -
ifter the aphidae,
im a cow. They
lomen, thus forc-
iately make use.
regular pasture.
ly, are deposited
sometimes been
the stock of the
iseot lives inside
lion of the outer
been seldom
INJURIOUS INSECTS.
THE JOINT WORM— /sosoma hordei.
119
Fig. 9.
THE ARMY WORM — Leucania unipuncta.
^/^Sf. 10. Fig, ii_
Of which Fig. 10 shows the caterpillar, and Fig. 11 the moth.
THE SEVENTEEN-YEAR LOCUST.
THE RED-LEGGED GRASSHOPPER
—Galoptenus femur -rubrum.
!«^^^^sss»s^sii^M''»^s
120
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
The Army worm (Lencania unipuncta)—Bee Figs. 10 and 11— has a terrible
reputation and is more common than many suppose, not often in such force as to
produce very serious results, although it is sufficiently destructive. Mr. Bethune
says of it : —
.f ..I'lSi"^^"?' '" ^*J*«'t8 '^'^bjts are thoroughly known, feeds chiefly upon wild grasses
^Lfnlw '^.''"P"'.'*'!^ F"''. °^ '""'?* meadows and marshes, at times bdng exceSy
hnJ if '^l.^ K n?T'^ri'^°'' ' sometimes become in its own locality that, like the chinch
ferdeJtodoSh^ in^^'r^'-^^i.^^^y "*^f '"««''*«• '* ««*« out tolind fresh supplies.
on™nrH ;„ . .1 f^ i"'^°.*? assenjble in very large numbers, and they all seem to go with
Cv ™ - Of "'" ''"■f^*"'"' a? if they were a regularly marshalled army, hence the name
rnvt^Lri ren?r T^ *v '*".?"' •^.^''"* ^^''' ^^'"» ^^'^ "^ '" battalions etc., are purely
fence or a hSn tht^tr^T^'''^' *''^^/" r*.*"";" ^"'« ^"'- ^"^ obstacle; if they come to a
It^ ti, M ' **>ey ."^"^y *" S« over it instead of around it. They will stream across roads
«.?! i '^^'^fy K''''^' '" ^"?» ^'^*"''' *"^ lately i" ^"^'ew Brunswick, have been covered to
reL/so'?eafed\harrr' *^!,'"":T«'^t "^ th« trains, the driving wheels of the locomotive
If the Army worm has up to the present time done no very serious injury to the
CTops in Ontario It still must be regarded as an ever-present and possible danger.
Mr. Bethune says on this point:— ^
ta,-n'l^P^nl"a?.ffhi?, ^^^^ "^''T ^e^" ji^it^d bjr such numbers, but we have had them to a cer-
meetin? hem toS h! T^^ destructive. When they appear in numbers the best method of
^!!ol ^, -fK T -, *' &v^>^^.^ "^^.^P iarrow, or dig a trench, in the front of their line of
^Jttl f > f fi'^P ^'i^ '" *•"" direction in which they are going, and when they are trying
get out of ,t, to throw .traw or shavings or something of that kind and set fire to it, or other-
r.?nf "'^ *.'?'°' with earth. It is an insect to which we are liable at any time, and any
sort of vegetation, whether grain crops or anything else, is food for it. It is a very common
insect, and I suppose all our gardens have a few specimens at all times, but it does noTpro"
p^-ate very rapidly ,n our climate, though if the checks upon it were removed, it would
increase enormously m numbers." ""»cii, »i, wuum
kee^'it'^*'^^ h^^k^ ^^^^^ °^ ^^^^ species, and several parasites and friendly insects
V, "J*'^^'''^ worm M.«7nofes mancus )," s&ya Mr. Bethune. "is sometimes troublesome to
S^rvVH w'tbf/'* I'ves alto^^ether out of sight, under ground, and hence it is not much
ftenf ^n.n f'"""- ^* " * n""^ '^^'"^^' *'"■"!'' ^'^^ «'^ l«Ss under the anterior portion of
^hi^h /; ff}^ l^l "I" "'f ^^ y^""^ "•■, t'^^^'y ^"l""""' an'l i« very hard, unlike our caterpillars,
which are soft to the touch, consequently receiving its name, the ' wire worm. ' It feeds under
ground upon the roots of vegetation, and is looked upon in England as one of the very worst
foes o. wheat In Ontario we have not been able to estiuiate its ravages as resulting in any
fbseJved'ik ploulhing!" ""*'' " *^'^ "'' '"'"'^ on out of s^ht. It is frequent"?
The wire worm, however, does not cease to be troublesome when it quits its
larval state, and appears in the shape of the spring-back beetle.
• u'J^': P^.^'^^t "^f *i'.''^/" ''""y? ^''- Bethune, "is very familiar; it flies into the house at
f^&r anything sVeet."'' '""^ '"'^ ^' ^"""'^ "'''^""^ *^°"'^ ^^^ ^''"'^•"^ ^^""^ *^'««" '•?«
He recommends employing children to follow the plough and pick up the wire
worm, or to turn turkeys and ducks into the ploughed fields, as remedies for the
too great numbers of this creature.
The larva of another very familiar insect, popularly known as the daddy lon^-
legs {Itpula), IS more injurious to timothy and ordinary grasses than to grain. °
"Its larva," says Mr. Bethune, "is a grayish, dirty-coloured caterpillar that feeds unon
gram, and vegetation of a si,„ilar kind. It has the faculty of surviving iXense cold Some
years ago specimens were sent me that were gathered at the close of%vinter in a field n^r
Cobourg ; they seemed to be perfectly hard frozen, and apparently as brittle as ifttle ticks
^Inir *^ fPPl"=at'"n of warmth, they became quite livel/and prepared to feed. iTattacks
the roots of the plant, and meadows and 'awns are often seriously iiijured by its ravages "
The Province of Ontario has never been afflicted by a visitation from the Rockv
Muuiitani wcusia [(;aiopie,ms »pretm), altliough, in other parts of the Dominion,
that calamity has been experienced. The history of this pest and its migrations is
INJURIOUS INSECTS.
121
1 — has a terrible
1 such force as to
e. Mr. Bethune
r upon wild grasses
8 being excessively
hiat, like the chinch
find fresh supplies,
all seem to go with
ny, hence the name
ms, etc., are purely
;■ if they come to a
treara across roads,
ve been covered to
la of the locomotive
ad to be thrown on
0U8 injury to the
possible danger.
t had them to a cer-
the best method of
ont of their line of
len they are trying
fire to it, or other-
any time, and any
; is a very common
ut it does not pro-
removed, it would
friendly insects
THE COLORADO BEETLE— Dor^/p^oi'a decemlineata.
¥ig. 14.
Shows the Colorado Beetle in its various stages of development.
lea troublesome to
ce it is not much
mterior portion of
f e our caterpillars,
a. ' It feeds under
of the very worst
18 resulting in any
It is frequently
hen it quits its
into the house at
ig from trees, ripe
)ick up the wire
•emedies for the
the daddy long-
n to grain.
' that feeds upon
ense cold. Some
;er in a field near
le as little sticlts,
feed. It attacka
' its ravages, "
Tom the Rocky
the Dominion,
ts migrations is
THREE-LINED LEAF BEETLE-
Lema Trilineata.
THE STRIPED BLISTER BEETLE-
JSpicauta vittata.
Fig- 15. Fig. 16. Fig. 17.
Fig. 15 represents the larvae of this insect ; and Fig. 16, the beetle.
122
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
interesting, but as, for reasons given in the evidence, there appears to be no reason
to dread it in this Province, it will be sufficient briefly to notice Mr. Bethune's
description of its habits. He says : —
"The life history of this insect in a few words is as follows :— They are hatched out in the
plains in countless numbers, eat up everything before them, and consequently become desti-
tute ; instinct compels them to move on, just as in the case of the army worm, and being
winged insects, th'.y fly up into the air to a considerable height, and are then borne along^by
the wind, alighting when they reach a country covered with vegetation. Z^ __;
" Not being able to fly against the wind, their flight during the latter part of summer has
been found to be invariably from the north and north-west towards the east, this being the
direction of the then prevailing winds. They then deposit their eggs, from which are hatched
out next spring, new insects. In the spring the prevailing winds are in an opposite direction,
and the new insects, having obtained their wings, are carried back towards their origin:
haunts, whence, in turn, fresh hordes are borne to the east.
"They have never come much east of the Missouri River, and I think the Mississippi
will be found to be their extreme limit eastward. This was the conclusion Professor Riley
came to, so that we need never fear them in Ontario. The insect devours in all its stages."
We have, however, often a ver3' disagreeable experience of the presence of the
near relative of the locust, the red-legged grasshopper {Caloptenus femurrubrum), its
powers for mischief being limited, and only limiteu, by its incapacity for flying
more than a few yards at a time. As a matter of fact this insect is a locust and not
a grasshopper at all. (See Fig. 12.)
"The grasshopper, properly so-called," says Mr, Bethune, "is a grayish-green insect that
feeds upon grass and foliage, and is never sutfaciently numerous to do much damage."
Mr. Brodie, in his evidence, refers to the great injury done by the insects to
crops in the County of York some twenty or twenty-five years ago. Since that date
the loss sustained by them in that district has been considerable. They were, some
seven or eight years ago, so numerous in some parts of Muskoka as to inflict much
sufiering and inconvenience on new settlers, and the evidence taken by the Com-
missioners in that district shows that they are Etill in places exceedingly trouble-
some. In the County of Lanark they have more recently done much mischief.
Mr. James Donald, in his evidence, says on this point : —
" In our district the grasshoppers attacked the crops severely about four or five years ago.
They had been numerous the year before, but did not hurt the grain crops. Four years ago
they ate up everything but peas. They even ate the corn in the ear and the potato vines.
The next year they were as bad. That induced people to raise rye, which got ahead cf their
ravages.
" The wet season at harvsst time in the next year diminished them. Since then they have
continued to decrease in numbers. They still do harm in the pastures. The years they were
most troublesome were very dry years. The plentiful supply of grass crops is always a pro-
tection to the grain against their attacks.
" Of 24 acres of hay that should have given IJ tons to the acre I did not get a load ; and of 11
acres of oats I had none to thresh out. This was ;n the worst year — I think 1877. The spring
wheat was also destroyed. Their ravages extended over the whole country, less or more, ex-
cept in some of the good farm lands."
Other witnesses from that section of country fully confirm Mr. Donald's descrip-
tion. The grasshoppers' favourite breeding grounds are old pasture lands and
meadows witli light dry soil. To the parasitical enemies of this insect we have to
look almost exclusively for its destruction.
The Cicada, often spoken of as a locusv, " known by the peculiar shrill whizzing
sound which it makes in the trees during the heat of the day," is hardly to be
termed destructive in its habits. The seventeen-year and thirteen-year locusts of
the United States are members of the Cicada family. The seventeen-ye.tr locust is
represented in the accompanying illustrations. (See Fig. 13.)
INSECTS INJURIOUS TO THE POTATO.
Some notice of the insects injurious to the potato come next in order. First
of these is the too well-known Colorado beetle, of which an illustration in its various
stages of development is given. (See Fig. 14.) Having its home originally in the
rs to be no reason
ice Mr. Bethune's
e hatched out in the
lently become desti-
ny worm, and being
hen borne along^by
part of summer has
east, this being the
n which are hatched
1 opposite direction,
vards their originn
hink the Mississippi
sion Professor Riley
in all its stages."
e presence of the
femurrubrum), its
apacity for flying
s a locust and not
sh-green insect that
ih damage."
by the insects to
Since that date
They were, some
as to inflict much
aken by the Com-
3eedingly trouble-
9 much mischief.
lince then they have
rhe years they were
3ps is always a pro-
ar shrill whizzing
," is hardly to be
3n-year locusts of
;een-yeAr locust is
; in order. First
tion in its various
! originally in the
INJURIOUS INSECTS.
THE SPHINX QUINQUE-MACULATA.
123
Fig. lii.
Fig. 18 shows the lar.a partly grown, the perfect moth, and the chrysalis.
124
ONTARIO AfiRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
Ill
«
!
Rocky Mountains, it travelled eastward as it found itself within reach of the culti-
vated potato plant of whicli it is so greedy a consumer. Mr. Bethuno thus des-
cribes its arrival in Canada. He says :—
" It kept moving eastward, still increasing in numbers, nntilit covsred the whole of the
htates west of us. In 1871 1 found it very abundant at ChicaRo, and on the shores of Lake
Michigan ; it was then unknown in Canada. I wrote some articles in the daily and weekly
Globe, and Canada Farmer, callinK attention to the insect, and warning the people of this
country of tho invasion which was about to take place, and proposing that some measures
should be takf :. l)y the Legislature to ward it off, if such a thing were practicable. Nothing,
however, was clone, and the following year the insect made its appearance, crossing the Kiver
" We supposed that it would have gradually come eastward, but, to our surprise, it tf)ok
advantage of the railways and canals, and spread itself with great rapidity, even to the re-
mote parts of the Province. Having once arrived in this country, there was no possible
means olrepeUmg the invasion, and the only plan was to keep it under as far as possible."
At first its appearance created a feeling of some dismay, and a want of acquaint-
ance with any effective means of destroying the pest occasioned serious loss to the
potato crop. But public attention having been fully aroused, action was taken,
and now the potato bug, as it is called, is not the cause of very much alarm. Mr.
Bethune says with regard to its suppression : —
"As the result partly of the experiments i)f Professor Riley, and partly of those of Mr.
toaunders and Mr. Reed, who were appointed a committee by the Department of Agriculture
1 ans green was found to be the most effective remedy. The information being communicated
to the_ public by the Department of Agriculture and the newspapers, our farmers at once be-
came informed of the best mode of attacking the insect, and ever since it has been kept in
tair check. At hrst the crop of potatoes was short, and the price raised, but, since the first
two or three years, it has not been looked upon as a very serious pest, simply because every-
body is on the j/tZj-wi-e against it. I am certain, however, that if the community were to relax
their efforts, It would soon eat up all our potatoes. There is no doubt that it ia now a per-
manent resident of the country, and that we shall never be entirely free from it.
"It lives upon all the members of the solanaceoua family ; it will occasionally attack the
tomato ; it is very fond of the egg-plant, and of the wild members of the family, such as the
bitter-sweet and the deadly nightshade.
"It is a disputed point whether Paris green pred judicially affects the potato plant, but
there is no evidence, so far as I know, that it does. It is a question whether, if used year
after year on the same piece of ground, it would not affect the soil somewhat. I think our
fanners are not sufficiently careful in handling it. It is excessively poisonous, and there are
every year a number of cases of poisoning arising from its use, which ordinary care would be
sufbcient to guard against.
"There are a number of insect parasites which attack the Colorado beetle, but, of course
the application of Paris green kills these as well as the beetles. If the potato were not grown
to sucli an enormous extent, these parasites would keep the beetle down to the dimensions of
an ordinary plague, without artificial remedies."
London purple is another remedy very similar in its effects to Paris green. In
using these powerful poisons where potatoes are grown in large quantities, the best
way, says Mr. Bethune, "is to apply the poison dry mixed with lime, ashes or
earth, but wherever there is a danger of its being blown on other vegetables the
better way is to mingle it with water and apply it with a whisk, it can be done
just as rapidly in this as in any other way."
The careful and persevering daily destruction of the eggs, a work in which chil-
dren can be very well emiiloyed, is usually the means of greatly reducing the num-
bers of this pest.
The three-lined leaf beetle {Lema trilineata)~-aee Figa. 15 and 16 and the
striped blister beetle {Epimuta vittata)—see Fig. 17— are also enemies of the
potato, and may be destroyed, if they become damagingly numerous, by the use of
Paris green.
The potato or tomato worm, feeding on both these plants, although preferring
the latter, is thus described by Mr. Bethune : — i- fa
"When disturbed, it raises its head in a very threatening manner, and altogether look,
so teroeio-us diat it is popularly supposed to be very poisonous, which, however, is not '„ne
case. Its bite being so feeble as not to even penetrate the tender skin of one's h J-d ,»• arm
When connected with the Canmla Farmer, I looked into a number of cases in which the bite
reach of tlie culti-
ethuno thus des-
Bd the wliolfi of the
the shores of Lake
16 daily and weekly
r the people of this
that some measures
cticable. Nothing,
, crossing the Kiver
INJURIOUS INSECTS.
PLUSIA BALLUCA.
135
want of acquaint-
lerious loss to the
ction was taken,
luch alarm. Mr.
tly of those of Mr.
ent of Agriculture,
eing communicated
farmers at once be-
lt has been kept in
but, since the first
iply because every-
unity were to relax
at it ia now a per-
)m it.
sionally attack the
family, such as the
f potato plant, but
3tner, if used year
what. I think our
lous, and there are
nary care would be
tie, but, of course,
tto were not grown
) the dimensions of
Paris green. In
antities, the best
1 lime, asJies or
: vegetables, the
it can be done
rk in wliich chil-
ducing the num-
lougli preferring
d altogether lookj
lowever, is not tne
one's ha,vA :,i- arm.
s in which the bite
Fig. 19.
THE 10 EMPEROR. MOTH AND CATEUPlLLAn-Hyperchiria VCIV
la.
12(5
ONTARIO AOBICULTUEAL COMMISSION.
ttorv^„nL,n!lp? ..1 r I'Tc' *° ^y"^- ''T^*' Poisoning, and found every one of them
SLp« « H P i; «wTA'.' ^''I conclusion tliat tl.e atoriea had been cauaecl either by the
wZ w ;• f iV. ^r*"- J.*''!u''"S^ 'r ^*^" Mcertained to be identical with the tobacco-
wonn, which la so great a pest in the Southern States."
The Sphinx moth (^^linx quirujue-maculata) is the mature insect of the tomato
worm, ihe ophuix is described as livine through the winter in its chrysalis state :
the luotli, a handsome creature, derives its name from five orange spots on each
side of its body. (See Fig. 18.)
INSECTS INJURIOUS TO THE HOP PLANT.
The hop aphis (Aphis humidi), living on the juices of the plant, attacking the
L?b Mr Bethu"ne -^'' ^^'g^*^"g ^""^ withering up the plant, is thus referred
" In England the growth of the hop is almost dependent, from vear to vear unon thp
appearance or absence o the 'fly,' or apiis, known as Aphis rumuTthCgh.irthi; country!
we are not troubledby it to the same extent. It is not necessary to give an account of the
bltrV'L*'^ *^'' T'^°^• "'' *''** 8iven <.f the grain aphis will also apply to thfs variety It
wJLtk ^ "T^ *°iv' ''"""'•■y from England, though the hop is an indigenous plant
here, as I have observed it growing on the Kaministiquia River, where it is not at all provable
« ftrJZ pJT "''• ''"i"' ll^h^J"^'"'^ »'"°^"'? ^"^ •» many' parts of the North-West. It
Engknd."^ niHKJssible that the insect may have existed here before its introduction from
It is to parasites we are indebted for a defence against this pest
The hop-vine snout moth (Hypena humuli) is described as follows:—
"There is another insect very destructive to the hop, viz., the hop- vine snout moth, or
SfrvXife"l'ivt;. tSr/fr-rf ^■'' ^'r"" '^t^e county of Peel to a considerable extent
and while living there 1 found this insbct very abundant indeed
Occurring in large numbers, it destroys the foliage of the plants, and so injures them
S TnnTl™'' ?h ^"P' ^- *" • '"?'^*/';« produced. It is a Dale green 'worm, whidi appeals
i iT; . ?;PP«|"."8 '» J^^y *" '^y its eggs, and anotlier brood appearing later on, so
^hnl rl^ ^ two broods in a year. When disturbed it lets itself down by a silLn thread a
short distance, and if let alone, climbs up again." "iiiwn micu,u
Strong tobacco water, lime dusted -on the plant, and hellebore, are useful
remedies against this insect.
Some cut worms and a caterpillar very much resembling the cut-worm in appear-
ance, but not very precisely identified by the witnesses, are also found among the
nop s assailants. °
Two butterflies (Ch-apta iiderrogationis and Grapta comma) also feed on the hop
and are occasionally so numerous as to be a nuisance. They are described as— '
"Of a reddish colour on the upper surface of the wings, and dull on the under surface
TJi^^,:^'Z7inX^V^iS;h °^ ^ ^^'-''^'^^^'^ ^''^ ^--^ ™-^ «^ interrogator:;
Their parnsites will be noticed with others in due course
A smaU butterfly, and its caterpillar {Thecla humuli), and a moth (Flusia halhica)
with wings of "a very bnlhant metallic green colour," and of which an iUustr ion
IS also given (see Fig. 1% feed on the hop, but not to a damaging extent.
ihe lo Jl-mperor moth (Hyperchiria varia) and its caterpillar are also illustrated.
oi '"I oo"^° mv '"S *^® smaller and the female the larger insect. (See Figs 20
21 and 22.) The insect remains in its chrysalis state during the winter and the moth
appears m the spring. They are not so numerous as to be destructive. The cater-
pillar has a curious faculty, which is thus described by Mr. Bethune. He says:—
"The caterpillar has won some distinction over our other caterpillars by being possessed
of a stingmg property. It ,s covei;ed with bands of bristles, and when they pierce tKnder
skin of theTjody they produce an irritation similar to that caused by nettles. It grows to a
considerable size, and when coiled up somewhat resembles the burr of a chestnut. It has a
fe± "'^ri'i'^i""'' H "^^^ '}^^' "^ "^^^ ^9^y throughout nearly the entire
ib^fo=^Jhp »««iitVLlffffil^'""Tw" j"^" '■^''^ yeiiow spine-ruig«, a remarkable insect, and one
amongTt StVersf ^poSe tp. "* '"'^ "P°" ^ ^"^ '''''' ^^"^^^ '' *^-«' «^-^« -^ ?'-*«'
INJUmOVS INSECTS.
127
i every one of them
caused either by the
f a wanp gometimea
cal with the tobacco-
[ant, attacking the
it, is thus referred
ar to year, upon the
ugh, in this country,
'e an account of the
' tothis variety. It
m indigenous plant
is not at all probable
he North-West. It
ta introduction from
THE PEA WBBVIL, OR PEA BUG — BrUC?lU8 Plsi.
vine snout moth, or
considerable extent,
md so injures them
'orm, which appears
spearing later on, so
by a silken thread a
ebore, are useful
t-worm in appear-
found among the
) feed on the hop,
1 escribed as —
the under surface,
of interrogation), or
th (Flusia balhica)
ich an illusti ion
extent.
re also illustrated,
!t. (See Figs. 20,
nter and the moth
ctive. The cater-
une. He says :—
by being possessed
ey pierce the tender
;tles. It grows to a
chestnut. It has a
It nearly the entire
able insect, and one
, shrubs and plants.
THE CABBAGE BUTTERFLY — Pieris rapOB.
Fig. 24.
Fig. 25.
■> •
Fig. 26.
I'ig. 24 shows the male ; Fig. 25 the female ; and Fig. 26 (a) the larva, and (bj the chrysalis.
128
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
inhe<;ts injurious to thk pka.
The pen weevil (Brnchus pini) is a comparatively recent importation, and at the
present time a source of great loss and injury to the agriculturist. It has not only
rendered the pea crop nearly valueless to tlio homo consumer, but it lias well nigh
destroyed a profitable trade in seed peas carried on with the States. (See Fig. 23.)
The following description is given of the pea bug by Mr. Uethune :—
"It 18 a very remarkable creature in its habits. The parent insect is a little beetle, which
(lepoHits Its eg|/8 in the bottom of the jwa, just before the petals fall. The eg^ hatches out a
Jittle worm which penetrates down inside of the growing pod, fastens upon and enters the
young pea. The liole which it makes when entering the nea is completely filled up by the
8Ub8ef^uent growth, conse(|uently when the pea is ripened the insect is found inside without
any visible aperature at all, ati.l the wonder to the ordinary observer is, how the creature
ever got there. The pea devel , < in the ordinary way, and seems to grow as lar',e as usual,
but, of course, is verv deficient in weight. The insect docs not eat away the whole interior
of the pea, but simply a hole in it, in which it goes th. jugh all its transformations. When
It arrives at the stage of the perfect beetle, it gnaws its way through, flies away, and ar)pearH
again to lay the eggs for the next crop of insects. I have no doubt these insects are eaten
very often m peas which are brought to the table, but having fed upon nothing but the nea
they have no taste and do harm to nobody." >- » t .
Numerous references have been made to this pest in the course of the inquiry
Mr. Brodie says of it : — •''
" Tha pea weevil is rapidly moving northward and westward. In the vicinity of Toronto
in favourable seasons, there are two broods. From close personal observation, I am quite sure
of this. I have been assured by careful observers that there are two broods in the townships
south of London, so that the expedient of early or late sowing is of little avail. So rapidly is
this insect increasing in the county of York that unless some remedy is applied, farmers will
have to give up the cultivation of peas."
Mr. Hobson, of the County of Wellington, says : —
"We have not grown many peas lately, on account of the pea bug. There is a bug to
each pea. The only remedy I know of for this pest is to stop growing peas altogether for two
or three years. I was told by Mr. Kenton that it was very bad in Wentworth about twentv
years ago, and that the farmers generally gave up growing it for two years, and the result
was that the bug was destroyed. I don't think there is any other remedy."
Mr. Drury on the other hand, from the neighbourhood of Barrie, County of
Simcoe, '* had never seen a pea bug in the district."
Mr. Dickson, of Tuckersmith (Huron), says : —
"The pea bug seemed to begin its ravages in the southern counties, and it is gradually
working north. I have no doubt they will get a taste of it in Simcoe by and by. Last year
the pea crop completely failed with me, and this year I have not sown a bushel, in the hope
that the pest may die out. . •. . . The farmers in my district have ceased growing peas
almost altogether. I used to get /50 per cent, more for black-eyed Marrowfat peas than for
any others. Before the pea bug came I raised thirty bushels to the acre. Latterly the bug
became so bad that there was scarcely a pea that had not a bug in it."
In June last the bug had not made its appearance in Lanark when Mr. Matheson,
of Perth, was examined, at Toronto, nor had it arrived when the Commissioners
visited that district in October last.
But in Kent the consequences of its attacks have been yery disastrous. Mr. S.
White, of Charing Cross, Kent, says : —
"Peas have gone out of cultivation because of the bug. A few are still sown, but I think
the Legislature should prohibit their growth until the bug is killed out. They used to grow
well in this county. I think the blue pea is as little liable to the bug as any. The only plan
we had of avoiding the bug was to sow very late, and we sowjwl later and later every year
but now we cannot secure a crop even by that means. I think it is nearly twenty years since
the pea bug made its appearance. Before that the pea crops were both large and profitable.
We used to sow wheat after peas, and it was a crop that answered well for that p\irpose.
" I don't think any decisive steps were taken at first to prevent the ravages of the bug.
Some are growing peas yet, and of course that is sufficient to keep the pest in existence."
There has been no concurrent effort made to take action in the matter ; the Agricultural
Rndrtjcs have dono nothing in particular to get rid of the- insect. There is no hope'of getting
rid of it, in my opinion, until the people are compelled to quit sowing peas. I don't know of
any who are raising peas successfully. I think I have heard of its being got rid of in other
ttle beetle, which
eg^ hatcheH out a
n find enters the
y filled up by the
id insiile without
low the creature
an lar',e as UHual,
lie whole interior
mations. When
yay, and ajjpearH
insectH are eaten
iiing but the pea,
inity of Toronto,
, I am quite Bure
in the townships
1. So rapidly is
ied, farmers will
Chere is a bug to
together for twr>
th about twenty
3, and the result
rie, County of
^r. Matheson,
Commissioners
rous. Mr, S.
(vn, but I think
ey used to grow
The only plan
iter every year,
inty years since
and profitable.
t purpose,
ijesof the bug,
at in existence,
le Agricultural
hope of getting
don't know of
rid of in other
INJURIOUS INSECTS.
THE ZKBRA CATERPILLAR — Mamestra picta.
199
Fig. 27.
THE CABBAGE PLUSiA— P^tts/a hramkoB.
Fig. 28.
THE CUT-WORM— ^(/ro<is messoreia. the harlequin cabbage bug
— Strackia hiatrionica.
Fig. 30.
Fig. 29,
Fig. 29 shows the larva and moth of the dark-sided cut-worm (Agi-otis messoreia), one of our
commonest species.
IPP
lilU'
130
ONTAIIIO AQIiWULTURAL COMMISaiON.
countlen by conctirrent action in tha mannar miggeated. Some contlnua to row dailm f..r th«
C'cTrj/- """« ""'" «"*"• ^ ''""" "' "» """»" "' »»•• count^Xr^tV^r" a" o7,i^a:
Mr. Jler, from ColohoBter, Ewex, says :—
♦-^..I'l^r'^iX"^. l**" *." tf"wn. owin* to the prevalence of the pea hua We have been
KSruS of our^Boin'r"- .l^y^y-^'^' Vr •reaUolial.uftomildew" llhink""
H.r*ti,. mS tL Inntv 1 n n ' -'"^J'"" '"""u" *f,*^*'y l^/"^.*" ^'n"" *«« "»«=»'. »»>t in other
jioruotiM ot tne co.inty w») could raiNe them profltably Imt for the \mu»
n>ean. ad'o 2l LTt'ri.! Z/* '."""' ^"> ^ *'"'"''• ^.'"^ *" '""ea-inp year by year. The only
TenerX Etfl?l'^ r f iIVL I'T.^" '"T**^ Krowii.K ,P«aH. an.l tHat ineann ha« been pretty
Keneraiiy adopted. 1 think that in the only way of KcttnK rid of them The \mit in troul.l/
""kTlliiV\Z nr''K.,/ *'*'";*, ''"'r *r 'T^ ^^^^ '•«'" «ny coIopLtlTm ^''^hVprpt
b«!"i'n;t!r;;ow'i"t ;: Tn'otff pi:;?::';/ tr l^ntyT'" ^^^'"'^ »'"•"• '^ «•'""'''• '•"««"*•
Mr. Ketcham Graham, of Sidney, County of Hastings, nays:—
our '^eldVZ ti;i?.if.r't& *" ^l,"- "*""'?"" f'f ^ '^*'« ""'y I'^»» *« talte *« "^^^ «» » t» get
our seed trom tlie northern townHhips, where it Ih not so prevalent."
Mr. H. Middleton, of Clark, Durham, says:—
the frJn't'*,!f%h?l-;lwl!!rr"f^'''''"* "^i.**'^ P"" '"'«" *^''' •'«'^""' *ho»Kh they were common in
bushK. the acre/' ^*""'" ''™ * ^^'^ profitable crop. producinK from 20 to 40
Mr. Smellio, of Vaughan, County of York, says on the same subject :-
almolt^ZwlfV^ "^'^ "^"^L '^'*^ "' until the last two vearH, and since then the bug haH
& el ™ bf I. JIT- •^''"'^ Pe..r>le this year sowe/ their peae very late, after every.
In the neighbourhood of Owen Sound the pea bug has not yet arrived. The
growth of peas in that section is very large, and the crop, usually, a heavy one.
Most persons Mill therefore sympathize with Mr. Cochrane, of Kilsyth, when he
peacroS.^"^^" ''"*' °"^''* *" ^^ '°"''^'' ''^*®'' ^""^ '**'°"*'° "^ °°""*''y ^^'K^'y depends on its
Replies to questions ffbm other parts of the I.ovince all go to show that the
pea bugs ravages have been extensive, that the pest is still advancing, and that no
section IS perfectly safe from its presence. It does not appear that the pea bug is
subject to any parasitical attacks, so we are left to devise what artificial means we
may for its extermination. ^
Mr. Bethune suggests some remedies, of which one is the following :—
^™ l!^^^ remedv, which I have seen practised to avert it, is to keep the seed peas, if thev
are observed tofce infested at all, over the year in ti^ht vessels, ^he peas, ?or instance
Tein^^nnlhllS" ye*'' »nd next year the beetle woulS mature and come out'of them, and
being unable to escape from the vessel it would die. There would be no place to lay its ejfKs
veai f^lt^^f\r'^ ^"f, ^H ^,""1-^ ^l ^'^"«'«««- « these peas were sown the folowTg
and l^^^^^./fl^^'^V^""^'' probably die, but a very large proportion would retain their vitalit?
and germinate, and the ensuing crop would be entirely free from the bug." vimuty
^hJ^'^ isobviously only a partial remedy, and its complete success depends upon
the chance that the bug has left the pea in a vital and germinating condition. But
it is probably a safer measure than the next suggestion, which is as follows :—
r.v^Jl^""*'^*"' '■f'"«<^y '» to, pour water which has been heated almost to the boiling point
Srt of th^'eTC ThTmlfh'TfT^ *? '^\^l^'' '"'^"'''^ V^Hi" th« '"«««*' but not thWta
part 01 tne plant. This method of treatment, however, would have to be carried out with a
great deal of care I have noticed that a very large number of the infested peTswmflS on
the water, while the unmfested ones will sink to the bottom, during a brief fmmersion The
comnlpK^^'^f '"^ ***'f-^^y be roughly separated from the unsould, but t would not be a
L^tS^haTSen e^Terourwo^u^Kt"?^ ''''' "'''' '^°«« '^ ^^'^^ *»>« ^"^^^ P«^-» «^ *»»«
It is, however, stated that by placing the peas in a warm room the insects will
be prematurely hatched into life, come forth from their holes in the peas, and
---3 - — ... .„,„ ju^jj wiii aie, tuu
out danger of propagating the pest.
...... V..V/.X iiv^Aco 111 vxia jjvius, aiiu,
; peas being then used as seed with-
n tiowr iMM for th«
i« growing of {)«afl
;. We have been
lildew. I think a
auch, but in other
Y year. The only
i» has been pretty
'he buK iH troul)le-
m for the purpose
y general conHent,
avoid it is to get
f were common m
^ing from 20 to 40
y depends on its
bIiow that the
g, and that no
the pea bug is
ficial me{^n8 we
ng:—
eed peas, if they
eas, for instance,
^ut of them, and
!e to lay its eggs,
ifn the following
ain their vitality
the boiling point
but not the vital
rried out with a
)eas will float on
mmersion. The
; would not be a
sr portion of the
he insects will
the peas, and,
I as seed with-
iNJumoua INSECTS.
THE ROOT PLANT I.OVHE— Erin furma pijin.
IM
Fig. 31.
In Fig. 31 a reproHents the galls, a specimen of the work of this insect ; ft and c the perfect
winged insect magnified ; the hair lii-es at the sides give the correct size.
THE STRIPED BORER — Sapevda caTidida.
6
Fig. 32.
' Fig, 32— a the larva or grub, b the chrysalis, and c tlie perfect beetle.
BUPRESTis APPLE TREE BORER — O/trysobothria femorata.
Fig. 33.
Fig, 33, a shows the larva, 6 the chrysalis and d the perfect insect.
132
ONTARIO AGBICULTUBAL COMMISSION.
IS
thatl^'^ ""T^ "^"*^ '" ^^''^ "^ obvious danger, there is a call for legislation to avert
W ll™f "l'*'",!''l"1"'^^« *'^" *"*^1 destruction of the pea cn^ Sd entaJl In
i' iii' the t me' InS v?t trre'Y"" '""i '""^*^ ^T^' P-bably^atheLgrn numbers aS
Sbemtion or^pffnl ? '^^'^ "«* «^«"^ *« ^^ve been any concerted action, any
utiiDeration, or effort, to provide remedies. Mr. White sir s •—
quitXt't^e'^."'^'''' "^ ^'"'"^ "^ °' ^*' "' ">y °l''"i°". "ntil tl»e "people are compelled to
Mr. Cochrane, from Grey, says :—
present the sowint^fpea^infeSedw/ththeTug!" *''"'' P"^'""' ^^ey would pass a by-law to
of Wentwrr*?h wn« nlf '.''^7f .r""*'?"*^ ^^ ^"« ''^ *^« witnesses that the County
ot wentworth was cleared of the pest, some twenty years ago, by the farmers fori
nSurel Srcruldb! d" ^"" ^^^^ • V' ^^VT ^^ -1-*-^ effort or", it'ry
be benehcial Bn tit In "' every infested district, the result could not fail to
oe oenencial. But the danger would be in a re- mportation of the buM whpn npa
growing was resumed. Temporary abstinence from soSg would have to bp
Z^£fZff f ""'Ti f'^""''^' "^"^"«^ *he re-introducS oTinLLd seed or
SLS^oulin thatTit ^' '" \T- ^' ^^^*"*^^ by M^- Saunders in his report on
Mamtoulin, that the pea crop there is quite free from the bug, and that infested
peas have been sown m that region without the bug making itrawlrance It ^^
gratifying to know that the usually healthy atmosphere rStTuirfs unfavoui
matizatit' %tf ^^^^^^^^ 1"°"^^ obviously be unW to presum^on ils not^^^^^^^^^
i£:^::un.^Tn^^^^ '' «"^=-*^^ *^^* *h« I«l-d -y afford a
INSECTS INJURIOUS TO THE CABBAGE.
destroy the »bove.„,.^i„„edc.bK^t,;iaIt;j;;,i:i" Seelfe. sT' "" ' "'"'
Of the Out.wor,„ (See F.g. 2!)) which attacks the cahbage.ljr 6ethi,„e say, -
INJURIOUS INSECTS.
133
LARViE OF OYSTER SHELL BARK LOUSE — Aspidiotus concJiiformia. ■
8 compelled to
ot yet become
cils the power
k the measure
ilty if he were
•ry out such a
•, if the atten-
ik the persona
bug was such
have not the
3s a by-law to
Fig. 34.
Fig, 34 represents a small piece of the bark of an apple tree twig covered by larvae.
THE TENT CATERPILLAR — Clisiocampa Americana.
Fig. 35.
In Fig. 35 we have a representation of these caterpillars at a and b resting on a portion of
I /-eb; d is the cocoon which contains the insect in the chrysalis state, and c one of the egg
the
masses.
THE FOREST TENT CATEnviLLAR—CUsiocampa sylvatica.
Fig. 36.
J .: :, I )i]
M I;
134
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
T?vpr™i°*''^^^* '"'^r*' 'n.jt8 7°""° ^t^ge^' '8 very liable to the attacks of cut- worms.
te^rl^Tng^'^/XwranYdeS' """^*"''^' "'''' ''' '^^ ^^* '^'^ ^'^^^^ °"'' °^ «"^-« '•>«-
out o'nTv i'nfS? Tf^-^5 caterpillar that hides under rubbish in the day time, and comes
it during the ntght." " cabbage, pulls down the foliage, an<j feeds upon
For this pest Mr. Bethune suggests the following remedies. He says ;—
if AnnfV„?'^f''^f k' *k "^l^ '*''°"'?^ *'• "^ F'*""*^ *^** ^*^« ''«e" *="*' '^""8 up the insect and kill
Lnf whir. Lff '•'?, '^^I* remedies is to wrap a piece of stout paper around the ntem of the
plant when setting It out; place it a short distance below the surface of the ground, and a
short distance above, so as not to interfere with either the root or leaves of the plant, and it
Zlli T X ^""^"7 ^°"r R!"°*«°*'«" .^ga'^st the cut-worm. Sometimes soofc is put about the
f™^ v -n"!, f ^" J .u® ^'1**^1 ground sometimes ashes, and sometimes salt. If the paper is
useditwillbefoundthat.bythetime it becomes soft and useless, the plant is beyonS the
stage at which the worm is Ifiarmful. These cut worms attack vegetation of all kinds, and are
especially troublesome to young plants." '
The Harlequin Cabbage Bug (Strachia IIistnonica)—&ee Fig. 30~while a great
annoyance to gardeners in the States, is little known in Ontario.
INSECTS INJURIOUS TO FRUIT.
The insects injurious to fruit will be next noticed. They are as follows •—
Insects attacking the apple— the root plant louse, the striped borer, the Bunrestis
borer, the oyster-shell bark louse, the apple-tree plant louse, the tent caterpillar and
forest tent caterpillar, the tussock moth, the yellow-necked caterpillar, the red-
humped caterpillar, the faU web-worm, the canker-worm, the Cecropia emperor
caterpillar, the rascal leaf-crumpler, id the codling worm. The pear-tree slug is
the only insect referred to as especially infesting the pear tree.
The insects injurious to the plum are, the plum sphinx, the Polyphemus cater-
pillai-, the eye-spotted bud-moth, the oblique-banded leaf-roller, and the curculio
Ihe peach borer is the only one mentioned as selecting the peach for its attacks
Ihe insects named as injurious to the currant and gooseberry are the imported
saw-fly, the native saw-fly, the currant geometer, the spinous currant caterpillar
the four-striped plant bug, the gooseberry fruit worm, the imported currant borer
and the American currant borer.
Those attacking tlie raspberry are, the raspberry cane borer, and a small geo-
meter (Aplodes ruhivora).
Insects referred to as injurious to the strawberry are, the crown borer, the white
grub, and the strawberry false worm.
INSECTS INJURIOUS TO THE APPLE.
The root plant louse (see Fig. 31) aflfects the apple tree by laying its eggs on the
roots, the young lice hatch, and their punctures produce irritation and cause the
formation of galls, as shown in the illustration. The tree becomes unhealthy in
consequence. The only artificial remedy suggested, is to uncover the roots and
pour boiling water upon them, but this is clearly not a convenient operation
especially where the trees affected are numerous. A parasite is here our best friend'
The borers assail the trunk of the tree. The striped variety (see Fig. 32) is scarce
but the Buprestis is only too common. (See Fig. 33.) It is described by Mr'
Saunders as follows ; —
" The other borer, the Buprestis, is unfortunately very abundant throughout the Province.
The one species may be distinguished from the other by the difference in form, both in the
larval and perfect state._ The Buprestis beetle is much smaller than the other and of that
coppery metallic hue which Mr. Bethune has described as peculiar to the family of Buprestida;.
The larva of the striped borer is nearly cylindrical, with a large brown head and strong jaws,
while that of the Buprestis resembes a tadpole in form, the anterior segments of the body
being much enlarged, and the hinder ones correspondingly small. The habits of the two
species are very similar. The parent insects deposit their eggs on the Imrk of the tree, the
striped^borer generally about the collar, or base of the trunk, and the Buprestis sometimes
Uicre, uut someLimes ingiii;r up on the trunk, or even above the first branches. The eggs are
soon hatched, and the young larva; bore in as far as the sapwood, and live there until thev
grow large enough and strong enough to bore into the harder wood of the trunk "
INJURIOUS INSECTS.
IS of cut-worms,
t, of finding them
time, and comes
e, and feeds upon
says ; —
fie insect and kill
I the Htem of the
lie ground, and a
the plant, and it
; is put about the
If the paper is
it is beyond the
ill kinds, and are
—while a great
136
LARVA OF THE TUSSOCK MOTH—Orgyia leucostigma.
Fig. 37.
'phemus cater-
the curculio.
for its attacks,
the imported
nt caterpillar,
currant borer,
. a small geo-
rer, the white
CANKER WORMS.
Fig. 39.
ts eggs on the
md cause the
unhealthy in
;he roots and
nt operation,
ir best friend.
. 32) is scarce,
ibed by Mr.
Fig. 40.
Fig. 41.
Fig. 38 shows the larva and egg and Fig. 39 the moths, male and female, of vernata, the
spring form ; while Figs. 40 and 41 represent similar steges of the autumn insect.
136
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
As a remedy for this pest Mr. Saunders suggests the following :—
"Their presence may be detected by the smooth, somewhat shrivelled ajipearance of the
bark of the tree over the spot where thej^ are at work, or by the castings of the wood which
the larva throws out as it increases in size. If, on thrusting the point of a knife into the
collar or base of the tree, a c.tvity is found, that fact will indicate the iiresence of a larva,
which should at once bo searched out and destroyed. Another remedy, a preventive measure,
is the ai)plicati()n of an alkaline solution made by mixing a gallon of soft soap with about half
a gallon of water in wliich has been dissolved as much washing soda as it will take up. This
is applied to the trunk of the tree from the base upwards to the forks, and about the larger
branches. The liquid, which will be a'lout the consistence of paint, should be applied with
an ordinary paint brush on a fine day, when the heat of the sun will dry the solution readily,
and during the early part of June, before the time when the insects deposit their eggs. This
treatment will coat the tree with a sort of alkaline varnish not easily affected by rain, and
seems to exempt it from attack to a great extent. I have had some 5,000 trees under my care
for eight or nine years and I have rarely found a borer in any of them under this treatment.
" The BujM-estis deposits its eggs earlier in the season than the Saperda, but both lay them
during the month of Juno or July, and the solution should be applied during the first week in
June and repeated, if necessary from the wetness of the wealther, in the beginning of July.
Generally speaking, however, one application will be found sufficient."
The application, it is remarked, is also useful against Aphidse, and other insects
resorting to the tree as a hiding place.
The oyster-shell bark louse (Aspidwius concJiiformis) attacks the branches. (See
Fig. 34.) Its habits are described as follows by Mr. Saundej-g ;_
"The worst insect we have affecting the bark of thi ree is the oyster-shell bark louse
(Aspidiotus conrhiformisj, which is a very minute creature and a very troublesome one. The
form in which we generally detect it is in the shape of a small scale, somewhat resembling an
oyster shell, which, if lifted up in August or September, will disclose a large number of minute
eggs underneath. These eggs remain protected under this scale (hiring the winter, and early
in the following summer, as soon as the weather gets warm - sometimes in the latter part of
May, sometiu.es a few days later— the young are hatched out. They wait for a warm day
before leaving their shelter, and then they scatter themselves over the twigs of the tree, and
when they find a suitable spot they fix themselves upon the tender growing bark, insert their
beaks, and become permanently located, never moving afterwards. They go on sucking the
juices of the tree unitil towards the latter end of August or September, when they attain their
full size, and gradually form this scaly shell, within which the eggs are deposited, and the
female louse subsequently shrivels up and dies."
A strong alkaline solution applied ; > the bark i.s the most efficacious remedy.
The apple-tree plant louse {Aphis maU), "attacks the terminal growing shoots."
It is similar to the plant lice already described, and may be destroyed in the same
manner, by a strong solution of alkali or tobacco water. If once washed from the
twig the insects are helpless and consequently die.
The tent caterpillar (Clisiucampu americana) is familiar to all apple growers.
(See Fig. 35.) Its description, as given by Mr. Saunders, is as follows :—
"This insect is the progeny of a moth of a brownish colour, with lighter stripes, which
appears on the wing in the month of July, and deposits clusters of its eggs upon the small
twigs of trees, chiefly apple trees. A single cluster of these eggs will contain several hun-
dreds, and these are covered with a glutinous coating, which serves as a varnish to protect
the egg-mass from the action of the weather. In this state the eggs remain during the
winter, hatching out .in the following spring, just about the time when the buds burst on
the trees. The larvre at once begin to spin their web, in which they enclose themselves for
protection against the weather, and from which they issue at certain times in the day to feed
on the expanding foliage. As they increase in size they enlarge their web until it presents
the appearance sc familiar to every one, that of a large silken enclosure, containing, perhaps,
two or three hundred worms or larvae, from au inch to an inch and a half or three-quarters
in length. They have the peculiar habit of all going out together to feed at certain times in
the day. "
Its forest tree relative (Clisiocampa sylvatica)Sec Fig. 36— constructs a sort
of web on the side of the trunks or large branches of trees. Independent of the
natural means for the destruction of the tent caterjnllar, Mr. Saunders makes tlie
following suggestions on tliis point : —
"I would advise the ciittiug olF and destroying of the egg-clusters during the winter,
when they can be readily seen, and an inspection of the trees in the spring, to see that none
have escaped. In case any of the pests have survived till then, they will have begun to
IXJUIilOUS INSECTS.
137
larance of the
le wood wliich
{iiifo into the
ce of a Larva,
itive measure,
ith about half
fvke up. This
)ut the lart,'er
applied with
ution readily,
ir egg-(. This
I by rain, and
incier my care
lis treatment,
both lay them
) first week in
ning of July.
)ther insects
iches. (See
II bark louse
ne one. The
•esembling an
ber of minute
ter, and early
latter jjart of
a warm day
the tree, and
:, insert their
I sucking the
Y attain their
lited, and the
remedy,
ing shoots."
in the same
3d from the
le
growers.
bripes, which
on the small
several hun-
ih to ])rotect
1 during the
uds burst on
lemselves for
e day to feed
il it presents
ing, perhaps,
iree-quarters
bain times in
'ucts a sort
lent of the;
! makes tlie
to
s
the winter,
ee that none
ve begun to
10
138
ONTAEIO AGBICULTUEAL COMMISSION.
h'K
*.»
if
cpnstract their web, and can be easily removed by cutting off the twig on which they r«st, or
if high up on the tree, by a pole with a cloth twisted round the end of it. If pro|)er care is
exercised, this caterpillar need never be destructive in any orchard. But with the forest tent
caterpillar the case is very different. It feeds upon the leaves of so many different trees that
it has a much wider area in which to breed, and whenever it is abundant, it is enormously
80. In my own orchard, in which there are about .5,000 trees, I was obliged for two years to
keep two men constantly employed for five or six weeks each season in killing these cater-
pdlars, in order to preserve it from destruction. From the smaller trees the caterpillars may
be removed by jarring, but, being extremely active, they soon take up their position on the
tree again if not at once despatched. In thinking over the matter it occurred to me that as
each of the fleshy pro-legs of the caterpillar is furnished with a fringe of hooks, it would be a
difficult thing for it to crawl over a material like cotton batting, so I tied strips of that sub-
stance, some three or four inches wide, around the lower part of the trunks of the trees, tight
in the centre, so that the upper part of the strips would overhang the middle somewhat, and
watched the result. 1 f' ■ ,.■ *hat the lar.HB would crawl up the tree until they reached this
band, and then they w ' jund and round, until they app.arently became tired and
went down again. In a ' one of our local papers I mentioned the matter, and the
plan was extensively tried, ; \t seemed to work very well indeed, almost entirely preventing
the caterpillar from climbing up the trees. I consider this species, where abundant, as more
destructive to the apple than all other caterpillars put together."
Vigilance and the constant hunting of the pest, at any and every stage of its
existence, but particularly in the egg state, is the grand cure for the tent caterpillar.
"If anybody," says Mr. Beadle, "tells me his orchard is overrun with the
common tent caterpillar, I say it is his own fault."
Mr. Roy says on the same subject : —
"Two or three years ago the tent caterpillar did great mischief. The remedy against
trem is to go over the trees in winter, walk along on the crust of the snow and examine the
trees, and you will readily detect the rings of eggs. They should be taken off in the winter
and put in the fire. I have done so in my orchard invariably. Any man who does this will
keep his orchard free from caterpillars, that is, provided his neighbours do the same."
Whether the activity of orchardists in following up this pest, or the seasons
have reduced its numbers, certain it is that recently it has, in many places, all but
disappeared. Let no one, however, forget that when dealing with so prolific a
brood " eternal vigilance " is the price of immunity from its ravages.
The Tussock moth (Orgyia leucostigma), and its liandsome caterpillar, the latter
emerging from the egg clusters the moth has deposited glued to a dead leaf and
attached to a twig, the yellow-necked caterpillar (Datana m'mhira), and red humped
caterpillar (Notodonta concinna), bred from egg clusters on the twigs, the foliage of
which they afterwards destroy, and the fall web worm, which spins a web smaller
than but something like the tent caterpillar, must all be combated like the latter
by a careful search for the ;g clusters, or by destroying the larvae as soon as they
appear. (See Fig. 37.)
Of the canker-worm, Mr. Saunders says : — ■
^ "There are two species of canker-worms which, until late years, have been confounded
with each other. One species produces a moth late in autumn, and the other partly in
autumn, but chiefly in the following spring. There are perceptible differences in their larval
and moth characteristics which are sufficient to establish them as distinct, but as their habits
are precisely similar we can speak of the two species as one.
"After severe weather, when it might have been expected that almost all insect life
would be destroyed, especially anything so delicate in structure as these moths are, they may
be met with in the woods flying about in all directions. They seem, in fact, to require a great
amount of cold to fully develop them. The females of both species are without wings, the
male only possessing powers of flight. The female is very much like the female Orgvia, being
a spider-like creature, with six long legs, and a large body thickly clothed with scales. She
is very unattractive in appearance, while the male is a very beautiful insect indeed. After
copulation the female climbs up the tree, and deposits her eggs, usually on the twigs. The
larva are hatched out in the spring, and quite early in the summer attain their growth.
Their method of walking is by 'looping' their bodies, viz., by drawing the hinder feet close
to the fore feet, again extending the latter, and so on. They are prettily striped with yellow
and brown. After attaining its full growth— late in June, or early' in July— the insect
descends to the earth and forms a chrysalis which remains undeveloped until the advent of
the cold season, when the moth breaks through and escapes to perpetuate its species. This
insect has been very troublesome in many parts o the United States, attading not only the
'.
which they r^st, or
If projier care is
'ith tlie forest tent
lifferent trees that
i, it is enormously
(I for two years to
:illing these cater-
e caterpillars may
ir position on the
rred to me that as
loks, it would be a
strips of that sub-
of the trees, tight
ile somewhat, and
they reached this
)ecame tired and
B matter, and the
ntirely preventing
ibundant, as more
B remedy against
and examine the
1 off in the winter
dio does this will
lie same."
or the seasons
^ places, all but
;h so prolific a
3.
lillar, the latter
I dead leaf and
nd red humped
s, the foliage of
s a web smaller
I like the latter
as soon as they
been confounded
other partly in
!es in their larval
ut as their habits
3t all insect life
lis are, they may
to require a great
thout wings, the
ale Orgijia, being
I'ith scales. She
t indeed. After
the twigs. The
in their growth,
hinder feet close
iped with yellow
July— the insect
itil the advent of
ts species. This
ing not only the
INJURIOUS INSECTS.
CATERPILLAR OF CECROPIA ESfPEROB MOTH.
139
:3
Fig. 43.
COCOON OF CECROPIA.
Fig, 44.
THE CODLING WORM.
and (
l°.-f?^' ?^' f,^^^9 represent the moth with the wings closed and expanded, e the larva,
d a the chrysalis.
140
ONTAIilO AQRICULTUBAL COMMISSION.
ml
ii m
apple-tree but several varietioH of shade trees, particularly the elm." (See Figs. 38. 39. 40
As to remedies, Mr. Saunders says :—
inches wide and slopin.' .lownwlrrl, Vftn • ^"^ '^f" ^^y ""^ '*^""* *''« *''««- »''«"* ^'ree
mount themfa IsoE Le3r^^^^^^^ In ? an inverted funnel, bo that the insect could not sur-
the same en. h view Inrbv thes^meai^ '^^"''''^ ^'^^ *^''' ^"'''^ ^««" "^^'^ ^^''^^
serious damage. I Lve m?t had m h nn. f ^-^ ^V^' '""^'^"X instances, been saved from
has had anyeLct in rLhSnL^h^„L ' '"^A".'*-^"^ '^''«'h«'' *•'« En-lish sparrow
not." ^ reducing the number of these insects, but I am of opinion that it has
depSLtei!!lbT'^''\?"P^T.'"'^^^ ^I^P^'"^" d"""g the month of June and
a^i^i:^rij^--d.tiH
Fig. 43). Early in the autumn thiwvi »Y- -l'^ s'naller ones along the sides, are blue (see
in length, insidl of ?hfcf changes to a cC^i« ''''"/*'' '•^''?" ''V'^"-""' l'^^^"^''^ *hree inches
44), developing the n.oth the fSing seast.^SutThl l^uZ^Z^^^ '''"'''' ^^^^ ''''■
».j ,i.Ei., .t„t KB i,r;;2; s",* """■•''•'-■• ■"•»
IJie Oodhng Worm (Carpoeapsa porno nella), -see Fig 45-whicli mnVpc ,•+„
formed, the insect deposit" C eT^s^^the rn^er 'In^nf f^ " ^^Tf'' "' ^^"J.^* '^^f"''*^ ** i«
soon hatched into yonig larv!e, which .enEH ?„ f)L' ^^'^-^ H"'-!!"- 7^^«« ^^-'^'^ ^^-e
whenthefruitisabmithalf gnwn AtthatH^^^^ f- »™^''"/ ^'•">*' ''^"'1 'mature there
trees. These are br.,ughtdo^Vn from the effe^HflLn'''^ "" Kreat many apples fall from the
set up in the fruit by then li^s on ,,re,S^^^ Sni "'""^"^ ^^'^ ^''''^'"'- ^^^e irritati.m
tree. This half-gro^^^ fi^it i"",f course ?.tlpL "P^ness, and conse<iuent falling from the
to the ground sometin"e has IheL&Zl eSeclZnZ)T ^'''^'T' 'y*,*''" ^'^''* ^^ ''*« f'-'^ing
upon receives a greater prportion of the iulnL nf^l,! 7''"'''"!5hl°^ the crop, which there-
reaching full sizi before maturitv ThP Cvf .^ ^ '^i' '''"'' *t"'^ ^""^ "" ^"'"^^ ''^^"''e of
crawls down the tree lool ng f- r a sSlred tnot in whl r/"' '^' f"'* ^'^"'^ 'V''^^'' ^^'^
it falls to the earth with th" annle and in H,nf ^ -I ' **' nP'" '*^ ^^'^o""- Sometimes
treein.searchofapr..pe-hiding%lL?nwwS^^^^^ ''%''}'\^]'? trunk of the
of seeking for a si eltered place ^i^ which Jo \n«n M ?hrysahs. This habit the larva has
suggested^a very useful remSfylor"coSreL*Lf 1t™^^^^ ''''' '' ''' «^^^t"-«. l^-«
The remedy suggested is as follows :—
n .niiaU*hH?;.lT-*~?*:-'"^^^''?' f ^hl *'-™'^' " Y''^''^^ "^ «1<J °»"o'i «l"th, or «ven paper
aiid going inlrcfcll;=ifrtlSetS;,^dr^^
) Figs. 38, 39, 40
)ing up the trees
ree, anoiit three
-•t could not aur-
J been used with
been saved from
Knj,'lish H|)arrow
nion that it has
h of June and
iquent liistory
finally grow to
thicker. They
terior segments
e on the second
BS, are blue (see
tps three inches
vinter (see Fig.
INJUBIOUS INSECTS.
THE PEAR TREE SLUG— Selcmdriu cerasi.
141
Fig. 40,
Fi(i. 40 represents tliis slug at a full grown and also
leaf; b represents the perfect Hy fcrown, and also
in a younger state feeding on the
THE PLUM SPHINX AND CHRY.SALis-,Sf^/a,,a, drupifevavum.
Fig. 47.
Fig. 48.
thousand dol-
<on, about the
)st before it is
'hese eggs are
mature there
i^fall from the
L'he irritaticm
ling from the
i of its fivUing
which there-
ter chance of
e it falls, and
Sometimes
trunk of the
the larva has
xistence, has
.1 {,..^., , ,
y entering in
ere is a good
PLUM SPHINX MOTH.
Fig. 49.
142
ONTARIO AOlilCULTUHAL COMMISSION.
crop of fruit, and tied in the middle, I have found, as a rule, that there will bo an many or
even more larvio above the Htring than below, Mho win,' tliat a lar^'e proportion of them loavo
the fruit Ijufore it drojw and crawl down tlui tree. The iinect rt^main^^, durinj,' tlie Huminer
ino'jths, al)i)ut ton or twelve (layn or HoinBtimus a fortni^'ht in the chrysaliH state, and the
baiidajfeH oti^jht to be examined once a week ho us to make Hure that none escape. In
this .y a very largo number of pupsu may be collected, ami the trees i)re8ervod, in a
(^re meaiiure, from the visitation J u second brood, which otherwise would be shortly
hatched."
Tho insect, if albjwod to escape from its chrysalis state in the summer, pro-
duces a second brood, and this often so late in the fall as to remain in tlie fruit
when it ripens and is either pulled or falls from the tree. In either case the im-
mediate gathering up of all infested fruit, and its consignment to pigs or its disposal
in such a manner as to destroy the worms, is most important, but Mr. Saunders
inclines to the belief that, if tho plan he suggests were carefully adopted in every
instance, the worms would be so diminshed in numbers as to bo comparatively
harmless in the following season, and ultimately nearly got rid of. But, whore the
orchards of different persons are contiguous, common action is necessary, or any
one idle orchardist may re-stock his neighbours' trees, in spite of their precautions.
In shipping apples, the utmost care should bo taken to reject wormy fruit, as one
or two infested specimens may discredit the whole barrelful.
Mr. Beadle does not, in his evidence, say much for the vigilance of many of our
fruit growers in regard to the Codling Worm. He says : —
"Our orchardista have not yet learned a way of fighting the Codling moth. It is so small,
and does its work so secretly, that it is not found out until the apples are ruined. I don't
know of any one who has adopted a persistent coiuse to yet rid of it. There have been at-
tempts, to a limited extent, to trap the larvie by bandages. I am satisfied from experiments
by myself and others that they can be trapped by i)lacing bands of i)aper or woollen cloth
around the tree; into these the larvte will go to change to the chrysalis state. The bands
should be examined every week or ten days, I have been told that by placing shingles, fas-
tened together in pairs, so close that they almost touch each other about the tree, the insects
may be caught, as they will creep between them in search of a hiding-place. Some people
accomplish the same object by putting bits of rag at the foot of the tree on the ground. By
some or all of these means I believe their numbers could be greatly reduced, if there was a
combined effort by orchardists to do it."
Mr. Chai'les Arnold says of this pest : —
^ "The Codling worm is very destructive. Bands of paper or cotton batting or old cloth*
tied around tha trunks of the trees, and untied every week or so, are the best means of catching
the larvae and preventing the moths. Generally we take several thicknesses of p*tjer so as to
give them a good hiding place. If that remedy was generally adopted by fruit growers I am
satisfied the moth could be kept under. It is a blessing for us that some years we have no
apples, as then we are able to get rid of the moth. The bandages I have spoken of would need
to be examined every week during the summer. I know of no other remedy for them, though
I have heard of a great many."
Mr. Allan, of Goderich, who complains that the Codling Worm is becoming
more destructive every year, mentions that some of the orchardists in his district,
in addition to the rag cr paper bandage remedy, light fires under the trees at night
which attract the moths to their destruction.
INSECTS INJUEIOUS TO THE PEAR.
In the evidence now under review the pear-tree slug (Selandria cerasi) is tho
only one mentioned as particularly aff«"iting the pear. It also visits the cherry and
plum. It is described as a disgusting, slimy little creature, with the anterior seg-
ments enlarged, presenting an appearance something like a tadpole, and accom-
panied by an unpleasant odour. It destroys the leaves of the tree and thus impairs
the maturing of the fruit. Mr. Saunders says : —
"It is the progeny of a four-winged fly of a blackish colour, with transnarent. winery,
which IS abroad early in the summer. The insect spends the winter in the chrysalis atateln
the ground, and the flies emerge early in the season, laying their eggs on the pear, cherry, or
plum, which hatch out into the slugs. From what I have seen of the insect, I believe it to be
double-brooded, but I am not quite sure."
INJURIOUS IXSECTS. 148
TFIF. POT.YI'FIKMUS CATKUPlLLAn — Telca pol)/l>Iiftm.Uft.
POLYl'II K.Mrs MOTH.
:'if'^^^^
irfint winsrs,
sal is state in
r, cherry, or
lieve it to be
Fig. 51.
COCOON OF rOLYl'IlKMTTS MOTH.
FiL'. 52.
EYE-SPOTTED HUD MOTH-
Grapholitha oculana.
"K.r
'Si^.^M
^"y^r^
Fiy. 53- -Larva and perfect insect.
144
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
«oon rid tl»o tree of til!;"";irFi; 4r;^"' "^ "'''^"•' '^^'^'^'"' ^^'^'^ '' «>■""««' ^ii^
INSEI.'TH IN.IURIOtrM TO THK PLITM.
SphI!x^fei^Z,"^^^^^^^^^^ «^ *»^-« - tho list isthoPlum
•»"tli« is given. ItVXicn'bodlS^^^ ''''' ropresentation with ono of its
.H corresp„,uli„Kly thick. 'Ihis , r, "e T ylv^h^^l^Jn^r.^'U ^'"■"" '!'."' ** '>'/ ""'•*"»^' '*"•'
Hyii.K' lusfct. a..,l han a flight H...,ewhat„indlart..^^^^T^^^ •"""'. V'''"''' '"^ " "W'*"
egK« ah„nt the month of June and thriarv,. „ff . -J . hi'mmuig l.ir.l. It dopositH its
when it ,le..cen,Is from the tree enters t^^ 'V" ""'t-'nty about tlu- e„,l of autumn'
it renmins until the followinrHeailm." *(See S 7\t:Xj }" '^ '^•"■^"^"^' "' ^^''''''»' ^""n
emperor moths. ii-uuisomoat insects and also tlio progeny of one of the
yelirw^c,riour?a'mlTv^Th\t l"?i:t:\.;^^ ""'f T " "?"'« ^^nnd, of a greenish
covered with tubercles which h^Smersf Si BniL' ',';[.''j:/;i "'f'- lY"'' '*^'»i"''"^« ■"•«
H very mm\M to that of the Hnhinx which I liav^ LT i:""=eedin- fn.m them. Its hi.story
ing a chrysalis under ground^ spira cocori, ill .f"f!:'"'''- .;?"''?''' ^"""''■''' "^ ^"^^
winch it is feeding, which it .h-aws together ad wthit^^^^^*^''^ 'f ' "^ *^« *'^« "»
state. This cocoon being attached to the f.Zle f „ h L '"[" ' V""f^-^ ,*" *'i« P"P»
S:;r^c£=tJ^r£5:^f ^""-^- "-^^
-Be?Ft"f3-rtrn;t:it^^^^ ^f thP«**^' Bud-moth/(^n„Mo^Y/,a ocn^«,.a;,
well as the vl-rn:ZZfoU^^LMU2l2t 7^^^' ^" *''" '^r-^'^^' ^« '
Figs. 54 and 55-aIso somewhaT ^romisctustn Us dTef^^^^^^^
for|if:t;p-XK*?e£;^i^^1J^ e^^^us^^ownmeans
insecttSira^effroTrit: chr^fsTuSg^^Lte'^^^f ^ '''''' *^"*^^ ^'^^ P^^-'
be found under the bark hibernating iSeSer A^t.nn''"*^^'"""*'''^ i*"*^ *h«" '"^y
curculios may be found in abundance UDonthImw..{f^ f ".^ the trees are in blossom the
the young fruit. Before the bCsoms have fairiv ef Z trJ^tu^'!*' «'gn8 of development in
this watchful pest, which at once begLs to deTosh ei, n it Th!.*'"^ "^ '^i* i« detected bv
grubs, which penetrate into the fruit caush rrwff '" i *' ^^T "^ r""^ ^ ^^^'^'^ '"*" «'»»»
ought to be begun early in the year whde/bA tl/a ^ premature falling. The jarring
proportion of the curculios mav be pAi I i!l \ f tf '^'^« '" ''l"«''<>m. and in this way a large
much stress cannot b7la d ^^^e rSm^S^^^^^ '^^ ?»y ""«^l"ef ; in fact, too
in the season. ^ recommendation to begin the jarring process quite early
in brxis^reSwiS'llKl^^^^^ and by enclosing specimens
eggs notwithstanding the darkne8;Theva^^^^ ^ lu' ^f ^^ ^""."^ them to deposit
as active at night. *heir periods of inSvltv K L k""^ *^' ''^y- ''"^, «^«'^ *" ^e almost
the morning or early in the evening. I do n ft'kLw •wbXf';^' '"f" t'V^^^^«"* *'« cool of
the entire season, but presume that if fhatalfi whether they keep hard at work during
a portion of the day orn£hT I consider Ihe ^nrXT '"^' ^''"^ .woulcT remain torpid durinf
keep the insect in cLck, when faitMulIy follo,^ed"'^ "" "^ "^"'^^ '"*"'"* ^' ^ '^'n^'^y tS
The jarring process is thus described by Mr. Beadle :—
"The simplest contrivanru v'b'Vb T f.„,.i-1 -, - , .' -
body, i, .„ se. . ,.„ ,„<,-.„-,- c.;.,i dothtrtrsu"^;! ii£,To"iJEi'„i%x:'i irz
it is tlio Plum
itii ono of its
mJnent horn at
•ilf iiicheH, and
it;h in a niKlit-
It (lopositH itH
11(1 (if aiituiiiii,
ill which form
lown means
INJURIOUS INSECTS.
14ft
ma roHciceaiia.
i^'ig. 64.
^/iJ Av^
Fiif. 50.
Fiy. 56, c represents tJie beetle, a the - . ^nd
6thochry«aUH(all nuvKnified); d, curculio (natural
Hize) at work on iv youni,' plum.
Fig. 55.
THE PEACH BORER--^</c,.ia exitiosa.
Fig. 57.
Ti Firi. 57, 1 shows the female insect, and )? the male.
THF, SAW FLY— Nematua
ventricosi'.s.
EGGS OF THE SAW FLY.
Fig. 58.
In Fiff. 58 we have represented both
male and female flies— a the male, 6 the
female.
Fig. 69.
ONTARIO AGRICULTUBAL COMMISSION.
ti«?/n J^i tl!r»'"^*^- f^*!?^*" "^ *\°'^ !l!^^^? "^""^•^ ^« ^^^^ «° tJ^^ g'^»»<i at the foot of the
J^^ll f }^ 'T**" °mi'^ y®*"" ^hen the blossoms have fallen and the fniit is beginning to
??r.w!'"°'VK^-^ °u'y^-^ u^^i^ ''«° «^""^^ »'? suddenly jarred, and the insects will drop upon
not flv tLn W { 7h -iiT^ 7tU ?»"»"»» before the heat of the day, as the creatures do
your end ™ ^^ ^^ """^ °° '^'"^' ""'^ ^^^ "^'^ "*"* accomplish
=,v.oi'i' r '^^K® r® f'^" ^*y? ?^ jarring the trees so as not to injure the trunk ; either saw off a
end of i-w . «^ °"® '"°^u° diameter leaving the Stump a i^yr inches long, and strike on the
fw f . • ' y°" "^o? \'°'"® *."™*" ^°^« ^'^^ * b'*' "'sert a round rod of iron, and leave it
Sr.^nf *f'^^ "^''"/u ® -^^^'"^ *^? *'■«? ^'" "''*, '^""^ *he insects down, as they seem to think
thpm Wh ff ^^ 7k*^^ wind swaymg the tree ; but suadenly jarring the tree seems to impress
a dr^ r, rlM t^ r^^ curl their feet up and drop immediately to the ground. They look like
L JmnHil 1„f ^ ''"I'^f "P; ^^^ l^^t* ^^V ,''« *=*^"«'^ ^y *1^« «1^*«- and the insects should
youMeisure * " "^ ^*^ ^*°'^" ^°'' ^^'^ ^^^^ destroy them at
tl,of",^^'^ process should be continued at least once a day until you find the numbers so reduced
thr«/wll? ' T ^ '^ t'.K-^? ^?l ^^"^ °'" *^''^? ''^y?- ^* ^« "^'^al to continue the operation about
mZr^^l^Lf ?/°nt t'j'nk that even m that time the plum has arrived at such a state of
matunty that it can defy the curculio, but the object of the insect is to lay the eggs, and of
course the season for laying the eggs is past in that time."
Placing under the trees chips in which the eurculios may take refuge only to be
captured ; paving the ground around the trees, so that the curculios, wlien they fall
with the fruit, may have no hiding place, and be forced to wander about until
destroyed; burning coal tar under the trees ; gathering up the fallen fruit and
destroying It with its occupant ; enticing the curculios into bottles filled with some
sweet liquid, and placing elder branches in the trees, may all have some value, but
systematic jarring is the best and by far the most effectual remedy.
In Essex, however, Mr. Dougall and others claim to have effectually protected
their plum-orchards from the curculio by keeping chickens. Mr. Dougall says :—
...o i" '■"»« ^'^'•*^ulio is easily avoided by keeping plenty of hens and chickens. My plum trees
are loaded down with fruit, and there is not the sting of a curculio to be seen, whUe just out-
tlr,.^" o™7tT "ir'"^^ every plum has been stung. I planted my trees about ten feet
ti^^ V 1 A^ ^"1^ ^^"°®^ ^"^ *,^** th^ ^°^l8 <'a"n°t get through. There should be enough
lowls to keep down the grass and weeds, otherwise the curculios would escape. In my plum
orchard there is no grass or weeds at all ; in fact, I have to cut grass for my fowls, and I have
more plums on my trees than they can bear withotit support. Shaking the trees is a very
good plan, but I gave it up after a number of years' experience. My man has shaken the
trees every iriorning for three weeks, and then there came three days of constant rainy weather,
^ritlT- ' ^^^ I'^i' were aU stung with curculio. I find that keeping fowls is a perfect
protection against the insect. I have a few plum trees in my nursery, but I cannot get a plum
ott them, because there are no fowls there. In our part of the country we can always get a
vnnr ^Jl^L ^Ta^ chickeus in the Detroit market. If you have only a few plum trees in
your garden, and do not want the chickens to run at large, you could put a coop of young
chickens under the trees and they will devour the insects." ^ ^
The disgustedcondition of the Huron plum growers, leading to the almost entire
neglect of their plum crop, has been referred to in another chapter. With an inex-
haustible dernand for eggs, and a very good market for chickens, it might be well if
they would dissolve a partnership with the- curculio that has proved so disastrous,
and, doing their own fair share of jarring, take a few Dorkings, Light Brahmas.
or Plymouth Rocks into their confidence. o , e> ,
The parasitical allies of the fruit grower in this connection have yet to be
mentioned. ■'
INSECTS INJX7KIO0S TO THE PEACH.
The peach appears to have only one special enemy, the Peach Borer (JEqeria
exitioaa),—sQe Fig. 57— described as follows :—
hndv ^inS!5°o«^^''?f''-" a ^a«P-"ke insect, with transparent wings, and a richly ornamented
body, banded and striped with gold, which deposits its eggs about the base of the trunk.
Ihe eggs hatch out, and the larvae bore into the sapwood, and cause an exudation of gummy
matter which appears in masses about the base of the tree. The larvae seem partly to live in
this Crummv Sllhstfttion anH narfl.r in (-he .>""."^"-4 «f fl,~ 4.— cc ^- .^f ^ "y ^""' »"
*r.i,« J -^« «.W'» c„™^ t" ''• — 'n"" -•"; •••'I- "•"•■•• "i i-Hc vice, oumeuiims turcc or lour are
found on the same tree, occasionally girdling and destroying it, but always inducing more or
S dettractite ins°°t'" *''^' '"^Pairing '•-;?, vigour. Altogether it is a very objectionable
INJOBIOUS INSECTS.
147
t the foot of the
t is beginning to
1 will drop upon
the creatures do
not accomplish
either saw off a
nd strike on the
ron, and leave it
sy seem to think
leems to impress
They look like
le insects should
destroy them at
nbers so reduced
operation about
such a state of
the eggs, and of
ally protected
)ugall says : —
My plum trees
while just out-
about ten feet
ould be enough
!. In my plum
wis, and I have
trees is a very
fias shaken the
rainy weather,
fh is a perfect
inot get a plum
m. always get a
V plum trees in
coop of young
almost entire
A'^ith an inex-
ght be well if
}o disastrous,
;ht Brahmas,
LARVA OF SAW FLY — NEARLY
FULL GROWN — FEEDING.
Fig. GO,
GOOSEBERRY FRUIT WORM —
Penijpelia gros^ulario.
CURRANT GEOMETER, OR MEASURING
WORM — Ellojna riheaHa.
Fig. 61.
THE IMPORTED CURRANT BORER-
Aegeria tipuliformis.
Fig. 62— Moth and Cocoon and Larva.
Fig. 63.
ly ornamented
of the trunk,
tion of gummy
artly to live in
rec or four are
lucing more or
■ objectionable
THE AMERICAN CURRANT BORER — Psenoscerus supemotatus.
. Fig. 64.
1 1
.148
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
larva and destrorit B?S'Z^^^^^^^ *" ''»* «-'" away, trace out the
been suggested tLt baSnTup fc treL with eaTtY^.IHP''''""^, '"-^^ "^^ «*"PP^'l- I* bSs
their eggs, and the method is v.-'vstronLHvrl^ would prevent the insects from depositing
rule those who look after the ,• peacftiePM^oWwT^"'*''^.^^ *\°«^ ^h« have tried it^ As a
IS easily discovered by this gu mmv exucKH .n fn J have not niuch trouble with the borer. It
18 looked after at the proper "S.'^' ^ ''^^ ^^ ^^''^^ ^^^^"^ «"' and destroyed if it
INSECTS INJURIOUS TO SMALL FKUITS.
fly (SZ'Sur^UHj^::J^^^^^^ ^^^ r^"- f-Its, the imported Saw-
to the currarxt and goosebery AJnl^lt^ ^^~'^ "''" °^ *^« ""^'^ troublesome
spread thence to Cafada. ifis JesSeTasSw^- '^^ ^" ""'^ ^^^^ ^'^'^ -'^
. fly. bu?JuSeVS LVSgs*"ST;3lt? ^"^""^ ^'^^ «'^^ "^ *^^ -^--y house
and as the young foliage is expandin-^ dencfsTts S 1^^ appearance very early in the season,
berry ,n regular rows on the under sTde ^^' "'""""^ ''^°"= *he leavea oi the goose-
daysthL'l^hltd!oTt^^Ulfg'rX^X^^^^^^^ Inafew
the leaves up you will find tb ■ youn" coToi v of ^^rfj ,! * ^°^®^ '" *he leaves. On turning
destroy the whole brood by pi.kC two S,°Voffh„ f '^ numerous, and you can sometime!
If not checked at that time they soon scatter ovpp St^fT ^H *''a«»P""g them under foot,
peanng with great rapidity, first from the lower nnrftfn V'A' T*^/"" ^'^'^ ^^^ ^^I'^ge disap-
until m a very brief space the Xle^f the f oliaL?e of th«t *\^ ''"'''' ^'J'^ ^.'""'^ "^^at iipwards,
be destroyed, leaving the branch/es b^re » ^ ^"'^' "" ""'^''^y *he whole of it, may
posed torve"^:rr[haft,^Xoo5^ '^ ^t L'^nl^f tfT^*"]' -^ it i. sometimes sup-
different periods, so that you can almo.t U «n^ f ^ doub e-brooded, the broods appear at
bushes in different stages^of development You wrfffTl'^' ^}' ''^^°^ ^"^ ^^"-^^ »" the
early part of the season, devourinj^^the f,,"!, Jp L = ^^ ■!'^- ^''P® ™^'^* abundant in the
when full grown, going to the surface of thf.r ?" ^S '* ih thoroughly developed, and!
W^U._^ha.aote«. and r=VS'SS;»^^^
There is something very rS In its co wfA,K " ^^^- iT^'^ little, effect on the geometer,
this poison, and it ?equiL?rbeuse(^^''Xi^^^^^^ ^^'f^ "^"^^^^^ '* *« "-«««* the action of
prove effectual. I have found that P^ktrf.nt ^'^l^'^' ^"'^ J^^" *hen it will not always
to use this poison after the Fruit is formid ^tL- '""^.'^ ""'^ effectual, but it is undesirable
are sprinkled with a solut^n of PaSs Trln Shi f 1 ^^^'^"' T'7 ^""'^Z' ^"^ '^ the bushes
thmk there is no danger attending its use SHU if V. i^ T'"^' Y"'^ *he fruit is formed, I
strength, will answer^ll the purLse I should nrlfil^^f^'p''"^ '™*^''' ''f^'^ °^ additional
habit of dropping from the bu h?s when thev aJe sf rnnt *" ^''"' ^'^^^- T^'' '"•''«''* has a
S:fc^dt-s:v^^^^^^
hurSu^^tTy,?nTtt?S^^^^^ but not often very
the leaves and so stunts the Vro?th oftSl v."^ Z^""^''*' ^''^''"'''^' ^^'''^ punctures
attack, the interi„7„f tL"t*bSry^SrdrS~''-"° ^'^^ «^-"'"*
Ihe parent is a small narrow-winr,»ri . — ,. ^.xj. ■.-, ,
the ti.e the .ooX... -S^™ f |ISi 5^;^^^^^^^.'^,?^^^^^^
INJURIOUS INSECTS.
149
GREEN (raspberry) JJLOTR—A2)lode8 ruUvora.
rdinary house
n the season,
! oi' the goose-
ce. In a few
On turning:
an sometimes
m under foot,
foliage disap-
hat upwards,
)le of it, may
Fig. 65.
In Fiff. 65 we have the curious larva of this insect shown feeding on the fruit ; 6 repre-
sents the side of one of the rings or segments of the caterpillar's body much magnified : c the
moth of a natural size, and d one pair of the wings magnified.
COMMON MAY BEETLE.
THE PHYLLOXERA — PhylloXCra
vastatrix.
Fig. 66.
.".-'^'fl': P^' ^ represent? tlie lariEB, 1 the chrysalis,
raa J iiud 4 the mature insect.
Fig. 67— Grape Vine Leaf attacked by Phylloxera.
150
ONTARIO AQRIOULTUBAL COMMISSION.
and there on the fruit. The egg hatches, and the young larva eats its way into the fruit, and
lives m the interior portion of the gooseberry, and in a very short time the berry it feeila upon
becomes discoloured, and havinc nnrfciallv (^nnnnirinH if fha inaanf. i-a^TLxa fr. onr.«'k<>. „^A «n»11..
becomes discoloured, and having partially consumed it, the insect takes to another, and finally
with silken webs, a cluster of three or four berries, living in one as a sort
it draws together, with „„..^„ „„„„, „ ^,...o„oi „. u.i.co «. luu. ..
of home, from which it issues to feed on the berries about it. Wheii it attains a growth of
about three-quarters of an inch, it descends to the ground, enters into the chrysalis state, and
remains there until the following spring, when the moth issues to enter upon its destructive
mission. There is only one brood of this insect during the year, but it is getting very destruc-
tive, sometimes destroying as much as twenty-five or thirty per cent, of the gooseberry crop
in some sections."
Of artificial remedies for the fruit worm, Mr. Saunders says : —
" By jarring the lushes you can collect this larva in the same way as you can the goose-
berry geometer. It .ops to the ground, retaining its hold on the bush by means of a* silken
thread, by which it climbs up acain when the danger is past. By drawing the threads to-
gether with a stick, you can sometimes readily collect a number of specimens of the larva. I
have found that by sprinkling the bushes with air-slacked lime, about the time that the moths
appear, they can be kept almost entirely free from the attacks of this insect. "Where the lime
is used the eggs do not seem to be deposited on the berries, as insects have a great aversion to
this substance. But such a remedy does not destroy the insect ; it only drives it somewhere
else."
Two species of currant borer, the Imported and the American, are next on the
list, and described as follows ; —
" The imported currant borer {JEgeria tipuliformia) is a small wasp-like moth, with trans-
parent wings, and a body banded with gold. It flies about very actively, in the middle of the
day, when the sun is shining brightly. After pairing, the female deposits her eggs upon the
twigs, generally one at the base of the bud ; when this is hatched, the young grub bores into
the bark of the stem at the centre, and works up and down, devouring the substance of the
stem, and finally when it attains its full growth, eating a hole almost entirely through the
currant stem, leaving only about the thickness of tissue paper of the bark unbroken ; and
inside of this opening it forms a chrysalis, with the head of the chrysalis pointing to the thin
layer of the bark. When the chrysalis is about to change, it has only to breakjthrough the
thin layer of bark and escape. (See Fig. 63.)
"The other species, the American currant borer (Pscnocerus si/j9wno<a«Ma),|has' similar
habits, although it belongs to an entirely different family— the family of long-horned bettles.
It deposits its eggs in the same manner as the ^^geria ; the larva go through all their changes
within the stem of the bush, and finally emerge in the perfect bettle form by eating their way
through the stem. The remedy for these two pests is to remove, at the end of the season and
during the winter, all those stems which manifest any symptom of being injured, and burn
them. In that way you destroy the chrysalids, and thus lessen the danger of their increase."
(See Fig. 64. )
A Raspberry Cane Borer (Oberea tripuncta) is described as a ** cylindrical beetle
about five-eighths of an inch in length, of a dark colour, and with a pale yellowish
thorax, with three spots on the thorax, and with long horns."
Its operations are thus noticed : —
" When attacking the raspberry it selects the tip of the growing cane, and biting with its.
jaws, makes a series of punctures around the young growth, giving it the appearance of hav-
ing a ring around it. Then beginning above, it makes a second ring about an inch from the
first, and between these two rings it deposits an egg in the substance of the cane. The result
is tluit the tip of the cane withers in a few days. The object in thus biting the cane is sup-
posed to be M lessen the flow of sap towards the parts, as the sap might possibly injure the
egg embedded in the substance of the cane. The egg hatches, and the larva as soon as
hatched pioceeds to eat down into the centre of the cane, and spends its larval period in con-
suming the interior, completing its transformation within the cane— changing to a chrysalis—
and finally the next spring eating its way out of the cane, a perfect beetle."
The pest may be prevented from increasing, by promptly breaking off the cane
down to the second ring made by the insect.
The Tree Cricket is another enemy of the raspberry, as well as of the grape-
vine, in connection with which it is noticed.
A green Saw-fly, too, is troublesome (Selandria ruhi). Of this insect Mr.
Saunders says : —
iiicic lo n gree!! r^iv-rr-tij, f.^!«rn,! ; tt! T tiv!, Trnn,!! atLacKs 121C raspcjorry, ana is a very
troublesome insect. When full grown it is about three-quarters of an inch long, and is
covered with small hair-like spines, arising from small green tuliercles. It is the progeny of
INJURIOUS INSECTS.
161
o the fruit, and
ry it feeda upon
her, and finally
in one an a sort
ins a growth of
'salis state, and
its destructive
ig very destruc-
fooseberry crop
next on the
bh, with trans-
3 middle of the
eggs upon the
;rub bores into
bstance of the
ly through the
nbroken ; and
ig to the thin
,k|through,the
a),|has' similar
lorned battles.
1 their changes
ting their way
^he season and
ired, and burn
heir increase."
idrical beetle
Ae yellowish
biting with its.
trance of hav-
nch from the
3. The result
) cane is sup-
bly injure the
va as soon as
period in con-
) a chrysalis —
THE PHYLLOXERA — Phylloxera vastatrix.
Fig. 68.
Fig. G8.— Showing the insect in its diflferent stages of growth ; also a diseased vine root.
na IB a very
long, and is
le progeny of
162
ONTAEIO AORICULTURAL COMMISSION.
srnS; iSu^rrK^^awIrr^^^^^^ «™"- *<> the gooseberry saw-fly but
leaf, and thus skeletonizes it TtVT^ .u ^"''jtance, av-iding the veins or ribs of fho
SaundL^tta' :- '""^ "^ '^" ^" '^"-^-' -^ are briefly described by Mr.
Ur^^ZrZlS'^ ItSetta^'^^ltlltoTh'^fiy-V. ?"« ^' ^'^-'^ ^ ^^e Crown Borer
H^!'!^^''^^:. '^^''' ^»>«» hatcLd, produL" a Ia7vatv'l^°''*f '^' '^^ "" the croSn of
tions through the crown of the plant an ?1 i« ! \ 7f- ^^ich eats its way in various direo
less. In past seasons, Mr. Luke fiTshoD near Sf' tk* *™® '° ^"J"''^^ '* that it TsTmost use
have both suffered from it very seriS'v Tf ^'a T^'-'""^: *»^ ^r. Ohas. Arnold, of Paris
come very widelv disseminate^and Tf U esabliXl?TSr'*'^ ''°*''^»' because tmfy be-'
centres, it would become a very serious ev I ^j^r, / '*?f^^ '" ^^^ «* the large strawbemr
been suggested as a remedy, but I verv mm-h nnKf 'Tlt^'"°'>^ the strawberry vfneshZ
will be effectual other than digging up the affected vil'^^^*'',^? ^^ ?*° ^^^ ^^Y remedy whS
, "The larva of our common Mav l.oli ^ ^ ^^f^ ^^'^ burning them. ^
of 'thri^Ln^"*^?-' gra™anfemrSVa^ vTrTptSt/tlie ^f^^ *> ^^'^ ^^ '^^^^ -
oi these insects will work great destmnHr^n ,•„ J«'y partial to the strawberry roots A '<»«r
reason for it until you diglSe ground a"^ And Th^^^^^^^^^ ' ' V' ^^'f ' ^'^^'^^ and you tee „^
other plants as well as the strawberrv and «nm»f;^ ^"i"" ^} ^°''^- ^t frequently attacks
eat almost anything in the way of a r^Jt or tn W ^^ti!**' the tubers of thr potato It will
beetTe'l'/ ^'''"""f ^ ^ great'deal oTfood ^7'y7tr'^Z tfl 1 ^ff ' ^^ "'^^ ^P^'^i'^ "
beetle, and congregates on the leaves of the che^v !nri Jh I ^^''^^''t state it is a leaf-eating
IS torpid and if the trees are then well Een th^P Zl? T n'"^'' .''"t during the day-time it
be collected and destroyed. We have neve" had^thin' ^''" *° ^^^ ^^^'^'l' ^hen thei?^^a„
obliged to resort to any means of this sort Th.r« 1° excessively abundant as to be
insects, leaf rollers, which attack the strawber^n ""'^ ^'^'^ "'^ three small lipidopterous
frayaria. It is a beautiful little insect but i/fL ^"'v'' T^''^ common- the aZTZTu
-the leaves and folding them feeds on thpfrLK^*""®^ ?"'t^ destructive. It gatherTtoLether
Mse of a little hellebore and water «"bstance. it can easily be kept in check ^th the
tt^aV'^Vfr^'^T
sa:f^fc--rwi^ir:H£r^
..der the strawberry less troubled w^TSt^Ts^^ViL^t;^^^^^^
INSECTS INJURIOUS TO THE GRAPE
has detected the Phylloxera on his vines He «!« ' '*''*' ^''""*« *^^^* ^^^^
injured'^slethLTearly t't"fe f"fl buTtj" -"^ \ ^^'"'^ '« *he phylloxera. The roots are
The young roots loof as if the outer s'kLlt X'atenTff '%T'^" *^^* ^ cannot catch hem
out what the insect was by sending sampleTof /h™f ^^ ^ ^'^"^ "^^^'^ endeavoured to fi^d
Clous of It before, but I shall do s^o tW^Sl °*T t '^P'"*^' ^^'^*"«« ^ ^'^^ not susS
StStese^cl^M— attarttro^L'dTi ^^w^f^adl^H!
phy?t7a:tLltrel?;l'^^^^^^^^^ - ^-se he speaks of is due to the
INJURIOUS INSECTS.
163
iberry saw-fly, but
body, by means of
', and places its egg
lich makes its exit
eins or ribs of the
leaf that it is very
:an see the effect of
■e."
ed in its perfect
't very severely.
escribed by Mr.
the Crown Borer
on the crown of
y ip various direc-
*t it is almost use-
Arnold, of Paris,
)ecause it may be-
i large strawberry
wberry vines has
my remedy which
66.) It feeds on
ry roots. A lew
!r, and you see no
•equeutly attacks
~ potato. It will
nd one specimen
it is a leaf-eating
g the day-time it
1) when they can
undant as to be
all lipidopterous
the Anchylopera
gathers together
n check with the
Mculatus — which
urity about that
ase of hellebore,
iry much like a
1 I merely men-
the whole I con-
i cultivate."
THE OEEEN VINE SPHINX-
Choerocampa pampinatrix.
THE WOOD NYMPHS —
Eudryaa grata and Eudryas
unio.
Fig. 70.
Fig. Q'X
Fig. 71.
THE LARV^ AND EGGS OF EUDRYAS UNIO.
Fig. 72.
le Phylloxera,
ne mischief to
veij injurious
isserts that he
The roots are
lot catch them,
lavoured to find
was not suspi-
accounts of the
arison leads me
I under glass is
all when I sns-
is due to the
THE GRAPE VINE LEAF BOLLER—Desmia ViaCuMis.
11
T- rro ^ Fig. 73.
1' ig. 7.i, shows both moth and caterpillar of this
species.
154
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
m
Mr. Beadle speaks of it as follows : —
_ " Unfortunately in Europe they have imported an American insect that iu laying waHte the
vineyards there with terrible destruction— the grape louse or phylloxera. It is believed by
naturalists that it has two forms, one feeding on the leaves and the other on the roots. I have
seen the leaf form on my own grounds but not for several years, In some parts of the United
States this insect has been prevalent and vinevards have suffered from them. In some parts of
California it has been a serious detriment. There are some varieties of our native grapes which
are thought to be proof against it. When I say that it has two forms, I mean that it attacks
the leaves and the roots at different stages of its growth. . . I don't think the injury to the
vine is serious so far as they effect the leaf, it is only when they attack the root that the vine-
yard is destroyed. We do not suffer to any appreciable extent in Canada from the insect
which I spoke of as having been imported into Europe from America, but I believe they do in
some parts of California."
A very excellent illustration of the insect in its various stages of existence, and
of specimens of its handiwork, are shown in the accompanying plate. (See Figs.
67 and 68.)
Mr. Bethune speaks of it as follows : —
"The PhyVoxcra vastatrix, which has proved so destructive to the vineyards of France,
belongs to the same tribe as the plant lice. There are two varieties, one 'gull-inhabiting,'
that is making excrescences upon the leaves of the vine, the other attacking the root.
" At first these were thought to be separate species altogether, entirely different as they
are in habits, and differing also in appearance, but Prof. Riley demonstrated, what had beeii
suspected by some French entomologists, viz., that they were merely two forms of the saim-
creature, and that the insect had two different modes of life. It has lieen enormously destrm'-
tive in France, and has done considerable damage in some parts of the United States, but no
injury r.f any account has been traceable to it in Canada.
"The gall-inhabiting variety is common enough here, but this form of the insect is com-
paratively harmless. One peculiarity of this variety is, that they are all females, while those
which attack the roots are both wingless females and winged males and females.
"The males appear in August or September for the purpose of propagating the species.
In the following year the insects attack the soft fibrous roots of the plant, causing them to
swell and gradually rot away. The plague was at first supposed to be a rot on this account.
The insects of course extract from the roots the juices which should go to the nutriment of the
plant, thus giving the leaves a sickly appearance, which is usually the first indication of the
presence of the pest.
"When the work of destruction is pretty nearly finished, during the last years of the
plant's life, the insects entirely disappear, and it was for this reason that it was so long before
the insect was discovered.
"The only efficient remedy against the root form is drenching with water. In Europe,
the vineyards are mostly situated on hillsides, so that there is great difficulty in applying this
remedy. On level plains, however, a mode of irrigation on a large scale has' been introduced.
Water is let into the vinevards during the autumn and winter months, and let away in the
spring, no permanent injury being done the plants. The simplest remedy for the gall-inhabit-
ing form is to pick the leaves off and burn them.
"The gall form attacks the Delaware and Clinton grapes, and the root form the Delaware,
Hartford, Isabella, and Creveling. The Concord is attacked, though very slightly, by both
forms. Our climate is too moist for the comfortable existence of the root form, and even if
the grape should come to be much more extensively cultivated in this country than t present,
I think our climate would grant us immunity from this pest. "
The Green Grape Vine Sphinx, CJmrocampa pampinatrix, is a large green cater-
pillar, striped at the sides with whitish stripes, and has a horn at its tail. If unin-
terrupted it will completely strip the vine of its leaves. Its presence is easily
detected. Hand picking is the simplest artificial remedy. (See Fig. 69.)
Two small moths, one called the Beautiful Wood Nymph (Eudryas grata), and
the other the Pearl Wood Nymph (Eudryas unio), also attack the grape vine foli-
age as well as that of the Virginia creeper, although they prefer the grape. (Sec
Figs. 70 and 71.) Mr. Saunders describes them as follows : —
"In both the ground colour is creamy white, and the rest a rich brown shading. They
are active only at night. During the day-time they rest on the grape vine foliage, and are
often found with their wings closed, sloping like the roof of a house, and their fore leys
extended and tufted with large tufts of hair, presenting a very peculiar appearance for a
lepidopterous insect. In this wav they rest, not unlike .». p.itoh of thn droppir.ga of liirds, and
on this account seem to obtain that exemption from foes which is desirable for their preser-
vation."
INJUItlOUS INSECTS.
166
t !a laying waHte the
1. It i8 believed by
m the roots. I have
I parts of the Uniteil
n. In some parts of
native grapes which
mean that it attacks
,nk the injury to the
9 root that tJie vine-
ida from the insect
I believe they do in
ineyards of France,
le 'gull-inhabiting,'
ig the root,
jiy different as they
ited, what had beeii
3 forms of the sanu-
enormously destrm'-
iiited States, but ud
f the insect is com-
emales, while those
males.
igating the species,
nt, causini^ them to
rot on this account,
he nutriment of the
'st indication of the
le last years of the
; was so long before
ivater. In Europe,
Ity in applying tnis
IS been introduced,
nd let away in the
For the gall-inhabit-
form the Delaware,
y slightly, by both
t form, and even if
ry than t present.
vn shading. They
ne foliage, and are
nd their fore le.^s
' appearance for a
pings of birds, aiiil
le for their presei-
QRAPE VINE PLUM MOTH —
Pterophorua periacelidactyl as.
THE SPOTLED PELIDNOTA-
Pelidnota punctata.
^^^
Fig. 76.
Fig. 74,
THE GRAPE VINE FLEA BEETLE— Haltica challjheu.
• i|
Vvj, 7<i.
a Jf^S/rte^ Khe wSm? '^ "' *'' '"'" "' ' ' ' '' *'" "^'^^'^ ' "^^^^ '^ '^^^^^'^^
156
ONTARIO AGBICULTUEAL COMMISSION.
The larva and egga of Eudryas unio are represented in the illuBtrationa. (See
Fig. 72.) The larva is about an inch and a half in length, and is variously covered
with red, black, and green markings. They riddle the grape loaves very severely.
The Grape Cidaria {Ciddria, dimmilineata), one of the geometer family, and the
common woolly bear {Spiloaotna Vinfinica), are also mentioned as injurious to the
grape vine.
The Grape Vine Leaf Roller (Desmia maculalia) and the Grape Vine Plume
Moth (PterophoruH perincelidactylus) also attack the ^rape-vine leaves. (See Figs.
73 and 74.) They are described as follows : —
"The plume moth feedn on the vine very early in the HeaHon, just as the foliaKe is expand-
ing, and at ^at time it does as much execution as a much larger species will when the foliage
18 more fully developed. It riddles the^leaves and sometimes destrovs the fruit to some
extent.
"The grape-vine leaf-roller is a pretty little dark brown or black moth with two white
spots im each of this hind wings. In the larval state it makes a little case of the leaf by
rolling and stitching it up, and it is so active that it pops out of one end of the case thus
made before you can catch it at the other. These are all the in.sects that seriously affect tlie
leaves. There are some beetles, however, which attack the leaf. "
Hellebore and water, or if they are very tenacious of life, as in the case of
beetles, a little Paris green and water, will effectually dispose of them, as well as
most insects to which it is safe and convenient to apply it.
The Spotted Pelidnota {Pelidnota punctata), is a large red coloured beetle, and
M»ry common on the grape vine. (See Fig. 75.) Its larva lives in decaying wood.
The Grape-vine Flee Beetle {Haltica chalybea) has recently been very mis-
chievous. (See Fig. 76.) It attacks the buds just as tlioy are swelling, and
although only some three-twentieth.s of an inch in length, will, says Mr. Saunderr,,
devour a bud containing three or four bunches of grapes at a meal. If numerous
it will soon dispose at this rate of a large crop of grapes. Its history is as
follows : —
"The beetles that appear in early spring are those that have hibernated in the rubbish
and decayed leaves at the base of the grape vines, or in their immediate neighbourhood.
After they have fed a while on the expanding buds, and as soon as the leaves of the grapes
begin to form, they deposit their eggs on the leaves, and in time these hatch into small black
Jarvae with six feet, which begin to feed on the foliage, riddling and devouring it vei v much
in the early period of its growth. These larvie are usually quite numerous, and continue
iceding on the vine for some weeks. When they attain their full growth, they descend to
the g.ound and enter the chrysalis state, where they nmain till the autumn, when the beetles
escape from the chrysalis and hibernate in rubbish, and a^vong the dead leaves."
The best method of dealing with so dangerous a pest has been nuu'li discussed,
and a useful suggestion on the subject is given by Mr. Saunders, who says : —
"Some difficidty has been found in killing this insect. During the past year the Ento-
mologist of the Department of Agriculture, at Washington, has been conducti. g a series of
experiments with the view of devising some expeditious means of catching and killing this
insect, and the most useful plan he could suggest, after many experiments, was to thoroughly
saturate a strip of cotton, three by six feet, with kerosene oil, and hold it under the vines
while tliey are being jarred. The beetles fall by the jar, and the kerosene kills them. They
are rather torpid in the early part of the day, especially in the cool of the morning, and if
the vines are visited at that time, and the screen put underneath them, tliey can be readily
shaken down and destroyed. By keeping the neighbourhood of the vines quite clean and free
from rubbish, and not affording these insects any hiding places, you can lessen their numbers
very much, since unless they have a place in which to hibernate they are more exposed to
their enemies, and will probably leave the neighbourhood and look for shelter elsewhere."
The Rose-beutle (Macrodadylus subspinosus) "is about half an inch in length,
with long spreading legs, and of a brownish colour, and devours the leaves very
rapidly. In the larval state it is found eating the succuleiit roots of plants and
grasses. It deposits its eggs in a cavity in the eartli, and when the larvis complete
their growth they enter into the chrysalis btate in the ground and the next season
produce this beetle which is so destructive. "
The Tiu'ips, so calieil alLliough the true thrip is quite a dili'erent insect, are
members of the bug family small in size and partial more particularly to the thin-
leaved varieties of grape. ^See Fig. 77.)
INJURIOUS INSECTS.
lustrationa. (See
variously covered
ves very severely,
r family, and the
I injurious to the
'ape Vine Plume
laves. (See Figs.
le foliaffe is expand-
'ill when the foliage
i the fruit to some
)th with two white
case of the leaf by
id of the case thus
seriously affect the
IS in the case of
them, as well as
jured beetle, and
n decaying wood,
been very mia-
,re swelling, and
yf^ Mr. Saunderf,,
al. If numerous
Its history is as
lated in the rubbish
ate neighbourhood,
eaves of the grapes
tch into small black
)uring it vei v much
srous, and i • intinue
'th, they doisccnd to
in, when the beetles
saves. "
1 muoli discussed,
ivho says : —
past year the J^nto-
nducti. q; a series of
ing and killing this
, was to thoroughly
it under the vines
) kills them. They
the morning, and if
tliey can be readily
quite clean and free
3ssen their numbers
ire more exposed tn
Iter elsewhere."
m inch in length,
8 the leaves very
Dts of plants and
le larvjB complete
I the next season
erent insect, are
darly to the thin-
157
THK THRIPS.
THE TREE CiiivKY.i—(Ecantkm neveus.
Fig. 77.
Fig. 77 shows one of the commonest forms
with wings both closed and expanded.
Fi^. 78 represents the feniale, and Fiy. 79 thL^mate insect.
THE SQUASH VINE BORER THE SQUASH BUG
t—^gena cucurbitce. —Coreis tristia.
A MAPLE BORER —
Glytm speciosus.
Fig. 81.
Fig. 82.
Fig. S:i,
ORTHOSOMA CVLINDRICUM— BEETLE AND LARVA.
Fig. 84.
It<{ I ;■
168 ONTARIO AOUWULTURAL COMMISSION.
.. l,'I"^^®7 ^""^ *" snppllwl with beaks or rostrums with which they pierce the leaves and.
m ckijiK tlie pap, produce small white tlotH ujwn them, and when the insectH are very numornus
they soon iilfect the entire leaf, ho that it withers either partially or wholly, arid the vine
primfnts a very diHeased appearance, while for want of proper foliage the fruit fails to ripen
M it should, and hence the crop is very much injured."
In its earlier stagea of growth the insect may be destroyed by syringing the
vines with an alkalino solution, but as it becomes older it resists such mild oppli-
ances. Building fires at night to attract the insects has been tried, and it has
been suggested that jarring the vinos by torch-light might be efficacious. The
insects would, it is said, be disturbed by the jarring, and fly to the liglit and be
■r- '^^^r. *'"®'? cricket {(Ecanthua niveua) attacks both grape and raspberry. (See
r igs. 78 and 79.) r ,> \
"The female in furnished with a very characteristic ovripositor for placiiiK her eaaa. She
has a saw-hke apparatus, by means of which she is enabled to saw t/lrouKh the wood with
ease, hhe sits on the cane and saws a slit We enough to contain an egg, which is placed in
IfV.iTw ^ f'"^' " \'"'^ 'J'^ '*r- ,''""''»''• «l't. «nd deposits another egg, and ho on, until a
Btiiught r()w of eggs have been laid about an inch or ar inch and a quarter in lenirth. This
series of slits m the cane weakens it very much, and during the winter those eggsdeposited
in ttiat manner are preserved from change of temperature and from destruction by birds and
other insects that might i)rey upon them. The insect does not feed upon the vine or the vine
leaves, but the presence of these eggs weakens the stem mechanically to such an extent that
when the foliage expands m the following ^ason the weight of it sometimes breaks the stem,
and thus the crop 18 lost.
The Grape Seed insect {hnsoma vitis), a minute fly, deposits its eggs on the
outside of, or just under the skin of, the grape. Tho larva enters the seed while
in a soft green state, and feeds on the kernel. The grape is thus prevented from
npening, and the presence of immature green grapes in a bunch is accounted for.
1 he last mentioned insect enemy of the grape is the honey bee. Of this insect
Mr. Saunders says :—
, "The Honey Bee {Apis mellifica) has been accused of injuring the grape crop, and, I
believe, with a good deal of justice. During this past season, in the neighbourhood of St.
Catharines, several parties have lost almost their entire crop from this pest Mr llvkert
who has been one of the sufferers, tells me that he has watched and seen them attack the
sound grapes, bite through the skin, and proceed to extract the juice. The only way in which
he could save his grapes, was to cover them with netting. Mr. Taylor, of St. Catharines
who 18 a large grape grower, has also complained much of this trouble." '
INSECTS INJURIOUS TO THE SQUASH, MELON AND CUCUMBER.
"A small wasp-like creature," the Squash Vine Borer (Mqeria cucurbitce) is
in its larval state, highly destructive to the squash. The moth is harmless. (See
Figs. 80 and 81.)
The stripped Cucumber Beetle (Diabrotica vittata) is more destructive than the
squash vine borei , and continues its depredations in the beetle as well as the larval
condition. Both these pests direct their attacks to the stem of the plants, sucking
the juices and effectively destroying the plant, if not arrested. The best remedy
appears to be to enclose the young plants in small boxes with gauze tops, until they
have so far develoyed as to resist successfully the attacks of the beetles.
Of the squash l&ug, Mr. Saunders says :—
"The squash bug (Corcis tristis) is another insect very destructive to the several varieties
of the squash. It belongs to the order hemiptera, the true bug family, and has a very un-
pleasant odour when handled. This creature injures the vines by puncturing them and
sucking the sap, and it lays its eggs in considerable quantities on the under side of the leaves
These hatch, and the colony of squash bugs which result will pass from leaf to leaf and very
soon the vine becomes sadly disfigured, and the foliage ^o injured as to prevent its normal
growth, and an attack from this bug will often result in a partial or complete loss of the crop
if the insect is allowed to proceed unchecked. From the fact of the insi^ct. livin^' a'^'o-'^'" •
by suction, it cannot be reached by hellebore or Paris green or other poisons of that class It
may, however, be affected by syringing the vine with alkaline solutions, and it has occasion-
ally been subdued to a certain extent by pouring hot water on the vines, which will usually
dislodge the insects, and if hot enough, destroy them." (See Fig. 82.)
INSECTS, INJURIOUS AND BENEFICIAL.
169
raspberry. (Hee
Tho Oncumbor Flea Beetle (HcUtica ctieumirU) is not bo plentiful as to do much
practical in j'Ty.
INHECTH INJimiOUS TO F0HE8T TKIIE8. '
With increased attention to tho study of Forestry, the services of the Ento-
mologist will bo more frenuently called into requisiticjii in connection with the
insect ilestroyers of forest trees. They are not loss numerous or destructive than
those which attack tho grain fiohls or orchards.
Tlio Wood-borer is tho spocios of insect most mischievous in its operations,
and tho name covers a numerous family.
Of tho pine borers the largest is known as Moaohnmmua coiifumr. "It is
remarkable, ' says Mr. Bethune, " for the enormous length of itsantennte, or horns,
which extend sometimes to twice tho length of its body, the latter being probably
ivii inch and a half long, thus making tho antonniu three or four inches in length.
They are, besides, curiously jointed and form a curve usually branching out on
each side. "
Its history and habits are described as follows : —
"The insect is pnxluced from a very large gnib, of a whitish colour, with a larffe broad
head and very powerful jaws, with which it cuts into the timber of the trees. It is not a very
common insect in this part of the country, but in the Ottawa lumber districts, and in the
hunberinjf retfions north of Peterijorough, it has frequently been very abundant and very
ilt^structive. Its habit is to attack timber that has been injured, usually by fire, or blown
ilciwn by the wind ; it does not attack green, flourishing timber. It frequently happens that
forest fires will sweep over a number of square miles of timber during one summer. If the
fiillen or injured timber is not cleared away the same summer it is liable to be destroyed by
thi.s beetle. In the following spring the parent beetles frequent this burnt district and lay
their eggs on the trunks of the trees which remain standing. From these eggs hatch out the
grubs, which gradually penetrate into the interior, and burrow long chambers through and
through the tree. _ Where they are very numerous they will honeycomb the wood to such an
extent as to make it quite useless foi building purposes. Consequently, in the Ottawa region
I)artic\darly, it is a race between the lumberers and beetles as to which shall secure the timber
after the tire has scorched a district, It is also very destructive to timber that has been cut
and left in the woods as saw logs, though in this case stripping off the bark is a remedy.
The damage done by this pest, in some instances, has been enormous, one
timber-limit owner having, in a short time, it is said, lost over ^150,000 by its
ravages.
The Monohammtts scutellatus is another borer, more numerous than the previous
one, is black in colour, slightly spotted with white, while Mumhammus confmor is
an ashen gray. The habits of both are similar. The grub of the scutellatus fre-
quently arrives at maturity in the timbers of newly erected buildings, to the great
astonishment of the occupants.
Chalcophora liberta and virginica are also woodborers of a metallic cast of colour,
and burrowing, like the others already named, in the timber.
A maple borer {Clytus spcciosus) is velvety black in colour, with bright yellow
stripes and markings. (See Fig. 83. )
The locust-tree borer (Clytus fiexuosus) is more wasp-like in shape and very
destructive to the tree with which its name is identified. Mr. Bethune thus alludes
to its habits : —
"Some years ago it was very abundant in the neighbourhnod of Toronto, and killed most
of the locust trees from Toronto to London. I have also found immense numbers about the
Credit and other places, but now, I think it has to a large extent disappeared.
" When it attacks a tree, little masses of wh;i.t looks like sawdust may be seen in the forks,
at the base, or adhering to the bark. These are the fragments of the wood which the grub
casts out during his borings. Swarms of flies and other insects attracted by these castings
also betray the presence of the borer.
" It may be killed by inserting a wire into the hole which it has made in the tree, but a
more effective remedy is the application of very strong soap-suds to the stems and branches,
especially when the attack is first noticed. As the beetle gets older and stronger it penetrates
mr.re deeply into the tree, and is not so easily reached. This treatment would prove equally
effective in the case of the maple-tree borer."
A large chestnut-brown beetle (Orthosoma cylindricum) of the same family as the
Moriohammus is also noticed. It is well known as a frequent intruder into houses
ii
1
H
li
: 1m
Im
' i
1
im
i
IGO
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
when lighted at night. It is more generally diffused than the Monohammus, which
IS found chiefly in the lumbering regions. (See Fig. 84.) Of the habits of the pine
borers Mr. Bethune adds :— =• / i °
«„i,'I Ikm^'"?^""®! "^ ^}^^^ ^*^.?f, P'?®, ^"'■f ""^ ''^'^ generally be known by the noise which thev
^Snn. f ""^ '''"''• ?" ^ ^*'/^ V^^* .^^^ crunching of their jaws can easily be heard at a
distance of several ro.k, and by listening intently, the exact spot can be found where the
«nfn«1n1,!' ''*" I'^^f^'' ^'^^\ ""^ ^^^'\^^'Se borers attack only trees that have met with
trees'"""'^"' °'' ' ^''^^"' ''°''''" '^'" attack perfectly healthy
Of other enemies of forest trees, Mr. Bethune says :—
fl,JI^hr''r f number of other insects which attack the wood of our forest trees, such as
those of the Scolytus fa.m y and others, but they are smaller in size, some of them lieing very
minute indeed. They chief! v work just beneatli the bark of the tre^, and I do not know that
they do any great amount of damage. Some of them penetrate the small twigs and shoots
and do injury in that way. They do not, as a rule, attack live, healthy trees, but if the bark
has become loose from any cause, they are apt to get under and damage the wood »
BENEFICIAL INSECTS.
Entomology is a branch of natural history so little studied that it is not wonder-
ful there should be a very great confusion of ideas as to the precise position of the
insect races in nature's economy. People generally regard all insects as pests
destroy them indiscriminately, and feel that they are doing precisely the right thino-
when they even legislate,— as they think— so as to promote or ensure their'destruc^
tion. But enough is known by those who have cared to investigate, to show that
the insect world deserves no such wholesale condemnation ; that there are insects as
beneficial as others are injurious, and that it is not to the rather problematical
olfaces of birds, or even the ingenuity of man, but to the tiniest of living creatures
we must often look for protection against known insect enemies. When Sir Brodie
m his evidence remarks, " Over 5,000 species of insects are known to science, a lar^^-e
proportion of which prey on plant-eating insects; and, "every eutomoloo-ist Is
acquainted with some portion of the life-history and habits of the more common
species, and knows that their hardiness, fecundity, and their ability to keep in
clieck the species on which they prey, are very remarkable," he is only claimiiio- to
know what has been ascertained on the mere threshold of this branch of discovery
and investigation. Mr. Bethune in his evidence says : —
"I think it would be very desirable if the community in general were able to distin"uisli
between insects that are really beneficial and those that are really injurious. Most people
will trample under foot any insect they come across, particularly if its appearance is not very
inviting, anrl numbers of those that are put to death in this way are our very best friends."
Mr. Saunders, at the close of his evidence, says : —
_ " I am quite satisfied that we have to look to the insect world to control that part of the
insect world wnich is destructive to our crops."
The numerous allusions in the evidence just reviewed on the subject of bene-
ficial species have been passed over till now, in order to present more forcibly and
effectively when grouped than separately, the enormous benefits the friendly species
confer on mankind.
The beneficial insects are divided by entomologists into four or five classes.
First come the Tiger beetles, or Cicindelidw, handsome creatures, the larva) of
which, living in holes in a dry sandy soil, feed exclusively on insect prey. The
perfect insect has great powers of speed and activity on the wing, and also live«
exclusively on insects, i See Figs. 8.5 to 90.)
Next come the ground beetles, living under stones and rubbish, and especially
active in destroying the larva of the potato beetle and various kinds of caterpillars.
"The ','enus ffnrpalus,'" says Mr. Bethune, "is espeninlly valual'Ie in this v.-ay .Soni.>
of them are large and handsome. Then there is the genus Cnlmnmn, of which there' are two
or three species, one of them being a large beautiful green beetle called the ' caterpillar
hunter, from its habit of going up trees, and seizing upon and devouring caterpillars We
BENEFICIAL INSECTS.
161
lohammus, which
labits of the pine
le noise which they
asily be heard at a
e found where the
that have met with
k perfectly healthy
)re3t trees, such as
of them being very
I do not know that
1 twigs and shoots,
ees, but if the bark
wood. "
it is not wonder-
B position of the
insects as pests,
y tlie right thing
re their destruc-
te, to show that
ere are insects as
er problematical
living creatures
/hen Mr. Brodie
i science, a large
entomologist is
le more common
ility to keep in
only claiming to
ich of discovery
-ble to distina^uiali
)us. Most people
irance is not very
r best friends."
that part of the
ibject of bene-
>re forcibly and
friendly species
i'lg. btJ. Fig. 87. Fig. 88. Fig. 89. Fig. 90.
Fiff. 85.— The common tiger beetle (Cicindela vulr/aris). Fiq. 86— The purple tiger beetle
lLr'?"i^'"^- , ^!?- fl'~^^'' hairy-necked tiger beetle (C. hirticoUis). FkJ. 88.-The six
spotted tiger beetle (C7. sex-guttata). This last is a most beautiful insect, of a brilliant
colour. Fig. 89. -The large tiger beetle (C. (/enerom).
CALOSOMA SCRUTATOR.
Fig. 91.
WATER BEETLES — SEVERAL FAMILIES.
^^'^^- '"'^- Fig. 93.
Fig. 92 represents the largest of our species of Dytiscus (I). Han\
Fiy. 9;j. A species nearly as large, Hi/dvophilustriannHlaris.
isii).
162
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
|r,i;~,X7rV1r^t)rst^^ .This year I found the large
Hope. Another species called the ^L™. ; w ^'"'"''"5 -'^'^'f""' ^^''y abundant at Port
destroys a great nuX^rcXSla^t'ToxS^L^ctt" ' '""^'^ ^"'^ '^"'^"'"^ ^««"«'
toiroy t7nli:r:S'::i:i±ZZZ''' 'f ".^l^^^ ^any Bpecies of birds, take no
The water hppH!; contributions on our fruit trees for their services.
keeping 7uoh int TwirmosauEr '''', ""t"' ^f'^l"? ''''^y «" i--*«' ^^^
(See Figs. 92 and 93 ) mosquitoes, and others bred in the water, in check.
Bays^onST- ' ^""'^"' "'' "'"^"^ ^" ""°*^«^ ^*y- (««« Fig. 94.) Mr. Bcthune
andZS^iJ^rwffaSsta'^^^^^^^^^^^ ^"^^ -.t'^^ f^™'"- ^^''M^W.
have the very useful habTt of TurS small rl!nHa^- Y' "'TV'*'""^ and some of them
removing the offensive objects from our skh bu? of W^^'V^*' ho^e^er jvith the object of
viding food for the grubs which are thus hSohednnf ?^V»f their eggs in them, and thus pro-
on the shores of our lakes and river. Th«S / • 7 ^k*"^'" feed upon dead fish thrown up
live upon decayed ve^etMe'sir^lt as^d^lS^^^^^ *'^ ^^"^ ''''''''' ^'^^ *h«'
this order. There SumiedTof d?ffitLVf^7%'Hr *^ ^^hich be ong to
eralinchesinlengtrdoZtoadelt ofm^^^^^^ '^^^^^^^ Y^^ying in si.e from lev!
eye ; but all pre/upon other inSts "^^»"t«"e«« that can scarcely be seen with the naked
sortronLSs.l'rrhTSt'lLlTbS^^^^^^ "^T"^«^ '\' -*-p'"-« «f -^ii
to these ichneumons, more than to nnv Jw ^ li^'^S grub and gradually kill it. It is
from the ravages of deructive bisects^ "'' whatever, that we owe our immunity
alm^t'I'ntiTyiXtinl^eT^hi'lf ES:*!.l^^^^^^^ t^e pests were
m spite of all other checks Som^kfyZLSf.^ i • ^^^^'- ^^^ noxious insects thrived
inches in length, will penetrate the think l.ffl- "f . ^'^^' ^'^^ ovipositors three or four
are extremely numerourandT !„,.,!. "^ ^"^^^ '"'"'^ ^^^t«" »P«n their prey. They
upon it and^eSHt 'down \^asns 'and VoC' "^ '"'f'^i^^'^ '*,^ °^" ichneumon feeding
and partly injuri^ous! The i &ho;;?et';S\hT^h^^^^^^^^^
Of the habits of the two-winged flies, Mr. Bethune says :-
gradually kill'^Tre'motuJt^^ ^^•^-'^ *he larv. thus hatched out
larvK3 live in water, and7eed unon dlnwinr • ^' '"«'»« sense, a beneficial insect. Its
assistance in reducing tl amoui^rofSma' inlSrpiacL' '"'^^ *'"^- '' '^ P^"^^^^^' °^
wKte?^^ number of insects, and among others 'th; ^S^^J^^ ^1^^
a
BENEFICIAL INSECTS.
I found the large
abundant at Port
handsome beetle,
)f birds, take no
ices.
on insects, and
water, in check.
) Mr, Bethune
families Silphidm
iiid some of them
ivith the object of
3m, and thus pro-
id fish thrown up
e habits, but they
e, but there are
al of them feed
'hich is, by the
order. One of
its larva, feeds
irva and perfect
1 other minute
1 the beneficial
■ to which bee*
3ary to speak of
which belong to
ti size fi'om sev-
1 with the naked
iterpillars of all
lly kill it. It is
B our immunity
, the pests were
1 insects thrived
rs three or four
eir prey. They
neumon feeding
partly beneficial
od many house-
including the
la flies. The
e former have
ins hatched out
ial insect. Its
is probably of
ficial, while a
to this order
beetle in its
163
COMMON SCAVENGER BEETLE —
Necro'phorus velutmus.
A CURCULIO DESTROYER —
Chauliognathus jpennaylvanicua.
Fig. 94— One of our commonest species. Fig. 95.
Fig, 96.
AN ICHNEUMON — Macvocentrn!^ delicatus.
Fig. 97.
Fiff. 97 sho^vs one of the parasitic Ichneumons which destroys the codling worm of the apple
A TACHINUS FLY.
164
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
11
flies/ ^Ttl:1„S/i^^?r^ir£V,<i;^i^^^ to which belon, the handsome dragon-
a larpre nuantity of the larvL S Xr insecl whi T*.?,'''-''"^^ are very ferocious, destroying
and k.ll great numbers of the k'es that are the narln/ f ?' • P-'^^'^ condition, they fly about
the fact that they are promiscuouffeLfera an n!r^„ "^ •"J""""^ i"«ects. Notwithstanding
fliesj think they may ie classed aUk'ar^^^ prey upon some of the ichneumon
The peA:cUn;:cf fs'Vei-y 'bt^t'Sl l^inoearan/"'?.^ "P-"" P'^"* "-' ^^^^^ *« ^^^^ -der.
body is green, and it has krge pr mi Lt^ffin f,' ^*r 7'"^'^ ^^^frnhle very fine lace, the
offensive odour. It deposits^t, Su .on s^eSh ff'' ^""^ ""h'-^Ppily jt also possesses a very
of the eggs it lays, and' vvh ch mak a"n them7n tlT r}'''\'^''^ ° proportion to the si^e
leaves or twigs on which they are deposited. " "l^vated position above the surface of the
Vop^rlt:T4lfZ.''V::^^^^^ ^^^^^^ '^""^^' -^ --^--t- t^^- ^-m some
f;or:i^^:::ti^ KelSts';"tt sr '-'^"''^ '^l"^^^'^^- . Tl-y belong to the
kind. They destroy a large numl e"of ^n.^ctT nost?v . f f?' ''"•'' ^"'r,°*^'''' ''^^^tures of that
predacious spiders, that do not construct webs nrev m.nn fi, ''''"^''^''^''''"■^',?^°"gh the more
web;spinning spider, though a source fannovinn J t??? .^^f J,"'®'^^', *' '^*^''- ^he common
use m despatching house-fl'ies and other insS whil"^ ^itiS ^'^^^^^^rP''. '« 9f very great
told us to the contrary, it is not at all poisonous or injuriour" "*'' *^'' ''°"'' ^^^°^ ""''
by them within his knowledge He tys - ""'^ ""P""'""* ''''''''' ''""'^'''^
Tf^^SSttiS:iiZSr^ '^"^^^ ^r?'^.* *° -- by parasites
did considerable injury to celery ZnIpv ^^a I' ^^ 'f \',^.*'^ "^^'^^ '» "^^ summer of 1876
Toronto. In 1877, the'^chnSi^^vhfcr""' on theiT^r '^'''°^' P^""*^ ? '^' '''''^^'y °^
ancl^^ained on them, so that this ik sumS l^St^mlZTlZta^So^,^^^^^^^
chePZes1namlS',tl To^rtl^'nialrr^^^^ '^'^ -rious injury to the horse-
in the pupating season 100 larvc^ could be Lllectedn.l'''" ""'^'^^ ^f^^'^^^ "^^ ^'^^''' ^"^1
avenue; in the fall of 1870, two species of narS, '"'^..'""raing walk down Queen street
preying on them, and so speedily did they iKsellTaMnfr'' ^'''^ a r«c/««a-were found
collected in the autumn o/l87f),^96 per'S^" weTelound To bi^sTtS ''" °' ^^'^^' '""''^
meniiZt ""*'"" '"^ ''''''' *° '''' ^-^i'- -^ th« -coon state has been already
V^J^^Se:::^:ZJ^^l '■ 'T'^**« the existence of a friendly
He says :- ^'^^^^ *^'^ diimnution m nmnbers of the wheat midge!
ance^'Sf^e'lS: i^' S^ 1 1 'tS'S'^i^ll^'^Sr V' '""t ^'"'^'' *°*^^ ^-'^P-
specimens, as they would in all nmhnl n;f f i^ ' *^though we have not discovered any
''In Englandfit is w 1 known ht l/er^a^'ni^ '"T^V' *'^"" *''^ '"^'^'^t i*««If-
much surprise wa^ expressed, at the ti ne its rava:'ef w.'!"^'"'^ ^^^^'^ '!'? ^^^^^^^^ "^i^te^- and
did not experience the benefit of miwL in f? ^^^'^ '^^'^® »9, great in tliis country, that we
the continent had." paiasite.s in the same way that the farmers of England and
known parasites-chalcis flies-that preyed unontfe^vi!^*^''''^ \^'%^^ }'^'^' two well-
woul.l require the attention of a thon ,, X sdentifir- en r^ midge in England, but he said it
with great care and labour, to .>l.tain hese creaS '^^ entomologist for several months, together
be very great, as also would be the dEltv of ZVi^
tho.^ht It could be done. My .Hvn SltLn wns V Ip^^ ""*if '"^ P''^^^'' *'"'«. but he
at the time in the Cnncufa Fm-Lr. iVdTa= X^T. Vll T ' '"""'^ ^ f ""^^ """" *he subject
Legis ature, but just then the n.idge bet^Ln'tfce is^itf 1^^^^^ matter before the notice of the
seem to be a matter of any further consequence » "P°" ^^^ ^'''**' ^^^ it did not
s. (See Figs.
ulaome dragon-
oua, destroying'
they fly about
otwithstanding
the ichneumon
g to this order.
iine lace, the
ossessea a very
tion to the size
surface of the
m from some
belong to the
atures of that
3ugh the more
The common
of very great
ries which are
ificial insects
!es rendered
I by parasites
mmer of 1876
lie vicinity of
ime common,
thoiit finding
to the horse-
f leaves, and
Queen street
—were found
patela larvae
sen already
a friendly
eat midge.
1 disappear-
!overed any
tself.
midge, and
;ry, that we
Ingland and
"r. Francis
isites from
ious checks
, two well-
i he sai(l it
IS, together
take would
lie, but he
the subject
)tice of the
I it did not
BENEFICIAL INSECTS.
DKAGON FLIES.
166
Fig. 99.— In this figure
and the pupa caae, wi
figure we have represente<l tiie larva in the act of capturing its nrev
th the perfect insect just emerging therefrom.
1«6
ONTARIO AOBIOULTUSAL OOUMISSION.
it „ „„„ which I ;,.ve (ormSd ,;„ aclilbZttSld W^fpsTiL"^ " "" °'''°'°"' "»''
Kgs 102 to 110 ) ■'^ My-birda, laga-winged flws and ayrphus flies. (Soe
Colli' *:ti'e°°j;:'Xe"„^;LltLe;r\ttL:lr"^' ^%rr''^™ -' *»
added Iho soldier b„,. and s^on.e o.h":;r:^, J"e^nr„r„TEtt%S™^x55
Of the foes of the grasshcpper, Mr. Bethuns says ■—
a very^iIcuLlvTeS^^'^rif X^^^^ grasshopper. ()„e of these is
feeds upon the interior of theZly ami f ttv n.rf. ff f, '' ''"""e*™^" ""^" i" ^^t^i"- '-This
keeps its numbers down to a very coSerlle extSit!" ^''^^^h^l'P^r' ^^^ I have no doubt
a raS;-,?"'" "^"-'"'^^ ^"^^^ k--" l—ite that preys on the grasshopper is
^.^ The Phylloxera is also kept in check by lace-winged flies, lady-birds and syrphus
i^tiiSIISErf^^^^^
and suspended in the usual inanne7thetrub S^nf f ' • ^^ '' t^''^'l«f«"iied into a chrysalis
makes a hole through the shel of tlie clif vsalis St n f "^T'li^^u?^* "^^ '* "1^' ^'''^ ^"^"y
oommon that, as a^ule, the c rysahS thu ^mn/nHiP? * " \'"le black fly. These are so
butterflies. Though these buttei^ies lav Unr ™ , ^ i 1: ProJuce ichneumons rather than
serious pest, on acLunt of thlli^folltl^olT^^^^^^ ^^ --- '-^e to be a
. The very serious mischief attendant upon the introduction of the cabbage bnt
terfly and its fearful rapid spread over a Hrfro nnrf ^f i-ht i- ^^?°*ge but-
alluded to. To what is the diminu io^of it nfmbers due tSp "'f ^ave been
Bethune and Mr. Brodie supplies the answer. '''^'"'' ""^ ^'-
Mr. Bethune says : —
called Ftemmalus puparum. This Tn^ect is verv i^mLLX ""*•' P?''^^'*^' ^n ichneumon,
the butterfly down, sVthat it is never vVrysemiXS '" *^T •'*"'^' ^^?'^ '* ^'^P'
as in the case of most other insects It carrfes on if-^ mtr.}? ' ^''''^^- ? "e''*^'""'^' y^^^rs,
the parasite I have described as attackinftl>rh r^nff'fl?'"" 'n precisely the same way as
in tlie chrysalis form, and e^i^L^fef rti ftifs^r^f T^^^^l^^f^^ ^-"
Mr. Brodie says : —
York,1S the tf tffir ;::rr\iT bernTion'^ 1^'"'^ \' ''T ^^T ^ *^« — ^y "^
now nearly exterminated by'ariehneriL','^;^:;:,^::}^^^^^^^^ butterfly-P.-,,,, rapi-
Of th-i root plant louse's enemy, Mr. Saunders says •—
e..;rS';s;Mste5issSL,Shatr^s^^:j^irissi^
After mentioning his ill success i„ l.i, attempts to discover tent-calerpillars in
upon by numerous
[■e properly termed
. long interval he
t8_ than to any other
, is my opinion, and
ugh unknown as a
i^rphus flies. (See
lillions by insects,
J numbers of the
' tliat ])est may be
!S. (See Figs. Ill
r. One of these is
len in water. This
rnd I have no doubt
:he grasshopper is
Jirds and syrphus
s, enemies of the
ure Mr. Bethune
ichneumon, which
1 the fatty i)ortions
id into a chrysali.s
g it up, and finally
fly. These are so
imons rather than
lever liable to be a
;he cabbage but-
inent have been
3vidence of Mr.
excessively severe,
t two years, how-
st, as it ia with us
;e, an ichneumon,
id, where it keeps
occasional years,
■ the same way as
1 destruction when
red fly."
s in the county of
^y—Fieris rapw-—
'I— which lays its
" (See Fig. 115.)
t-caterpillars in
BENEFICIAL INSECTS.
LADY-BIRDS, LACE-WINGED FLIES AND SYRPHUS FLIES,
1«7
Pig. 102.
Fig. 103.
Fig. 104.
Fig. 105.
Fig. 106.
Fig. 107.
Fipr. 108.
Fig. 109.
Fife. 110.
The most common and useful are the different species of lady-birds, four of which are
showT. by Figures ]02, 103, 104 and 10.5. Fi,,. 102 is the 13-sJotted Ch-.Sn7rff «S
danuaU-punctata). Fig 103 the 9-spotted Lady-bird (Coccineul O-notaaJ Fa iS The
plain Lady-bird ro>.,..me^^ .^udna) Fi,. 105, the spotted Lady-bird rffippoSiaZ^:
ma J. Fig. 106, shows the larva of one of our common lady-birds. The lace-winced flies
(Chry.^opaJ are also enemies of the apkidw, both in their perfect state (Fig. mf^ndil
heir larva s ate (F^g. 108 . The latter figure also shows the curious stalk«l egJs of thi^
rhrotfeSlyrl'^! nor ^^'^^^ ^'"'' ''""" '" t^e larva state r/'l^^j'S
SOLDIER BUG AND OTHER ENEMIES OF THE COLORADO BEETLE.
Fig. 111.
Fig. 112.
Fig. 113.
Fig. 114.
Fig. 111. -The soldier-bug (Reduvms raptatorius). Fig. 112.— The glowing closoma
(Caosoma cahdum). Fig. I13.-The murky ground beetle (Harpalus^caligiLu,). ll
Fig. 114 IS shown a arva of Harpalus, which gives a verv irood idea of t.b^ Inrv.^ af these
ground beetles, which may be often met with under stones and stumps in "slightly moist
168
ONTARIO AOIilCULTDRAL COMMISSION.
Srsrntrrglfolr'to^l^r-*'' cuckoo-bemg found to be feeding on them.
" In rearing them (the larvae), however, I found that a very large number after the fir«f
rv^l,;Sa'„t''Thav«t''f^.^^ Tr' ""^ t-f'"-.-'Uwo'^spTe«TiSne«^
pUlarftCany o^her cause -'"*'' '^"' *'"'' ''^''''''' '^''^ "''"' '"^^'"'^^ 'l««*'-">''»» the cater'-
c»mmonrami?rn,:ml"^'blr^L" ^n ^™«''' 7^' T^'T''^ """'^ (^W/<a ;««oo«<wm«) was very
^i;^ert7ee^^L%:^iSn" '■'"''"-^^P^'^'^^"^ P..ro.a.„.-.o thit during t^e pasTsumS
Again, of the Oecropia, Mr. Saunders says : —
"A lary^e number of parasitea feed upon the Oecropia, and it is quite common to find th»t
It .s very seldom present in sufficient numbers to defoliage a tree unleL t^he tree ."young.'"
thpSj^^f r^ 7'r ''•"'• u' P^T'^^'' ^"* *^^«y ^1° "«* «ee™' «« far, to be equal to
the duty of largely dnninishmg the increase of this very noxious insect.
Ihe curcuho has an enemy in a small beetle, already referred to as one of the
same family as the tire-fly. But it has parasites, to, if they can only be secured
Saund1rs°sr;s :1'^'" " '*'""^'"* "'"^^ ^^ "^""^^^ '^''''''y''' "^ tie pkm Mr
u '' -^" Pf^rasites have been bred from the curculio, but they have not so far as I know
been found ui Canada and oniy to a limited extent in the Western States Prof Eilev Z^
bred and described them; they are very small ichneumons. If we couk get them it would
be very desirable to import them, but thev are so scarce in the States where the^urculio is
very abundant, and they appear to sprearf so slowly, and to such a limired extent that I do
not think we have much to hope for from them. The habits of the ii^ct seem to' Droteotl?
from the a tacks of the parasites, it being generally imbedded in theSwha? in tErtrvaf
form, and m its chrysalis state hidden under ground." "'^
Fi.Pn(?'''''^^^'7i'"''> 'P.!J'"'L'' ^**^'='^"^d by a parasite in a peculiar fashion. (See
J^igs. lib and 117. j Mr. Saunders says on this point :~
flv dlw,^''l°"^ ''''°'f ''^ i°h«'''^?i"n fly which is very destructive to this caterpillar. The
?hird?oF?ts iShTi'":,,; T' '''■^M ^^'''^' """^ ^^^'^ *h« l^^^'^^ has attained' about two!
tnirds ot Its growth it manifests a sickly appearance, and from the inside of its bodv tCL
Soon 'the^unr^er^Tl^ 'YT'^'l '^'^^^ '^'■''- ^W through the skin, and SnVtLirc^oc^Jo,:
trS^-^-l'-h^^^^ill-^ed. Theinc£mS;^?^-eiSi;?=[
, Enough has been said to show in what quarter we must look for help from
injurious insects. The cost of the depredations, annually, of the latter, cannot be
accurately estimated. It may be reckoned, however, at several millions and at
any mcmient an increase of some particular pest may work ruin among the farmers
or the fruit growers of Ontario. * ^ i.nmeia
The Commissioners Pve strongly impressed with the importance of encoura^^incr
every agency calculatea co assist in providing against such contingencies, o? to
promote a more extended popular knowledge of the science of Entomology. The
abours of the Entomologica Society of Ontario, have been already of incalculable
,K ?loVl 1 '"'P''*'' ^'"f ^y '"'"^"' "^ "^" Entomologist, now nearly complekig
.n S o r ' ^ ^^^y/'^'-g^ amount of information has been disseminated, and
a spirit of inquiry aroused The Society receives a grant from the Government
gradually increased from $400 to $1,000 per annum, " spent," Mr. Saunders re-
Z^'ntV'\ ""'f^'H' ''f''}^- /" Pr^'^'"^ "^^t^^'-^J f<^i- 'tarrying on the opera-
ofTlon } ?r*^' *^' ^"rk which. IS done being gratuitous." The nominal sum
of $100 cover the expenses of the Editor, and $50 for those of the Secretary, re-
present the only personal payments made. '^ J'' ^«
How seriously the people of the United States regard this question, and how
highly they appraise the work of entomological experts, may be imagined from the
BENEFICIAL INSECTS.
feeding on thein^
Tiber, after the first
ichneumons, beinj,'
(stroying the cater-
tpostiffma) was very
the larviB, feeding
these trees. They
ig the past summer
mmon to find that>
proportion produce
auch in check, and
tree is young. "
r, to be equal to
3ect.
to as one of the
only be secured
the plum. Mr.
o far as I know.
Prof. Eiley has
?et them it would
ere the curculio is
extent, that I do
eem to protect it
liile in the larval
fash
ion.
(See
caterpillar. The
lined about two-
of its body these
ling their cocoons
ce, so that it has
ie. In this way
niversally found
: for help from
;ter, cannot be
illions, and at
ig the farmers
)f encouraging
gencies, or to
)inology. The
)f incalculable
fly completing
eminated, and
Government,
Saunders re-
on the opera-
nominal sum
Secretary, re-
tion, and how
tied from the
169
STRPHUS WLY—Pipiza radicum.
-M^
«^i«l^,
Fig. 116.
Fig. 115 shows this fiy with its larva (a) and chrysalis (6), all magnified.
PARASITE DESTRUCTIVE TO GRAPE VINE SPHINX CATERPILLAR
Fig. 116.
Fig 117.
The moth is a very handsome creature (see Fia. 116) the fom «»•«»« «* i-
colour, crossed bv bands of tn-B-nJsh «rs". fh- hinH ••--•-t,'> y>re wingg of an olive tfreei
117. Sphinx CaterpiUar attacked" by La -vi. ""'^' *'* °^ * '^"^ '^««*'^"^ ^ue. Fiff.
green
12
170
ONTARIO: AOHICULTURAL COMMISSION.
fact that tho Stat', of Missouri formerly paid Profesnor Riloy f3,<)00 per annum,
the Professor now being in receipt of $5,000 per annum, as head of tho United
States Entomological Commission, wliile othor officers of that body are iitiid salaries
of $2,000 and 83,000 per annum. *
The Commissioners recognizes tho advisability in this, as in otlier similar matters
of utilizing, as far as possible, voluntary and independant orgauizatiouH, acting i
concert ^vith the Government, and relieving the latter of direct responsibility. Nc
do
Na
Brodu
111
sponsibility. flor
lyv fdii ; . appreciate efforts of a more local character, such as those of th«
Natural tlistocy Stjoiety of Toronto, represented among tho wituuases by Mr. Wm.
Brodio, of Toronto, which is also doing good service in a vory unostentatious
manner.
It may be, however, that tho time has come for some systematic and concerted
action between tho novernment aii<l our volunteer scientists, in order that wo may
be more ready than is the case at present, to meet any emergency that may present
IvdUXX*
Speaking of th- servicos rendered by the United State - Entomological Com-
mission, and suggesting that "if the secretaries or other umoials of our agricul-
tural societies would make known, at soiuo headquarters, whenever an attack of
this kind occurred in their vari(jus localities, it would bo of groat help towards
checking it in time."
Mr. Bethune goes on to say : —
which his work was confined, but the whole Union, millions upon millions of iloUiirg hv the
inforination which he had been able to obtain and .lissHininate. The States of IHinoia
Missouri, Ne^w Jersey and Massachusetts have hail State Entonmlogista forspveral yearn, and
other States have Entomologists in connection with their ai^'ricultiUMl colleges who give i heir
attention to the subject. The advantages of the office of I'rovincial Kntomnl.i^lst would l.o,
that a man c..uld devote his whole time to its duties, ,i.,.l whenever he found tln^ ' a particular
locality was threatened with the attack of any insect, he would at once go then- and investi-
gate the matter on the spot, which a person engaged in any other oc(5ui)ation C(;uld not do.
In this wav Prof. Riley, as Stu,te Entomologist for Missour-'. was enabled to do a great deal
«'" 1 "i*?- 7"^^' ""'^ ^ '''""'^ '* "'""'^^ "® ^"'*'' ^'"'*^ ^'^il*' ^or this Province to have an
oHicial of this kuid. I have no doubt, if sufficient remuneration were offered, that a suitable
person— he would of course have to be a thoroughly skilled Entomologist— could be obtaineil
without much difficulty. Even if .«10,000 a year were spent in maintaining an office of this
kind, It would be the means of saving hundreds of thousands of dollars to tho community in
general. •'
The interests of this Province and a largo portion of tl." Union are so nearly
identical in this particular that an exchange of good offices would it all time;^ be
both beneficial and natural.
Mr. Bethune, however, rightly points out that "a thoroug-hly skilful Ento-
mologist " alon(}, would be competent for such a position. Mistakes might be
irremediably mischievous. Some of the difficulties of the work, and the necessity
for great care and accurate knowledge, are suggested in Mr. Bethune's evidence
respecting the mid^'e and the proposition to import, parasitical enemies of that pest.
But it will be acknowle<''^ed by all, first, that the whole time of a .rialified natura-
list might well be devoted to this and cognate subjects in the interests of the
Province ; and secondly, that Entomo! -cfy should form a prominent and distin. t
feature, at all events in the curriculum of the Agricultural College, if not else-
where. It has already been suggested t^iat lectures of a poi)ular character em-
bracing Forestry, Entomol<.^,y, and Ornithology, might be profitably inagurated,
and a small hand-book for common use> on either of these questions would be
very acceptable and useful. '
At present no work precisely of the character required is in existence. Mr.
Saunders says on this point : —
"There are no hand-books on Entomological ii;;itte|^ which will compare with the hand-
itence. Mr.
I'ith the hand-
INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS.
ry nopula
unil eaail
>8CTil>ti(l
the best
ioal S >c
cover a mt.ch wider" fi;i:iV;;„:i'urVthrr\Z^^^^ •'" *7 "*'" V"« *'«"''• '"" '^'"""th'ey
experienceof the writers themHelveH. I tl hi ?/'!i."5"«'L'^^"??,"^''«'- ^'"-J^^. '^^"1 to the
character, i« well written claHHic, itn ll^ . ."^"""'."ir"- , '^^^ ^'"^^ 1" "^ « very
uncierHtood. Tt ha« exce lenH us Lt^oi^rL T'h' Tk' r'' ''T'-'P"''"'' are concine ,m
in the han.ls „f a heKMi.n r ThrreSH ,,r .1 'J f "''"?• *he be^t work extant to I,
vant deal uu.re inform.ti,,, tha i/n n .I^/ 1« i"'!:."l"'"K>°*l ^. -'^^y of Ontar, , c<
ar
— lily
« |)laced
. ^ contain a
one book, he, mto they
experience of the writerH the nsolZ T A • , -^ '^'-.'^"'"K- from oth
an.l such a volume would be exceedin^t^y vairiSe't^tr SinuSlTouullutt;:"'" '""""'
CHAPTER VI.
INSEOTIVOEOUS BIRDS.
WHAT rs AN INSECTIVOROUS BIRD?
tha^Z <.,pXX'v":;^^^^^^^ "-- difficult to answer
as a reply simply "Vbr^dtK J ,' Y^^* '" fi' insectivorous bird V To give
I'ird eat; are they insectrof a, Tni„.* •^'' "'^""'y' ^^•'^* i^^^^^ts does the
does the need Sv est ^at^on^^^^^^^^^^ u '"Tf' V^ "" ^^^^^om^ order?" Nor
bird's food consist of hstc a'. ht bird wh'"ir* ^' ^T'' ^^''' Proportion of the
does lie eat ins cts even nresuml v nn 1 ^^^""y «r only m part insectivorous, or
fruit or grain he also feeds upo^?^ "" " ^"'^' ''^^^ ^"°"°^ *« compensate for the
THE INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS ACT.
. -mble!ld^;f l^:ilt'1:L^r if '^ r'f 'T /" insectivorous birds has no
Intention It iV intituled - An Art f T.l. ^"""^ !"'" ""'"^ °'"« *" '*« object and
birds beneficial to agSLe^ 1 it"J ^^^^^ in,s. ctivorous and other
beneficial to agricultu e n anV o- er sin . f/"'*'"'^"'^ ^^ ^" ^"^^ "^^* ^'^^s are
value of the wSrds '' the" b"rd In the ti rf'lV'^A^f''' "'""^ '"^^'^^y' ^^'
■;Iear, however, that it was for a ', n ' < « ■ *^! ^''^ '^ ''"^ ^'^'^^ P''^"^- I* ^^
that the Act was passed The Imd '^t . T^T\ *° fyr^"^*'"-"." and no other,
therefore, be b rds i,Sr ivoro ^i a L I ; '"l'"'^;^ and desired to protect must
protecti.A on economical grounds '^'"'•^''''' ^'^ «</n-cu;^«re, and dcB rving of
c4;s H^rto^d^rln;n^iSst\T^?"t"^^i^'*^ ^^^-^ ^ -*"-' -
whole inferior creatil Ind tS Oo,n J ' ^'^' *^^*" ^^''^ -^^''^^ *" ™^» "^^^ tl^«
instar^.e, other tlian the one nouest^f""''™ '^"v"''^ '^^^ *" """d a Binglo
, thi« .,•„),." „„!. "„^'"A"^'*'.""'.«« ^^J^^ ' anadian legislation is concerned,
hitiuii; to the capturjng of
,.,i • XI • ■ V . '° '" "luesiion, so lar u* ( anad
whereui this right is revoked or terminated. tL. laws
hsh or the kil iufr of <rame ar^ i ■.n,]nH,Z i ^"'^'.'"•wa .vmu, w uiv capturing ot
a certain time, in < rderttat h r^^ mav ^^ T^ "sT'^ ^'^'''^ "' "" certaui way o? at
Yet, exceptional as he In ec vor fs llTx f '^ ""' ^T' *" ^'" '^^ ^""*^''' t™«-
averred ttat iK.ther the cXc ^e wLoml^^ nature, it May be safely
any naturalist, or any body of nituTSt^in fl P = '^*"'^" ')?'' '"'^ researches of
the Act was passed, Lr siLe! iavmi/^-Sl ^^'^ "^ ^"^-'i"' ««^-l. -hen
such iacts in would iustif\ i Ipmil r,,.;,,;".^"" •" "i ''^*'="'-'"t'' accuracy, or even upon
in a sense benefiiiaUo aSiiuItufe.^ "" judgment, what is an insectivorous bird
I
•"'il
172
ONTARIO AORICULTUUAL COMMISSION.
I
The Legislaturo, by a wholesome indusion, in the protecting clauses of the Act
of nearly tT>e wh.,lo family of biras. ha. essayed a short cut th?uu«h the difficulty
The Act exempts froui protootu.n only «an.o birds, cage birds, or poultry, and eagles'
falcons, hawks, owls, wild p.geons, king -fishers, jays, crows, and ravnT Save?ami
except, for soient.tic nuri.oses, under a special license from the Commissioner of
Agriculture, no other bird must be shot, captured, or in any way moU-sted, and the
birds eggs are as sacred as the birds thomselves in the eye of the law. A fortiori
every one of the protected binls is declared to be insectivorous in a sense beneficial
to agriculture, and no man is entitled even to defend his own property against their
ravages by shooting them, although they be detected in the ict {,f siaRnwirg the
last cherry on his tree, or the lust grapo on his vines.
After obtaining the best evidence at their command, the Commissioners are
unable to suggest any very satisfactory dassiHcati.-n of birds, according to habits or
utility J hey behove that the services of birds, as destroyers of insects, are greath
..ver-mted and that, as indicated in the previous chapter, asnistance must be sought
from friendly insects aided by human vigilancM and scientific knowledge, for relief
against the ravages of injurious species, rather than from birds, They have evidence
too, that grievous injury is ofton done to the interests of the fruit grower by birds
whose rapacity m undeniable, but whoso claim to be insectivorous, in any appreciable
degree, is, to say the least, extremely problematical.
The witnesses available on this subject were few in number, ornithoh)gy bein-
a branch of natural science to which, in this country, little attention has yet been
fult / •f.^TA^'I^.K ''u"^ examined gave their evidence with '.Teat c.tution, and
fully admitted the difhculties of coming, on many points, to a satislactory conclusion
The Commissioners regret that they had not an opportunity of personally ex;uninin«
the Rev. Vincent Clementi and Dr. Gamier, whose answers are L'iven in reply to
printed questions-more especially as regards the last named gentleman, whose
replies somewhat emphatic m their tone, might, perhaj.s, have been modified on
the reflections sugges ed by an interchange of views v ith others, in that kind uf
encoura"e"d ""^ investigations, the Commissioners have always
Between Messrs. W. E. Saunders Brodie, and Clementi, the differences of
opinion are not very startling. Mr. W. E. Saunders and Mr. Brodie both proceed
on the plan of examining the contents of the stomachs of birds, in order to decide
on the character of the food consumed \-^y them. It is next to impossible to come
to any determination, on this point, by watching th*; movements of many birds
while feeding. Only by careful and continuous study of a bird's habit.s, supple
mented by numerous post mortem examinations, can even an approximate iudr'nient
be arrived at ; and, when the presence of insect remains is conclusively established
the most accomplished entomologist, aided by a powerful microscope, will often be
puzzled to decide whether the fragments of legs or wings discernible belong to an
injurious or beneficial insect. ^
BIROS FEEDING ON THE WINQ.
Mr. W. E. Saunders in his evidence takes, first, birds that feed exclusively uii
the wing and are therefore insectivorous in the sense of living entirely on insects
Among these, he classes the fly-catchers, of which the king-bird (Tyrannns carolin-
enstn) and peewec (Sayornis fnscus) are the commonest varieties, feeding largely on
flies ; the night-hawks (Chordeilcs popetne), which eat flying-ants, niglit-flymL' mciths
and flies, in large quantities ; and swallows (Hirundinidce,) whose food is of much
the same character as the others. Mr. Brodie is in accord with Mr. W E Saunders
on these points, including also the whip-poor-will (Antrostomus vociferus) "in the list
The bald fact, that these birds make their food of insects, and of insects exclusivelv'
IS well-nigh beyond question. But, on the other hand, it is not pretended that thev
discriminate between the beneficial and injurious species. The swallow or king-bird
chasing even an injurious insect in the air. may be really only pursuing a creature
Eireavi^- uiarKeu lor deata uy a friendly little paraiiite, wiiose whole progeny are
sacrificed by the action of a bird presumably " beneficial to agriculture " Still as
I8C8 of the Act,
1 tliu dilliculty.
try, Hnd eagles,
ns. Save, and
)niiiiiBBi(>nor of
U'Bted, and the
iw. A fortiori
JoiiBe beneticial
iy against their
iwaliowing the
niissioners are
ng to liabitB or
cts, are greatly
nust be souglit
ijdgo, for relief
have evidence,
rower by birds
ny appreciable
ithology being
haa yet been
t c.iution, and
iry concluBion.
illy t'x:unining
in in reply to
luman, whoso
1 modified on
that kind of
1 have always
diflferencea of
both proceed
rdcr to decide
isiblo to come
f many birds
iibits, supple-
ate judgment
y established,
will often be
belong to an
xclusively on
ly (m insects.
mnns carolin-
ng largely on
flying moths,
d is of much
E. Saunders
•■s) in the list.
9 exclusively,
led that they
or king-bird,
ig a creature
progeny are
e." Still, as
INSECTIVOnOVS BriiDS. 173
the«o birds do no direct mlHchief, and ai thoy do undoubtedlv eat a .zroaf m»nv
nox.ouB .nsect., they may be ungrudgingly left'to the"eijoymZ .^f prot'ec^
BIKDS PARTLY KKEDINO ON THE WIXO.
th.. w!nJ3 naitW.;^r^i.7'n"''*'""^ "''^'''^"' "'""" ^'""'^ ^-^^e their food partly on
Kr aler ^than usi^of ^^'^V^^""" "'7'^"'!' '" «" in«ectivorouB sense, being 'probably
Eaof«r n r • • *''«/'^"V"'' class by reason of their insect food being of a
Sv r^n^ agriculturist or fruit grower than the sWie.
few'^nsec^tslrthe win'. ^m;"i '■"■'■" V^'Z\' ohioAy taking its food on trees, eating a
low instctB on the wing the larvio of ninths, and the eggs of insects •
warhlrr T '' ^'''""'''"''' '*'*""""^' «^ ^^^^'^^ ^^^^ ""'"''r lo those of the yellow
K„n!'''" J'"'-.«y«'l and warbling vireos (Fireo oUvacens and Vireo oil mi,) also busv
n^cnlC^t' '"'"'^ ''' '^' -i^-«-. considered entirely insecdvl^us • ^
ine cntknoa (Cocci/ juH omrncanns and C. mifkropthalnua), one of which shot hv
the witness, had a stomach full of tent cater,. liars ; ^
insectivorous;' ^''''"'" ''"'"^' "'^''"^'' "'*'"''' ** *'™"' * '^^ ''"^'' " """""y
The nuthatch (Sittu carolinensis) , of which Mr. E. W. Saunders says —
lifHiI r„,t ""fr^"'"*' year. When it does eat luiythum' but n«ect food, it seems to urefer tho
t^LSy fi^K'^n;';;!::;^ SSiaffira^;;^^:^- -^ ^- - ^^ ^^^^^^
woodllkor 7,;";\f .'^'^"'' f="nily. the latter including the high-holder, the red-headed
wooajwcker, the hairy woodi.ecker, and the downy woodpecker.
class Mr W TT'"'] ''^ *•'" ^^'?,"''P«ckors (Pu-idce), which also come under this
bd <' with I;L^v'" ■' ^V>" "" *''"• ^''•^^ "'^'"'^'^ "1^ *'> thi« P»i»t the credit of
Si::c;rousat:lftimeT"'^'"'" "^«^«*'^— "' the fullest sens^, in other words,
slich^WHlH^^'f^ respects the second cla^ just enumerated, express an opinion
S!ffilStsLy:r '"™ *^'' ''' ^" ^- E- Saunders'as r'espects thcPblue-
or ^JL^fZi'^'i '^ ^S^ KVT'c'''''^'^ ^'^^ ^^"^^'''^ ^'th a greater appetite for grain
or seeds than does Mr. W. E Saunders, but the difference is not an inportant one.
catetilars VrH"',^'- ^^ ^^ fr^l''' '''^'''' ^'"^ ^^'^ an appetite for ten
ki^TMr rtn^ f?'T'*''^ .^^" ^^^^' ^"'^^^y «" grasshoppers and soft
tirdlamntfr f ' '''"^' a"mnng hwn to eat berries occasionally, claims for him
w tnesLi . n ''''P "'"^"^ ^\''^' *"^ ^^^ ^'^'^'^^^^ i« ** «n« with all the other
witnesses as to the cuckoo's general usefulness,
nuthTt.h nn^'fl'*' ^^^"^ *" uu a"y disagreement about the habits and utility of the
bird k in ?n . "''Tl' f *^?=^ ^^'' Commissioners are not acquainted with any
Dr G^rnLr. "^'"'^^''*' ^^ *^" "^'"^ *^^ ^^^ *' worm-eating vireo," mentioned by
r)Pr«^.na .v^'^^ '* '^ pleasant to point out instances where the evidence of several
fesn ct to'lT" '/* 1 "r \''' *^^ '^"'y "^ *^"^«*^ ^h» "-^^i^w it, to refer, with all
uon. What birds have you found to be iHsectivorom at all times :'" Mr. Clementi
among others, mentions robins ; while Dr. Gamier replies :- ^lementi,
wnn,'i',^"i^""'' l'i'"«^i''^»» t^^e finches, warblers, cuckoos, crows, all sorts of blackbirds iavR
rwalte '"'' *''''"'^"' ""'^'^' ™^' flycatchers, cherry bikls (called ced^rS^^
il
11
174
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
hasdlJ^penJed.'^""'*'''" ''*' ""* '^l^^^'ly ""derstood or the answer was surely too
As to the robin his fruit-eating propensities are testified to by every fruit
Gr5urin""Zl^V.i' ^^^'^^'^^T''' Y^^'« ^"« insectivorous tastesVe c Linly
kept during most of the year, greatly in the background. His character and habits
^.11 be discussed herea ter. But Dr. Gamier answers himself when he names
fS" TkhaX""*^" ir^f^fr'^ ^'^^ "^ *^« ^"'^^^ "mosrdestnrctive to
tfmes " ^ '' ^'^ "^'''"" *^^* ^^ ^" ^ ^''■'l " "^-i^tivorous at all
Passing oyer the bluebird, the next on Dr. Garnier's list i. 'the finches"
or"gSn Sin" Lalf i/is'thT 'if'^' '°^'-^'-^^^^ ^^^''^ ^^^ provided .^tli a seed
Lkms of naturP 1 f nVf - "?''' ^"'^ '' \', "°^ P''^^^^^^ *hey so far mistake the
designs ot nature as to be insectivorous at all times," even if, to some extent thpv
treat themselves now and then to insectivorous delicacies ' ^
Admitting the merits and usefulness of warblers and cuckoos it is next sua
gested that crows and blackbirds are "insectivorous at all t mes " Dr Garng;
LToFSm t%':ZT'''T ""' ;^\b-^*/"end3 of the farmer,'' and tiifloot!
ing ot nim as a crime. It would be interesting^ to know-not whether with
the aid o a glass the Doctor saw or thought he sliw a crow eSg a po aL bS
but-whether he has ever found, a crow's stomach, a single cut-worm or those
«b?/n f '^^'''P*'^ ^"'P'^^^ «° confidently of the crow devouring. In he
absence of a very positive assurance of such decisive proof, it is not easy to discredit
all previously ascertained facts as to the habits of the crow, a Wrd which eJ^n the
Ses."' ^''''^ '^" Insectivorous Birds Act, has ikt to the mercy of its
'.hnt^t^: ^''^'' '^r?* were possible to believe everybody had hitherto been wrona
about the crow Dr. Garnier's own further statement would surely conflict wiTli his
assertion that the crow is " insectivorous at all times," "one of the armeT's be t
friends," "a most useful bird to the farmer,'' and " hannles^' for i™nswer to
the further question, _" VVhat birds are most destructive to gra'^a ?" he says "/^
Home localities, crows, m all localities blackbirds of all sorts " ^ '
Yet even more extraordinary is the statement that the jay is " insectivorous at
kirf' ^""*^«'' bird which is left to its fate by the Legislature and whTh k
Coming back to the list of birds in the second class, Mr. W. E Saunders dis-
cusses the character of the woodpecker family. He says :- ^aunaers ais-
,«,/IlTi!^;.°?T°"^^*-.^y ^,*'' •'" .*^'^ ''^'=*'°" '« the red-headcl woodpecker IMalanerves
erythrocephalus), and it is beoinn ng to be generally considered ininri ,,» ^.J„„i. n ^
account of its habit of destroying so^much frfit ' fr^doeHot e V^i " "^
fact where there, is fruit to be had it prefers it. The fruits which I hav" f, undTn thdr crons
are chiefly cherries and apples. On the whole, I have not studied them sXientlv to dve
TJT''1 "^V"" '^K'u^^'' *^'-^ are injurious or beneficial, but where thTy are abundant I
should certainly say they were injurious on account of their destroying so much fruit! "
He adds of this rather dubious member of the group :
11 " \ ^"" V *'j^"ih *h^,^*,.^ ^^?V^^ protect them so stringently that parties should not be
allowed to shoot them, if they think it necessary to do so for the protection of the"r crops -'
nn I'rif "^^ *-S'^ Iiighholder (Colaptes auratus), he regards his occasional attacks
on cherries and other fruits, as more than counterbalanced by his services in
devouring insects. Of the hairy and downy varieties, he says :—
"The hairy and downy woodpeckers {Pieus viUosm and Ptras »«6r.wn,<!) are called san
suckers,, though there is very little satisfactory foundation fcr the idea tLtTheylnh retrees
by sucking he sap. The nuthatch and yellow-bellied woodpecker are geLr^ inXdedfn
the same category. The last named is perhaps injurious in that respect. '"ciuaeU in
+!,« * ' "^''^ never seen any injury done to trees from the punctures made by these birds and
the trees upon which they have been operating genera% appear to be perfectly heaithv
From the number of holes which they make in the tree, f should say that if their purS
INSECTIVOROUS BIBDS.
175
was surely too
by every fruit
s are certainly
iter and habits
len he names
destructive to
;tivorous at all
'the finches."
id with a seed
ir mistake the
le extent, they
it is next sug-
Dr. Gamier
md the shoot-
whether with
; a potato bug
voTin or those
iring. In the
5y to discredit
hich even the
I mercy of its
o been wrong
iiflict with his
farmer's best
in answer to
tie says, "In
lectivorous at
and which is
woodpeckers,
t reconsidera-
the credit of
Saunders dis-
ir [Malanerpes
principally on
3on insects— in
in their crops
liently to give
re abundant I
\i fruit."
should not be
;heir crops."
ional attacks
I services in
are called sap-
iy injure trees
ly included in
lese birds, and
ectiy healthy,
their purpose
were to obtain sap the trees would die. I think that these classes of birds, with perhaps the
exception of the red-headed woodpecker, are, on the whole, beneficial."
Mr. Brodie, of these birds, says: — "The Picidae (woodpeckers) are insectivor-
ous, with few exceptions."
" Woodpeckers are injurious to cherries and sweet apples, when these fruits are ripe.
Some time ago, in Whitchurch, there was great difficulty in keeping sweet apples from being
destroyed by woodpeckers, I think that the apple attacked at that time was natural fruit, a
aeedhng."
He says further on : —
"Woodpeckers, as well as other insectivorous birds, feed on pupse of insects. I have
found in a number of cases the cocoons of the Cecropia killed by woodpeckers. In the fall of
1867 I collected in Whitchurch over a hundred Cecropia cocoons, and there were only three
hving among them. The others were all punctured by woodpeckers. The pupae of arctians
are preyed upon by the yellow- winged woodpecker. "
But while giving them credit for these good services, he is obliged to add : —
" The hairy woodpecker, the downy woodpecker, and the red-headed woodpecker are all
objectionable, because they destroy fruit."
Mr. Clementi says of the woodpeckers, in answer to a question as to their fruit-
eating habits : —
"I think only the red-headed, which devours apples, pears, and cherries. Some, such as
the golden-winged, red-bellied, and pileated, eat Indian corn occasionally. The golden-
winged may eat cherries occasionally, but the only one really fond of fruit is the red-headed."
Dr. Gamier credits the woodpecker with feeding on the curculio, although that
is not the opinion of other witnesses. Dr. Garnier's statement that he found the
stomach of a downy woodpecker full of curculios is startling, for no witness before
the Commission has been able to credit any wild bird with a disposition to reduce
the numbers of that insect pest.
The point is one that has long engaged the attention of entomologists. Dr.
Trimble, of New Jersey, who made a long and patient investigation of this subject,
and who is author of a work on the curculio, once found some insect remains in a
bird's stomach, which he came to the conclusion must be those of a curculio. But
his conclusions were disputed by his brother entomologists, and no other scientist —
until the extraordinary spectacle of a woodpecker with a stomach full of them was
presented to the eyes of Dr. Gamier — has ever found even traces of the curculio in
the r.tomach of a bird.
GROUND FEEDERS.
The birds that take their food almost or altogether exclusively on the ground,
including the thrush family, of which the most uncommon are the robin {Turdus
migratorim), the tawny thrush {Turdus Juscesceus), the brown thrush (Harpor-
hxjnchus rufus), and the cat bird (Galeoscoptes caroliimms). Of the habits of the
robin, Mr. W. E. Saunders says : —
" From my examination of the stomach of the robin, I have not much to say in their
favour. Out of perhaps twelve to twenty stompchs which T have examined, only abont one-
third to one-fourth were found to contain insects in any l.u|,'e numbers, and these only at a
time when they could not obtain fruit. The insects were chiefly Coleoptera. I also found
quite a large number of earth worms. When they cannot get fruit, I should say that their
softer food is chiefly earth worms. I do not remember finding any caterpillars in their crops
though more thorough search might reveal them. This spring we had a great abundance of a
brown grub, called the cut-worm, which is very destructive to early crops, but I never found
one of them in the robin's stomach.
' ' Of the beetles of which I found fragments in their stomachs, I recognized several times
apedmens of the Carabida, which are very beneficial by feeding on injurious insects. .
" At the time when the rol)ins were feeding on fruit, I found a small portion of insect
remains in their stomachs— perhaps about ten per cent. ; but when they can get fruit,
especially cherries, they prefer it.
"I have noticed extensive mischief done by them-, when thev are numerfiua. ear)sci.allv to
cherries, of which, between them and the cherry bird, not half a crop was gathered. Tliey
feed largely, too, on raspberries when that fruit is in season, and the cat bird also eats rasp-
berrieB. It belongs to the thrush family. They do not attack strawberries very much,
176
ONTAHIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
Mr. Brodie says of them :—
mens sent to mr the other datTn^fL nil ^**''" ^'^ '^ ^5''»* ^'^t^"*" ^ *?"* » ^^w speci-
a«h, and I have o.ten taken themlith a count nTTf "'^T"^. ^'*^ ''^;',"«« "^ *he mountain
but I have got sometime" thre^ To V3.*''''.^^^ "™*"y there is only one,
<le»truci„a to fruit, .r= the ced.r bird, iC Shi and ti"woo<IpeSor> ' " "''''• """
Mr. Dempsey says : —
expoiLr ar^Jthet:EStle?\sTha^ '"?'•" '^"^'^' I'"* ^ ^^^^^ I^'^'^ ^-'^e - «ad
by robins." ^ ^ '*"''^' "^^ ^ ^'^^^ ^^^ nearly my whole crop of grapes destroyed
Mr. Arnold remarks : —
ptam.""! ""•'.°'' Th,''r!,brnf»rrl,t''d.Ttr,Ti!' "?" "^f"? "■«' -"^'""5. in«l>.ding
cherry until No.embLThevSaTalUhri™.' 'j°.^ Wi'linit ripening of the e»rlie.t
the Early May cherry, which T, at thfa UomStfi.Sf ""» ""F ?'?« <»'«■ I have a tree of
a partlcl, of fl'e,h „„ them The robii, and ohirv hS k""™1 "i* cherry alone,, with not.
fnily protected by law, bVt'ts^rfSercflXSpXdr.fe ^1^^^^%^:.
0ha^„,'!f,'^4"at'^r„wIr.''Slf?'t'.; th^r"' *M-ken.ie Ross, and .M.
of the ^obin, w1,ile hi^^iZSio^l'^ZS^^r^TT^ »penence of the ravage.
appreciable. ^^ ^'^* *^^y ^** anything else to an extent to be
^^IS^^t^tf^^}^^::^ .-"''-' particularly the crow black-
sense beneficial, are on Z Z.ft^r^l:;^^:^^^:^^':^^^^ ^ problematical
inseltirolt' dTSe TJttote rd'v' Tl f"™ the^Sties of the law if
number of the more usefufbfrdM; W E S'^'*.' are destructive to a large
bird is as follows :- ' ^' launders' description of the cow
«ay S^rdeSdlyln?^^^^^^^^^ in other birds' nests, and I should
''^ 'PTh^T^un'/o^^^^"' anJoctSl^^^^^^^^^ -«*« "^ -^^^ birds, such as
ep are lard."an7L b ^re dlToK'tef "^ *^" f''"^^ "^*''« ^'^^ '» -'>"- -st its
the rightful tenants of tre „e tX of starvattn l^ZHX' *''" '•««"lt K^nerally is that
young cow birds of large size aW with the Z;nJnff^ '•*''?* "^^"^^ ^^^"^ *'^1« *« «nd
kinds of eggs are found in ThpTm^ „ f t^ ."."?u °^ 'heir foster parents, though the two
absorb the!^tire attention of the fi mother S^ fw *? '^^ '*°' *^?^ thf intm£
to a distance. On account of tl^^ese habits I shmilH t. t } ^i''^^ ^^^ generally carried away
rious. The cow bird geneiallv kvs on l Ll^ • ^ that the cow bird is decidedly inju-
eggs of the owner andTvfof thTcow^birrbufc I^^LTh'-^!^' ^'l'*? (""P'^ nests with two
different birds. T hav» "« .-d"" ' t^^ --- '■ • * ^'^""^'^ J"'^^^ that the latter were l.,.!d h^
tion of insectivoroua-bi-rds; tho^gh^^ra^s ^ne^Sr^'^telotd^o^iLTo'f T^^^^^^^^^ ^^^-
re I.'iiil htr
INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. 177
Mn W. E. baunders speaks very cautiously about the English sparrow but he
destroys'trbSMS^nlts'^^*^^^^^ or that it
used to breed every year, were thfs vear tXn nn« • ^""Tx "^^f ^ ^^^ ^^"« ''^"ied swallow
that the number oLl^ICT^^tirslt^^i'^Z^^^^^^^^ -t say
Mr. Brodie says, the sparrow has been found to destrov thp frnJf h,,A. ^f *i,
Mr. Leslie, of Toronto, who sees them in flocks of hundreds, says •-
though?canr,tShat ryXLTlt? Thel°/r ^ ^'^^ T" ^l?^^ ^^ -* ^-t-ctive
and do not appear us«a l^to <.nve vardrEfh« *^^
sumed a field of oats befeng to rjnt£^^^^^^ Fro.n the fact that the- con!
yards from the fence, I should sfythey^aregrlminivC^^^^^^^ '^' distance of abouC mo
insect, thousfh Mr Allan of finHorinK ;iV , " , "*^® ^^^""^ seen them touoli ^n
cabbages in hisTarden T 1 snan „w L ^ ?""' "^^ ''>.'^^they devoured the worms oKih
many^valuable binK It is. howeT^r L insectW^^^^ ""f^ ' -"V-^ ^"^«« ''^^^y ^ S""-
more than to birds. " ' ""^ ^^ '""''* ^"o'^ ^ '^f i-el'verance from insects
.ua:;!?L«--i^^ij^;«Sa^-i;rircri^^
BayB^-^*'"'"' *'^'' *^' "PP""^'^ ^^«^' ^^ ^^' ""'^^^S be clearly understood. He
?n fnlfct^n'^^liroSe^^^'^I^:;!^^^^^ their youn. entirely
nmaense quantities of larva of Bpiderj! '' '^''^** ^'^^'^ ""^ ''^t ^^^'^^ ^t devours
ben«fif f7.t^.«f !?: ;:iV-« int.-Iuction uf the English sparrow likely to be a
"It " t'"" I "■' "("''' ""'"^ ^ " ^'^^'' " '"^ "^'' ' " ^'® ^*^'* •""
U8 all win'terran^ eatsVraKeSor^ub ' ' """^ '*''""*« ^"'^ bluebirds, and stops with
-J
iT
,'i<
;f
178
ONTARIO AGBICULTUBAL COMMISSION.
I; !l
Si '■
III
Now the statement tliat Dr. Garnier never saw a sparrow in a grain field is too
strictly negative testimony to found a judgment upon", in face of the positive fact
of the sparrows' depredations in the field of oats seen by Mr. Leslie. Dr. Garniei-
asserta, however, that the sparrows "devour iuuuense quantities of the larv«e of
spiders." A spider is not in an agricultural sense injurious, but quite the reverse.
So that, if the sparrow did eat the larvae of spiders, it would be mischievous, not
beneficial. It happens, however, that the spider haa no " larvae." It does not exist
in the larval state at any period of hJs life, but its young are produced from eggs in
a perfect condition.
More difficult is it to arrive at a conclusion on Dr. Garnier's testimony when
his opinion, as to the generally beneficial effect of the introduction of the sparrow,
is taken in connecticm with his account of its dispob.aon and habits. He says the
introduction of the English sparrow is likely to be a benefit to the farmer, and adds,
apparently as an explanation or reason, " It bosses the poor swallows and bluebirds,
and stops with us all winter and eats grain for subsistence."
Now, as there is neither seed grain, nor standing crop to be attacked in the
•winter, the sparrow can do no harm in that sense at that season. But what good it
does by being a grain eater at any time is quite incomprehensible.
By "bossing the poor swallows and bluebirds," is probably meant what other
writers describe more definitely, namely, that the sparrow harasses and drives away
or dispossesses those birds.
Dr. Gamier, however, says of the bluebird, " This bird destroys diptera more
than any other sort, as 1 liave watched a pair feeding their young in my garden, and
they bring all sorts, as lacewings and caterpillars especially."
Lacewings and caterpillars do not belong to the class diptera but to neuroptera
and /ej:>i(ioju^e)(( respectively, and the lacewings deserve to rank among our best
friends, since, in the larval state, they devour immense quantities of plant lice.
Still, the consumption of lacewings and Ci.terpillars is evidently regarded by Dr.
Gamier as a meritorious habit. Besides, the bluebirds are of the species said by
Dr. Gamier to be "insectivorous at all times." How then can the farmer be
benefited by the bluebird being persecuted or expelled from its haunts I The
swallow, too, is admitted by everyone to be exclusively insectivorous. What benefit
can result to the farmer from his expulsion i yet the only meaning it is possible to
attach to the statement is that the farmer is benefited by birds presumably most
beneficial being driven away by a bird that is only insectivorous in a very modified
sense, and who, if his chief food be spiders or their young, ia himself injurious.
The Commissioners have come to the conclusion that too little is as yet known
of the probable effects of introducing the sparrow to express a decided opinion on its
advantages or otherwise. They can discern jio appreciable benefit from its presence ;
there are indications that its tendencies are harmful, and, while they would be sorry
to see any step taken hastily for its extermini.tion, they can discover no sufficient
reason for any protective legislation in its behalf.
The cherry bird, known also as the cedar bird or waxwing, is a bird condemned
as an incorrigible thief by every fruit grjwer. His injuries to the fruit crop are
even appraised at a nigher rate than those of the robin. Mr. W. E. Saunders eays
of him : —
" I have never found the waxwing feeding en insects. Most fJirds feed their young on in-
sects, but I am not sure with regard to it, and am rather inclined to think that insect food
forms a very small proportion of its diet, because, just as soon as the young can fly from the
the nest, they go to the late cherry trees and devour fruit. On the whole, I regard it as an
injurious bird."
Mr. Brodie sets him down as a fruit eater. Mr. Clementi says, in answer to the
question. " Does the cherry bird {Ampelis cedrorum) eat any appreciable quantity
of insects?' "I think not. They catch some flying insects when they cannot
obtain berries. They are most destructive to fruit although they are enemies to the
canker worm."
Dr. Garnier, hov ever, says :~
'* It (the ccJar bird) is truly a fly-catcher, and catches them exactly as a fly-catcher, perch-
field is too
)08itive fact
Dr. Garniei"
he larvae of
the reverse,
liovous, not
»e8 not exist
rom eggs in
imony when
he sparrow,
He says the
r, and adds,
i bluebirds,
icked in the
v^hat good it
what other
drives away
iptera more
garden, and
I neuroptera
ng our best
' plant lice,
rded by Dr.
jies said by
I farmer be
imts I The
Vhat benefit
possible to
niably most
iry modified
urious.
1 yet knf>wn
linion on its
ts presence ;
laid be sorry
lo sufficient
condemned
jit crop are
unders says
young on in-
.t insect food
fly from the
gard it as an
iswer to the
le quantity
hey cannot
jniies to the
tcher, peroh-
INSECTiyOROUS BIRDS. 179
*),„*. unprotected by law, the owl is probably cne-perhaps the only one-
that has reason to complain of its treatment. Its food consists iSy of Sfan^
bat^Lp^|:^f?^s;^s:^l;^t;xs^^^^
account of their nocturnal habits, are not so liabi; to the attacks ocLIumms "
workfS cSatn TouM no ^-^Til^'r^ ^^e love of every true ^cirntfst f"; The
Td squirrels L^r^JrlT^S ^\^'^J P^otec mg birds, but extend it to toads
aiiu squirrels. Jiut he lias no faith m birds as protectors against insects for he s-ivs
at the close of h.s evidence, in answer to a question put to him a^to what plans he
would suggest as a mean, of protection agaiust insect ravages"- ^
areas f„ro"„e^ or m'orV ielJ^'^'^af'^" *° P'""""'' t"«.°"l«vatiou of affected crops over affected
(7)ConJtCrihluJ:;^ e ■ ^®^'l^"•. C'^ Kilhog injurious insects n the imaL'o fonn onlv
Ihl pitffma^ire'an^^^ ^""^ ^'^''"' *^-> - -^^^^'^ receptacles. ToXi
fore%n"&srcts1'' hoXfc-"''* ''^''''''' '^^^"^*^«« ^" *^^ ^^ «^ -*-^-»g
measure of 8ucc8b"."° **'^* '"'""*' ""^^ ^' ^^""^^^ ^'""^ distant countries with a large
inseltf r«ult^bi;it "'"'i:^f *^ •' encouragement of parasitic or beneficial
insects a p.iramount object m combating injurious species?" he sayn •—
Mr. Bethune holds very similar opinion ■», as his evidence shows whilo he is
"tKi-thtve";^." r.^;;? :r°"'«"'» -»« "- *<- »>-» =« Sg„':j
ggiiiii^
^"^cHmCi^^n' *° ''"■'• ^ *^'"^ ""'^ ^^-^^^ '^'^'^'^1*^ ^«"ld «"«« f^-'^ any such ^t^^S
At the close of
Mr William Saunders enters more largely into this question,
rufi e'/idence iie says : —
!,„,. r,^" ^'^'" *® "'^ experience has gone, and it has been tolerably extensive in thi.- maffar T
i Ao or three examples ' ^ "'■ -" ^'"^'-" "^ "^'"^ ^^^ "'^"""^^ ''efBr to
.ck:^Lt;=r^x-s s?L SiAcs "^^^^
ill
r''J
180
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
about, and when they could easily catch and devour it. The larva feeds in exnosed situations
on cabbage leaves, wtiere the birds could readily discover it if they wanted to'^do so It is a
f rom ?h JJn^^ ^r> '""f ^' °"! ^''"^^ ^?"^y ^'"' ^''^'^^ ^"»ld like to feed on ; yet this insect?
ovpr «n J» rf"''*V-" *"* """^ ^'; *r ^Pf^'mens at Quebec, has spread until it s now abundant
Atlando (Wn fn f ' v^ ^'iT Alabama in the south to Lake Superior in the north, and from the
i^SororsTirrabrnd^ "'^^ '"*^"* '° '^' "««'-'*" '™— '"^^^^ -- -^ch
Onta'rJ^and''Ht'nnll*'?;'Tl"K'""' ^'^ "^^^"^ ^ ^"^r^ ^^"^^^ 'L'^^^^'^' ^^ »* "^es ve.-y prevalent in
• ^"*'?5J^V *"'• *'^« "ily bird I have ever known to devour this insect is the cuckoo.
ran hnn» f ^t""*".^ ^^ iK'!"- "'^'l"^ attacks the cabbage butterfly is the only means by which we
keen^nrit u,»l^ 7n *„^''* ""'"'*• , ^' ^''? K^P'^'^y y^^" controlled it in feurope, and it is now
so Sll H . u *''?.^ number of localities in this country, and this parasite is spreading
^mTeSjtotrse'rsevn;" ^^^^^^ so far control the injurious cabbage butterfl/ that i!
-8o'm^,"oh''^'!Vh!f^tl''^" ""T^ abundant in the neighbourhood of London during the spring
in- nuS " , Ifll^ have devoured cabbages in enormous quantities, and consumed flower-
ins plants, laving a special fancy apparently for pansies. They move about earlv in the
^crirch^thrf ''"'''^ T '^' 'y^T^', ^^^^.'^^y ^^'^ ^^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^ablt of^scratcEg a iVttle could
Sed d^ ril 'rt""* ""? '" the day-time. I had a number of birds shot and their crops ex-
B^t on thp n?h!^ »F 7'"^'^ °T *^'' "■■'""'■ '^".'^ ^ '=?"''^ ""* «"^1 ""« •» the crop of any Gird I
mothritu^ftLtlnL^^fV^^^^^^ anumber of the larv^ with the view of breeding the
fhp k;v J ,^ T- ^'^.""^^^ ^'th parasites that I did not get a single moth, so that, although
rLe andaTrth,'v!'.'hfr^^ abundant, the moths proceeding from them we're comparativdy
;,??, *'' through the agency, not of the birds, but of the parasites.
atKrl- ,,f 1?/i?"'t^^"." is another instance of the spread of an insect peculiarly exposed to the
wav if w rif" ftS' *" ^^'•^? *^°"* '=",'■1'''''^ "^"^hes all day long; it does not hide in any
recimenof if nlV?•''^^''^"'*' y^^L^^-o.^l^ tnink birds woultl eatVbut I have not found a
c '.CrbnffpVfl. ^^f^'^'^^r-'^- ?-^\' msect has spread to almo.t as great an extent as the
fii^^V li i > ^' \i*hout being checked at all by insectivorous birds. There is no parasite
within t'f"ids^ numbers yet to any extent, but with the use of hellebore we are able to keep it
of th'l^hi?)r*T'!i"''"-f *he occasional abundance of insects to any diminution in the number
rL il^lf , 1 V" f? satisfied that we have to look to the insect world to control that part of
wor w.\hnnli "^^'f^ •' destructive to our crops. If the birds, many or few, were doing this
Jrea ^r woSi 1 fh ^'""Z "^ *.u^ ^''^^ "f ■"^t"''' •=''?P«' '"^"^ ^''e smaller the number of birds the
greater would be the proof, as they would have all the more to eat.
Swallow! pn^'Lh'"'^ "^'^^^ ^^ J^"'}^ '^'*'' "■^^^'''^ *" *he Hes,ian fly and the wheat midge,
bwallows and other insectivorous birds may occasionally devour a few of these small mid-es
overrtif'%"h^™"^°^'ST'^ i^^ probability is that their work in this direction hTs teen
win knnt„ ,\^ '"'^''1^^ *« these few instances because the insecos I have mentioned are
rrroundld by birds! ''*"""* controverted that they have largely increased even when
H«r.rilf'''l°"^u H^j ""T"? ^° ^!^ ^'",^^ unnecessarily destroyed, but I think that well known
depredat.)rs should not le protected under a false plea to the injury of the fruit grower I do
S?*f ^^Tu^ **Jf robin and cherry bird should be protected any more than the jay or the butcher
wl^lt • . "*'*^ ^° *"y ™V^ harm than the robin and cherry bird do. Certainly their
devoured" "" ^''^''■P'^'^''* *° ^^^ ^^^ «^ *he fruit grower as the work of these persistent fruit
In these remarks the Commissioners fully concur. Why the fruit grower should
have to stand idly by, nor dare, under the fear of legal penalties, to protect his own
property from destruction; why he should be, in fact, the sole exception to the
universal right of self-protection, is incomprehensible. At least m his own grounds,
and against notorious offenders, he should be entitled to act summarily.
BEE FARMING.
181
CHAPTER VII.
BEE FAEMING.
carried on by sevclal peraons wi h imfnf """T Tf,"' ^''^^^"'' ^* ^^« ^^«n
methods, andf of late tim^ ver^ satiifioTrl-^'lf intelhgence, upon improved
attended' thes'e efforts. To day The Prlv^^^^^^^ can nrotS h' "^' ? ^'^ "^^*""^^^'
connection with this industry &aLhitJr^Ll\^-^^ ^"^^^ ""^ operations, in
any part of the world. ^' ^ ^"'^ enterprising as are to be found in
The Commissioners have noticed with pleasure the formation of ^-Rc.v
Association, and have no douhf tha h^^ „,„=* """ic nuj lonnanon ot a ±5ee-Keepers
During one of the sittings of the Commissioners, at Toronto Mr T) A t
VARIETIES OF BEES.
ally'fr^niSop:^ Vny :iMtr'o?Thti n"* ™"^* '^^^ '^^" ^P-*^'^ -g--
woods, are the rVesent^atTves of escaped sSm^Th^^^ swarms are found in our
bee, is thoroughly acclimatized but the s ocks have beeTT" ^^""^'i"' ^"^"P^'"^"
improved by the introduction of Italian a ueenT tZ !' ' u "" ^«J"y ^'-^^.^e extent,
f.om the abJve mentioned varielsfrd noX Cy'^r anf lo^'sSte^^^^^^^^^^ "'^'^ '
of the Province at thip moment v/j^pnans, constitute the honey bees
Of the respective ^-alu-^s of the older varieties. Mr. Jones says •-
the blS^s ^n2^f{t:i!r:r^lt^^^^^ hybrids-cross, between
queens mate with the black dnines and soml Lv« KoY m t^^e Italian drones, and the Italian
^w ?"' wl' uf f^ °*^'' ^^"^' ''^*^«^ ^^^°"" *»»« hybrid bee. He savs •
keeperyL^";intl' rd'lLTan^tr ^^kJl?^^^^^ ^^t °^ ^^ -ccel,7ee-
and is capable of defendintr itself in cL« nflii^lT ''«^?PPear8 to be more hardy by itself
In that particular it seems tf be pXible to tt'"."**'''" ^^^^
crossing the two varieties we get a still stronger J LfTf- ""^^'^t ^'-^.- ^e find that bv
on m. pS aSr :•- -"' '^°-'*°''"' ™ ""= °°""'y °f I-»»*. ,.>e. hi, vi™
"There are threo Uinrl« «* k-.„„ j_ .. • •• . . ,
club. I du not keep theTas't named mvUlf'"^TK'"T'I"''r~*u^ ^**"*°' **"« ^y^^''^, and the
• nil
lit
kr' « ,].,»,
1^, t** ■■
182
ONTARIO AGBICULTUBAL COMMISSION.
-F
u
the Italian to fill the hive, while the club hive would be only two-thirds full. The Italians
are equally hardy. I think the ItalianH can pierce deeper into the flowers than the others."
By the "club," Mr. Maitland, no doubt, moans the common black bee.
Mr. Pettit, of Belmont, County of Elgin, says : —
»' My own bees are Italians, but my neighbours use the native black bee. I have no
experience with any but the black and Italian bees. The Italians are superior to the black in
the following particulars ; they are more gentle under manipulation ; they protect themselves
from robbers and the ravages of the bee moth ; they are more industrious when honey is
scarce. When, however, there is a good flow of honey the black bees are equal to the Italians.
I obtain my supply of queens (pure Italians) from reliable breeders in the United States and
Canada. The Cyprians are pretty bees, but I am not acquainted with their other qualities."
The Hon. Louis Wallbridgo, of Belleville, in his answers to questions forwarded
by the Commissioners, after mentioning that the stocks in his district were chiefly
of the Italian variety, says : —
"Black bees are understood to be English or German. The Italians are a better sort.
The Cyprus bee is now Just introduced, but not tried yet. The common black bee of the
woods is the English or Gferman bee. People speak of the gray bee, but when examined, it is
the common black bee."
The full value of the Cyprians has yet, of course, to be demonstrated by actual
experience, although it is not to be supposed that Mr. Jones would have incurred
the serious cost and responsibility of his mission had he not previously ascertained
sufficiently their superior qualities to justify so extensive a venture.
Mr. Jones thus alludes to his previous inquiries. He says : —
" The reason I went to get some Cyprian bees was this. A count in Austria had imported
two colonies from Cyprus into Bohemia, and these proved to be so far superior to the Italian
bees that they created quite a sensation among bee-keepers, and I visited him last winter pre-
vious to going to the Island of Cyprus in order to ascertain the real facts regarding those bees.
After collecting all the information I coulii in Europe, I was thoroughly convinced of their
superiority, and went and obtained some. During the time I was in Cyprus I had an oppor-
tunity of seeing the bees at work, and to a certain extent testing their qualities."
He gives also a very important reason for using Cyprian queens, as follows : —
" The Cyprian bee breeds much earlier in the spring and much later in the fall than the
Italian. An objection to both the Italian and the black bert has been that they cease breed-
ing too early in the fall, and go into winter quarters with weak stocks. Bees only live from
sixty to ninety days in the ordinary course ; but while they are lying in a dormant state in
the winter the time does not count ; so that if many old bees go into winter quarters they die
out in the spring, and the hive becomes so weak that the young bees die. ... I have had
satisfactory proof that the Cyprian bees are superior. Count Kolowrat of Bohemia stated
that when the Italian and black bees weio weak and a mere handful in the spring, the
Cyprians would be strong and ready to swarm before the others were thinking about being
strong enough to gather honey. On the mountains in Cyprus the weather is severe, but in the
valley it is mild ; the bees are found both on the mountain and in the valley. Some of the
bees I got were from very high up on Mount Troados. "
Having refard to our long winters and extremes of climate the foregoing informa-
tion is of very considerable interest.
Mr. Dempsey adds the following regarding the ages of bees, and showing the
importance of strengthening the hive with young bees in the early spring : —
" The extreme age of the working bee is about six months, and they only attain that age
in the winter season while living perfectly dormant. When tne old bees take their first fly in
the spring not more than one in twenty return to the hive. If we have a colony without a
queen when the hiv3 goes into winter quarters, there is nothing in the spring but old bees, and
the first fly they take they fail to return. They usually commence breeding about the middle
of Februaiy."
HONEY YIELDING PLANTS.
Mr. Jones gives the sources whence the bees gather honey in the following order.
The first honey of the season is gathered from the willow — of which there are many
varieties — and the soft maples. After this the fruit tree blossoms afford a large
supply. For about ten days there then is a dearth, the dandelion being the chief
resQurce= White clover, raspberry and other wild berry blossoms come next; and
after them the basswood tree and Canada thistle. The fall flowers and late-flowor-
BEE FARMING.
^88
ng trees and shrubs keep the bees busy to the end of the season. The basswood
ifS« -Tr"^ ^'' fT" *^'^^'. ^'^ "'«*^*^«" '^^y' •" *he month of July, Mr. jTneft
Sharfnfr''*''l^"'y,"P'"^,"."'"«.*'''l'" *^« ^''^^<i-" It« value in this respect
U« «nf« • 1".^"t»ty '^"d quahty of its honey, should, added to other evidence of
^8 economic ments. induce its cultivation wherever it is not already abundant Mr
?a"vTsr He'L;s ■-'^ '"''" *° *'^ ^*"''' "' '"^'^™>'^"«" ^ vCd" the'hoJfey
bKvV n r^^"'-, r ^'^'^r r'-y ^'^^'^ ^''««- *^«^« >« no£„K whicJ w ll eL'fth "«! honey "Si;
duH ?r„mT tT ^v^'^* I^f ' ''« we can the cliHtinctive flavour ,.f the thi.tlein h^^ei pro-
tastes, but It 18 not so delicious to mine as the other two I have name.f There is a verv riS
quality of honey, though it appears to be well adapted to w nteiin ' Ll„ Tf r5J i "^
Mr. Beall, of Lindsay, noticing Mr. Dempsey's remarks, says •—
said';itviv"^x? oThX'th:?r ^'mji "T^in Sd'L'i^h?e3^o7^' •^'^■°^•^
There is another plant besides those mentioned by Mr. DempHey, from which a irreltT, 1 !^f
honey is got, that is the dandelion. I think the honev fnjm thlt ,,W i» tin a ^ ^^
the dandelion. Ihen, hor.ey is also obtained fr(,in the soft maple, the hard m'u.le th^ ^LJ
berry and the cur.^nt. We have most of the other plants ment oned, a, Ke4re besides*
the thorn-apple, the raspberry, the asparagus, white dover and alsike clover.'' '
Mr. Pettit says .•—
V.^'rl'^u^ f^°^7, '^ principally gathered from fruit blossoms, white clover and lindpn«
t^h'eTerV best qualir;^^^ '' " '"'' '''"" '^" ''''''' '''' ""^'*^"^ '^ '^ clear and\rt'ht.'a^J"o^f
district .^"""^"^^^ 8^^"« *^« following list of the chief resorts of the bees in his
bass3:^;to'f^^trp?& ;:r^^^
t::r:. iierof^fhicTfri-to'^:*"'^' ''''''''-''' ^"^'^-^'-*' ^oM^rorL'Ai
It is obvious from the foregoing that districts not wholly settled or brouc^ht into
a perfect and high state of cultivation will on the whole be best .XS for bee
farming The C<.mmissioners will hardly be suspected of ^riving even'an implSd
approval of the propagation of the Canada thistle as a honey-yiekling pknt but ^
IS pleasant to know that, what in other respects is an intolLble li s^nce can
plead one useful quality in mitigation of its oliences. nuisance, can
As to the quality of honey produced from the various plants, Mr. Jones saya •-
Mr. Wallbndge remarks that clover, basswood and thistle honev command thf^
best prices in the foreiim market and ^1-- (.-'sn-^.v- b-s s^rr-.;- ,' •> -
m England for honey collected from'Uuck^heit. ^^ ^ "" "' uie:preiereuce
.'i;i
184
ONTARIO AGBICULTVBAL COMMISSION.
ONTARIO VS A BEK-KEKPINO 'OUNTRV,
As to the adaptiibility of Ontiiiio to the boti-fariiiing industry, and its capacity
for holding its own in this respect against other hunev-i "oducing regidus, t'i i>
dona not appear to be any cause fur discouragemeh Mr. Wallbridge says on Uuh
point : —
" My opinion is thut (Ontario is one of the best, if not the best country for bee k nnj,' on
this continent. There are in all the accounts yon sae puhlinhed a great deal of brag, foi which
allowance must l)e made, especially in the United States,"
Mr. Pettit says : —
" HundrtiiU of tons of honey are purchased annually in California for the 1 ^'lish market,
at from five to eight cents per pound, the cost of carriage not being more tha one cent per
pound. California honey is proverbial for its superior quality when left with th. Ijcbh till ripe
or partly capped."
But Mr. Jones explains wliy, after all, the advantage may not be absolutely on
the side of California. He says : —
" From all I can learn with resjiect to other parts of the world I am thoroughly convinced
that there is no place superior to Canada for bee keeping, if it has an equal. .Some people
think that California is better, hut there they have seasons in which they get no honey at all,
and taking everything into consider: ion, I think our country is the best. In this country we
let the bees lie ilonnant in the wintei ' ime ; but in California their time of dormancy is in the
summer time, when it is hot, and from the spring to the fall, right through midsummer, they
are consuming their stores until they cnn get honey, whereas "urs gather honey all summer,
and so coiisume very little honey. As a feeding ground for tlie bee Canada possesses great
advantages over any other country, partly because we have many wild flowers, and partly
because we have the bass wood tree, which is the greatest honey-producing tree in the world."
BEE MANAGEMENT.
Some reference to the methods adopted by the several witnesses in the different
departments of bee management will liere bo in place. The first thing to be at-
tended to, is the strength of tlie colonies. Mr. Jones says on this subject : —
"One great mistake of many people who keep bees is, that they try to keep a great many
colonies, whereas they should endeavour rather to keep strong ones. My bees swarm from
June till August ; but the best swarms, as a general thing, are early. Sometimes, however,
the late swarms are as good as the early ones. My hive is very large— from .S,0()0 to 3,50'
cubic inches ; 2,000 cubic inches is the largest that most peoi)le use, I am constantly making
new hives by taking one comb from e.nch of a number of hives, and here I let the bees begin
to hatch another colony for themselves."
Feedmg in winter is deprecated by all the witnesses. Mr. Jones' emphatic
deliverance on this point is : —
" I never feed my bees in the winter time, and anybody who does will not have any in
the spring. That is where the great mistake of most people lies. They disturb their bees
and make them gorge themselves ; they cannot discharge thu excrement ; dysentery follows),
and they soon die." «
Mr, Dempsoy says : —
*• We scarcely ever feed our bees. We watch closely in the fall of the year, and see that
every colony is sufficiently supplied with honey before winter. If we find that any colony is
not sufficiently supplied, we supply the deficiency from those which have a surplus. We
simply take the full combs of honey from the colonies that have too much and give them to
those which haVe not enough, equalizing the quantity as nearly as possible. "
Mr. l*ettit is not quite so rigidly hostile to winter feeding as Mr, Jones, He
says : —
" I seldom or never feed the bees, except they lack store to carry them through the winter.
In that case I dissolve standard granulated sugar, in the proportion of five pounds of sugar to
one quart of watei , bring it to a boil, and it is ready for use."
Mr. Pettit, however, labours, it is to be observed, under the disadvantage of
living in a very fine agricultural section, and bees find less honey there than where
a large supply of wild plants is at hand, Mr. Wallbridge is opposed to feeding in
winter He says : —
" Only bad bee-keepers feed bees, or in a poor bee country. A little food in spring to
BEE F 'RMINO.
186
d its cajiaoity
regions, f'' •
& say a on una
bee ki )inK on
)rag, £01 which
i^lish market,
I: one cent per
11 been till ripe
absolutely on
ghly convinced
Some people
o honey at all,
hia country we
nancy la in the
laiiinmer, they
ey all aummer,
po8He»sieB great
?rH, and partly
in the world. "
the different
ng to be at-
ject :—
) A great many
49 swarm from
mes, however,
.S.OOO to 3,50'
tantly making
the beea begin
es' emphatic
t have anv in
irb their bees
sntery follows,
', and see that
; any colony is
surjJua. vVe
1 give them to
Jones. He
gh the winter,
ids of sugar to
idvantage of
( than where
:o feeding in
d in spring tu
atimul ',% is of doubtful good-the
aeiKiHtorius, temperature at 41"— 46°.
i.eter the hotter in the aprlng. We winter in winter
Everyone is agreed tliat th« quieter the bees are k- .t in wint«r H,« h«H a
houHu properly constructed and ventilated h.if rl .rt 1 * . t ■ .**^®'^- ^
perature at about 46 deyruos is tlio iV. «? nn ''^^'^ '"^^ frost-proof, with a tem-
tl.e hous. -., cellar muTb^Varti "u rl^^g^^^^^^^^^^ l^^sf M^t;' """^T""" '"
mstunce witiin his Lnowl».rli;n ,.f « J' »""'"«" against. JV" Ui mentions an
AKTIFICIAL COMB AND XTRACTOR8
ad . .lb available for f^^^^:'^^:'^!:^^'^^^:^^:^'' ^-^^"' '«
the hor;'p.^, ;hin'xM.r:itbi:i tr riLranriS t/"'r^ ^'^a- *- ^•*'^« -*
that every five or six ilays when they are i/atherfni ^^n»^ a • '** 'T?' ■'"''''" **>«">■ We do
the comb for them, in or'der to RavrtLrfr'^>«, ?"11 "?»'^' '^"1. «» ^'Wition we manufacture
o them mu-.K them from 20 *., LT, pounds of honey
secrete^wax enough to make :., po,„„l ' • ^•-
_„ i. „ . .. - .._ — ..jfacture
ng the comb. One nound of comb given
nig them with the cmb." ^" *'' '^ pounds of honey by supply-
tion^'as^'f?!,:?:-?"*'"'^'" "" '^'''''^ «^ -aking artificial comb or comb founda.
and Z'r S[^.i:^/^K^ -S:"' '^ftL:^^oZrt 'z^^^''^'^'^ '^'-^ "^^^ *^p«
groove cut in with a saw. \\ take a narrow strio of fhS- f ?H'"^ """■ (,'"''"'«*' ^« ^"^^ a
that, and then we us • a little ) ttle m Jfe k« If L?.! f (o>'P«lati(m comb and insert it in
filled with water and the interior with wal Th 1 ^^ '*' 1"'^ '*; "* ''"*>'''«• The outside ia
a little of the hot wax alo " the, 2lTt sealT oe ?iZ'''*P ^ *l^? n^' '*"'' ^^J""* P««"
we must have a comb .U rht, Lufwe aSmi ish tfe rlu^-'^^'If *'"*>' '^'V"?^ conveni,,f,,tly
F..r lireediiig purposes if it ih «Jr Lhf ;f,°""V 1' "^f,*",^* '" ^^^ "^'"V I have described.
If left to themsdienhebeL make fin a 1 manner"Tll '" '^' comb valuable for the bS
too shallow to be used for bree h^ p rjo.e cTnser In k't?; -"""^^ V^*^"" *,"" "^^^'^ '^"^ "<>'»«
tionof thecomb that can be use n,y them ' BriZraLulH'^ l>e only a small propor-
perfectly straight. Then suoposing a swrrm ^,1^ n a tas n wh^ f^ *^""«''' l^^^ *«•«
supply of honey, their only obect is t.. simi.lv thaf^^ , a season when there is an abundant
It has larger r^\h, and they w 11 fill a who e\i5e Thl^tolf^' V^'^K"^' *"*" * •^••""^ <=«n>b.
is confined t,. large bee-keepers " ^® practice of making an artificial comb
facture comb f,„ those who may not find it worth while fo mke i'tZ tLleW "'
BEE-HIVES.
the question, What kind of hive do you coSer best^ sayl - "^''' ^" ""'"^^ *"
oughUobe''St?060 i^^i^'''''''''''-' ''"^^ ^-P- -d Bhorter. The contents
Of ^r^ZlS.^::^::Z^^^^^, ^'^^^ -^^c inches in si.e. and
SWARMING.
Mr. Maitland explains in his evidence the way in which he spnurr- „.*;« • 1
Bwarms, and thus avoids the risk of lo«in<. . «w.n^ ?„h?« 1 rnn." " —
resijects. He says •— ""° '-'>""!■« ecunonuamg m otiier
13
1%.
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IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)
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CorpoiBtion
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23 WEST MAIN STREET
WEBSTER, NY. 14580
(716) 872-4503
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186
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
' I have never bred a non-swarming hive. By artificial swarming I save time, as a queen
can be hatched out of a brood comb in which a queen cell is sufficiently advanced, and a new
swarm got by dividing, in ten days. I sometimes divide by taking out two frames with a,
queen and then put them on a stand a few feet from the old one, and in ten days divide the
old hive again, thus getting two swarms from a hive in one year. . . .
"I was the first to manipulate the bees artificially. With a frame hive I take out one
frame with a queen and bees adhering to it, and put it into an empty hive with a foundation
comb in it. You can get enough for 35 cents to fill up your hive and give you a month's-
advantage. I place the new hive in the old one's place, removing the old one 16 or 18 feet.
With a common box hive I take it off to one side two or three rods out of the ' fly ' of the
bees, and leave an empty hive on the stand as a decoy. I next turn the hive of bees upside
down, putting an empty one on top, and hammer on the sides for 15 to 20 minutes, and then
take the bees drummed off to one side and have an empty hive placed on a large cloth. The
hive is placed there to receive the bees. The bees are shaken on to the cloth some two feet
from the hive you want them to enter, I lift a few in a cup and pour them in front of the
hive, when they will commence to drum and run in. This calls the rest, and if the queen is
ther" they will stay. Before they enter, if you have got too many, take away the hive with the
(jueen and other bees, place it on the old stand, in place of the decoy, and let the balance run
into the old hive. The old hive can then be put on a stanu by itself, 16 or 18 feet away."
^ Mr. Dempsey says on swarming ; —
"We swarm the bees; you cannot always help it. The difficulty can be overcome, to
some extent, by moving the queen cells, although it is not always possible. Before the
swarming season arrives, by putting up the outside combs— for the brood is always in the
centre— and by sliding the ones in the interior out, and extracting the honey from these, and
putting them m the centre, we can manage sometimes to prevent them swarming for a time.'*
Mr. J(mes, who recommends "Cook's Manual of Bee Culture" as the best
work for the intending }><!e-keeper to read, says : —
" I could teach any one in a short time to make artificial swarms, so that he" might dis-
pense with swarming altogether. But it is a very easy matter to get bees into a hive. At a
cost of not more than 50 cents, you could make an arrangement, by fixing a crotch in the
ground with a pole run through it, and a little box at one end, balanced by a weight on the
other, which would catch every swarm."
THE QUEEN BEE.
The queen bee meets the drones in the air, and being once impregnated remains
fruitful without further intercourse for the rest of her life, which extends to from
two to five years. In-breeding, which is often very pernicious, is avoided by the
introduction of fresh queens from a distance. In their journey from Parry Sound
to Collingwood the Commissioners were shown two islands, known respectively as
Cyprus and Holy Isle, where Mr. Jones with his characteristic energy was breed-
ing Cyprian queens, far away from any risk to the purity of his stocks. No means
has, it is stated, been devised for securing the impregnation of the queen without
releasing her for a prolonged flight, although this has been attempted to be done,
by enclosing her and the drones in a box with a glass top or window.
YIELD OF HONEY.
The quantity of honey which a single colony will produce in a favourable sea-
son, over and above the amount required for consumption, will depend on several
circumstances, some of which have been already indicated. Mr. Jones puts it iit
from 100 lbs. to 300 lbs. He gives 75,000 lbs. of honey as the yield, in one season,
of 600 colonies, three hundred of which were old, and three hundred new, having
been formed during that season only. That would be an average of 125 lbs. per
hive. But this is done by adopting, as already noticed, a system of large colonies
in a very favourable district and with every attention and appliance the greatest
skill and experience can suggest. Mr. Dempsey, in the best year he ever had, got
three tons of box honey from sixty colonies, or 100 lbs. per hive, and in his worst
year got from 17 lbs. to 18 lbs. per hive. He does not give more than 30 lbs. lu
40 lbs. per hive as an average, taking both good and bad seasons into account.
Mr. Beall says : —
" I have the evidence of many persons in saying that one hundred pounds per hive would
be a fair average. Last year I got seventy pounds of surplus from one hive."
BEE FARMING.
187
Iture" as the best
Mr. Maitland thinks about 50 lbs. of bjx honey a fair average, but then he has
not hitherto used the extractor, which would enable him, no doubt, to obtain a
much better yield.
Mr. Pettit says :—
"As kept in this neighbourhood, a hive averages perhaps about 20 pounds of honev in a
season, but if kept on scientific principles they -vould do far better— perhaps average 80 lbs."
Mr. Wallbridge says : —
avprl^^'Q/i?""' "^^l^' ? ?'"ynf'°'^ y^*'"' T^ '''^«' **^'°K **^a* <*« tl^e ^a«" of calculation
averaged 98 lbs. extracted This is more than a general averaga-perhaps 75 lbs. would be a
fair average ; 40 lbs. would be a fair average of box honey. I have taken 101 lbs. from one
hive, and a swarm, box honey. This is extraordinary."
y,cx iJ'^^x*^ 1*1-^ things being ordinarily favourable and the management good, from
70 lbs. to 80 lbs. will be a fair annual yield where the extractor is used.
THli HONEY TRADE.
Up to the present time no foreign trade of any extent has been done in Canadian
honey. A small, but very small quantity has been imported, chiefly from the
United States, and m 1879-80 Canada exported some 7,940 lbs. weight, not an
amount of any magnitude in itself, but indicating the commencement of a forei^m
demand. Of the last mentioned amount 5,418 lbs. went to Great Britain. So far
as the Trade and Navigation returns supply any evidence on which to found a
judgment, it would appear that hither co the home consumption has been equal to
the supply, although it is probable that much less honey is used for domestic pur-
poses than, having regard to its very wholesome nature, would be desirable. Mr
Jones thinks the home demand will absorb all that will be produced for some time
to come, although he has had good reason to believe that the British market would
be open to Canadian shippers at remunerative prices. At all events there is no
tear that anyone going judiciously into bee farming will find the field already too
fully occupied. '
A "superstition" dispelled.
Nor need the dread of handling the insects or movin
one from entering into the business. Mr. Jones gives hi
as follows : —
flioJ! '^}'^^^}lu° '?Fge'""f being stung in handling' bees ; I can handle them just the same as
flies without the slightest danger. It is a fact that some persons are more liable to be "ung
than others ; but it is also a fact that a little child that has no fear may walk through a yarl
filled with bees and not be stung by them, when agiown person will. If you go into a yard
ami make false motions and attempt to dodge the bees, they will most likely sting you ; hut
f you go through a yard as though you were satisfied that they wiU not sting you, they are not
ikely to touch you. When you wish to get honey, all you have to do is to take your smoker
vn„..nH ? Ju^^'''^' the bees will then commence to fill themselves with honey, and
>ou can take out the combs and brush the bees off the sides of them like flies, and then remove
the honey. We have boys gomg in and working among our bees constantly, and they seldom
get stung. This fear of stinging is a superstition." u wicy Bemoiu
Mr. Dempsey says : —
mv.Pl?.^ wlft^!"^ persons to whom bees are unfriendly ; I used to be one of those persons
myself , but if they get accustomed to yon, and if you treat them properly, they will pay no
oter S°!!nlT«^ fZ^A^^ "°* fr^ r:" T-'^ *^2"»^ *^^y "^^y HRht np^n your f^e an/ craw
aggressiv?" ' ' ^°" ^ ^"^ '*"^^ ^^^'^ ' " ^^^ ^° ^^^^ ^'" immediately become
Mr. Jones, however, is good enough to add for the information of those who are
not so^fortunate as himself or Mr. Dempsey in securing the confidence of the
wavl'SfL^n'}?® ^^^fffu"? '* H^""^? * little barb in the flesh ; if you knock that barb side-
ways you will knock ofif the bag of poison, and no hurt will result ; but if you attempt to pull
at he e^nd Tlh^'b b^""'"''' ^ '''*° *^' ^''^- ^^' ^°''°° " cont^Led in a Sttle bag
among them prevent any-
xperience in this matter
188
ONTARIO Agricultural commission.
Bees are liable to few diseases or enemies. Dysentery, as already noticed, may
ensue from dampness in winter. Mr. Jones says as to bees' diseases : —
"Dysentery among bees la brought on liy mismanagement. Another disease that affects
bees in this country is called foul brood, a fungus that attacks the hive and ultimately affects it
BO badly that it becomes depopulated. Salicylic acid is a remedy. Just as soon as this
disease attacks the hives, or as soon as it is discovered, the bees should be removed from the
combs, starved for forty-eight hours, and put in new hives ; the combs should be then melted
and hives scalded thoroughly. The system of in-breeding is very deleterious to bees."
The bee moth is injurious, but only, as a rule, when the bee-keeper is negligent.
Mr. Jones' remarks on that subject are as follows : —
"There are not many insects in this country destructive of bees except the moths. I
think the greatest cause of destruction is ignorance in management. People allow the queen
to die, and then the moths get into the hive, and they think the moths destroy the bees,
whereas the fact is the queen dier and leaves the hive unguarded. If the queen dies and there
are no eggs in the hive, the stock will be destroyed in a short time. If the queen is killed by
accident or otherwise during the summer season, there are always eggs in the hive ; but if
she dies from any cause in the winter, and it is not discovered in thi spring that she is gone,
the moths will get in and destroy the bees."
THE B£E MOTH.
CHAPTER VIII.
GENE.^IAL FA E MING,
The term General Farming is one of very wide application. It may cover everj'
branch of agricultural industry. It must, in such a country as this, include a great
variety of ideas, cj stems and methods. It has its representatives of every class in
the agricultural population, from the owner of the great thoroughbred stock farm
to the new settler on a partially cleared stumpy lot. But the person to whom
these remarks are more directly addressed is the man who carries on a system of
mixed farmiiig, working probably from one hundred to two hundred acres of land,
raising just such crops as his soil seems best adapted for or his convenience demands,
keeping his fifteen to twenty head cf stock, and a few sheep and hogs, using the
milk of his cows for the cheese factory or home dairy, and fattening two or three
beasts annually for the market. Such men as these form by far the larger portion
of the farmers of Ontario. While there is a very large amount of very defective
farming among them, it cannot be questioned that, by no portion of the industrial
population has greater progress in the last quarter of a century been made. And
the best and most intelligent of their number will be the iirst to assent to such
strictures as may be justly applied, as well as the most ready to accept any sug-
gestions offered. In this portion of their inquiry the Commissioners have sought to
bring together farmers of every variety of experience, so that out of the aggrega-
tion of testimony a common stock of information useful to all may be created.
GENERAL FARMING— IMPROVED STOCK.
18»
keeper is negligent.
GOOD STOCK INDISPENSABLE To SUCCESSFUL FARMING.
The axiom contained in the above heading will be mentally assented to by
most. But in practice a great many are far too regardless of its importance. By
the returns from the townships, received by the Commissioners, it appears that,
out of four hundred and nine townships from which information on this point has
been obtained, in fifty-three there is no improved stock at all ; that in one hundred
and thirteen the improvement is very slight indeed ; that in one hundred and
twenty-six improvement has been considerable, and in one hundred and seventeen
only has it been general With plenty of breeders and importers of thoroughbred
stock in the country, and opportunities at their very doors, there are still thou-
sands of farmers in Ontario wlio have not taken the first step towards substitutinR
for the wretched " scrub " a moderately well-bred grade beast.
That this is often the result of a penurious habit, and does not arise altogether
from want of a certain amount of intelligence, is only too evident. It was stated
to the Commissioners, in one instance, that persons who were offered the oppor-
tunity of improving their stock at a merely nominal charge refused, alleging that
such a result would lead to the increase of their assessments. By this very absurd
objection they admitted that improvement and increased value would follow, but
would rather remain as they were than be so much the richer, because they might
have to pay an extra dollar in the first instance, and a fraction of a cent on every
dollar of increased wealti afterwards.
A more reprehensible species of parsimony was mentioned by one of the wit-
nesses. This gentleman, a large breeder of Durham cattle, in a district where
little or no improvement had taken place, had offered to sell serviceable young
bulls at a very low price indeed, or to allow his bulls to serve at the smallest pos-
sible figure. But, although his neighbours would ac . -. - •; neither offer, they did not
S3ruple to pull down his fence rails at night and let his young male stock have
access to their yards. It could not be said in that case they did not recognize the
value of the pure Durham blood.
It is, however, probable that, in many cases, farmers are really ignorant of the
necessity that exists for having, not merely form and style in the male animal, but
absolute purity of breed. It is not always possible for any one but an expert to
disi.' 'uish between a very fine grade and a pure-bred animal. Nor is it easy to go
very thoroughly or minutely, in a report intended for somewhat promiscuous circu-
lation, into the physiological reasons why, to attain certainty of results, a pure-bred
male is indispensable. The whole subject will be found very ably stated and
reasoned out in the evidence given before the Commissioners, in connection with
the subject of horse-breeding, by Dr. McMonagle, of Prescott. No breeder of
animals can breed uniformly, truly, certainly and successfully, unless he is acquainted
with the theory of breeding, and the ascertained facts on which it is founded. In
the evidence referred to, these facts, and the principles on which the business of the
breeder should be conducted, are fully stated, without scientific technicalities, and
can be understood by all who choose to read them.
It will be sufficient here to remark that the pure-bred male animal has, if in a
healthy and vigorous condition, a prepotency or impressive power to stamp its own
nature or characteristics on its progeny to which no other than a pure-bred animal
can attain, and that too in a far greater degree than the female ; that, if the latter
be chosen with an eye to securing the best animal-producing medium— or machine,
if it may be so termed— even from common stock, the result is abnost certain to be
an offspring of the pure-bred male's type, although— even if a male— without the
prepotency of its sire. If, as often occurs, the female contains any germs of animal
life identical with the male's breed, then the vital powers of the latter will have a
preferential affinity for those germs, and a creature still more closely allied to the
male will be the result. But, for breeding, however handsome in form and prom-
ismg in general appearance, the male grade, for the improvement of the stock, is
aU but worthless.
In the Province of Ontario, many pure-bred male animals have been imported
190
ONTABIO AGBICULTUBAL COMMISSION.
during the last thirty years, the traces of whose progeny are lost, but the eflfect of
whose importation remain ; and if, as often happens, a pure-bred male animal of
the same type or breed is introduced into the same district, the results are so bene-
ficial as to be startling, even although the existence of any affinity be unknown.
OPINIONS OF PRACTICAL FARMERS,
So much for the theory, now for the practical view of the matter by men who
are best qualified to judge. Farmers like to hear what farmers have to say about
anything aifecting their interests. Here, then, is what Mr. Albin Rawlings, of
Forest, in the County of Lambton, not a breeder of thoroughbred stock, but a
farmer, grazier and purchaser of cattle, told the Commissioners. Mr. Rawlings
said : —
"We should try and impress on the farmers of the country to use none but these good
animals. They always look at the cost of putting the cow, and never look to the price a steer
would bring when three years old. Where I have been able to buy them, I gave a large price
for these good ones to encourage farmers to raise them. The diflference between the price
of a common animal, a fairly well raised common steer without any trace of blood, and a good
frade Hereford steer first cross, would be from one-half to three-fourths of a oent a pound,
t is cheaper to give $40 for one kind than $30 for one of the other kind."
Turning to the evidence of Mr. Charles Drury, a well-known farmer of the
County of Simcoe, he is found sa;'ing : —
" I am engaged to a considerable extent in stock raising. I keep good grade cattle, which
I feed for the English market. I breed my own animals, though I would prefer purchasing
and feeding if I could do so. In my breeding I always use thoroughbred male ^orthoms.
Previous to the last three or four years there har, not been much attention paid in my district
to the use of thoroughbred animals. Previous to that time, the farmers were willing to take
what they could get, so long as it was cheap, but since the English demand has spru g up,
people are willing to pay two or three dollars to have their cows served by thoroughbreds."
He says, further :-^—
"I agree with Mr. Hobson in the opinion expressed by him that the sum realized for a
well-bred steer at three years old would be $30 or $32 more than the sum realized for a common
or scrub animal at the same age."
Then Mr. Drury goes on to give a practical illustration of his views. He says : —
"I sell my cattle for the export trade at the age of three years and upwards. Under
favourable circumstances they will reach 1,600 po\mds at the age of three years and six
months. Within the last two years I have sold steers under four years old that weighed
1,800 or 1,900 pounds. I have been able to obtain five cents a pound for such cattle ; but the
high rates for freight are against us. I have had experience in feeding common-bred scrub
steers. I bought some native steers of a good average sample and fed them along with some
of my own raising : and these native steers were sold at a somewhat less price per pound, and
while the steers of my own raising weighed 1,600 or 1,700 pounds, the best cv these native
steers went to only 1,.^00 pounds. They were all treated alike from the tiir T got them,
receiving the same pasture and the same feed, and I think they consum. about equal
quantities."
Mr. Hobson's opinion, referred to by Mr. Drury, is that of another practical
farmer. M- Hobson says : —
"I believe it would pay a farmer having only twenty or twenty -five cows, to buy a bull
at a cost of about $300. Bulls vary a good deal in the length of time they are serviceable.
They usually begin to be unserviceable when they are four or five years oldf ; but my experi-
ence is not such as to warrant me in speaking with as much authority on that subject as some
others might. A thoroughbred animal three years old and weighing 1,500 pounds, would
bring, at five and a quarter cents a pound, $78.75, while a common animal at the same age,
and weighing 300 pounds less, would bring only $48, being a difference of $30.75. Besides, in
one case you are selling a well-bred animal, and in the other case a common scrub. My
experience has always led me to believe that a well-bred animal is quite as easily and as
cheaply fed as a common animal ; that is to say, having the two animals, you would get 1,500
pounds of good beef at the same cost as you could get 1,200 pounds of poor beef."
Mr. lier, of Colchester, in the County of Essex, says : —
' ' In breeding I have used thoroughbreds altogether for the last few years. I don't like
to use any others if I can help it. I think there is no difficulty in obtaining the services of a
N.
st, but the eflfect of
red male animal of
results are so bene-
ty be unknown.
natter by men who
I have to say about
llbin Bawlings, of
hbred stock, but a
irs. Mr. RawlingB
none but these good
>k to the price a steer
1, 1 gave a large price
Be between the price
i of blood, and a good
:hs of a oent a pound.
)wn farmer of the
id grade cattle, which
.Id prefer purchasing
■ed male Shorthorns,
m paid in my district
were willing to take
nand has spru .g up,
ly thoroughbreds."
lie sum realized for a
ealized for a common
piews. He says :—
nd upwards. Under
three years and six
!trs old that weighed
such cattle ; but the
■ common-bred scrub
hem along with some
price per pound, and
best (>:" these native
he tin: T got them,
Dsum. about equal
; another practical
e cows, to buy a bull
they are serviceable,
old ; but my experi-
that subject as some
1,500 pounds, would
nal at the same age,
: $30.75. Besides, in
common scrub. My
lite as easily and as
, you would get 1,500
)r beef."
r years. I don't like
ing the services of a
GENERAL FARMING— IMPROVED STOCK.
191
sufficient nr.mber of thoroughbred animals. Common bulls are very little used. I don't
think it is profitable to raise a common animal to three years old, if one caa be got which has
ore or two crossings from thoroughbred stock."
Mr. Hiram Walker, of Walkerville, Essex, who fattens a ver/ large number
of cattle every winter at his distillery, bears just the same testiniony as others.
He says : —
«
"A sufficient supply of young cattle of the quality we need is not easily obtained. If
farmers would only raise good grades they would find a beast of that class \ceigh, at a given
age, 25 to 40 per cent, more than a common animal and be a better quality at tha^. Our own
steers will run 1,300 to 1,400 pounds, live weight, at two years old ; that would only apply to
grades. Two steers we bred, put in at two and one-half years, at three years weighed,
together, 4,400 pounds. They weighed 1,600 to 1,700 pounds each when put in. Until put in
they had b' en fed on distillery slop, with hay and grass. When put in they were fed on slop
till close upon the end of feeding, if not altogether."
Mr. John Smith, who buys and grazes a large number of cattle in the neigh-
bourhood of Chatham, Kent, says : —
" A well-bred animal at two years old is equal to a common animal at three. We give
about the same price for both, though we would rather pay more for a good grade p.t two years
old than for a common animal at three."
In other words, the sensible breeder of the grade saves one whole year's keep
at the small cost of perhaps an extra dollar for the " service."
Major Peters, of London, says on this point : —
' ' A thoroughbred steer has a better frame, is better made, and f atten:< much more quickly
than the common steer. He will put on more beef, and it will sell at a higher price per
pound. I stall feed four or five cattle in the winter, but I don't do any grazing. No bullii
should be used but thoroughbreds."
Mr. John Geary, of London (Ont.), another large farmer and shipper of cattle,
says : —
"I could form some estimate of the comparative value of a thoroughbred steer and a
common steer of the same weight in the English market. The well-bred animal of good
quality will always sell for one penny a pound and sometimtj twopence a pound, more than
the other. Of course if you get a rough animal, even if it is well bred, the diflference will not
be so great. I think the discriminatiom is the result of real merit, as there is more beef on
well-bred animals, and they cut better. They carry their beef on the parts where it is worth
most per pound."
Mr. Geary puts the case very tersely and emphatically in another place where
he says: "T/iere is no profit in feeding scrubs." He gives, too, an instance in
his own experience in confirmation of his views : —
" I lived until sixteen years of aged on a farm, and have been engaged in farming for the
last seven or eight years. I was not engaged in shipping cattle before the last two years.
The animals which 1 buy, weighing about 1,200 pounds, are not all grade animals ; some are
common. I think I had about 30 or 40 head which were not Shorthorn grades ; the remainder
were all pretty welJ bred. The forty head which I have mentioned were a very low average
in weight, a::a I lost money on them. Some of the cattle went as high as 1,600 and 1,700
pounds. Most of them were in fair condition when I bought them. The well-bred cattle
more than doubled their value in the six months. I fed them almost entirely on corn, which
cost me, the whole season through, $21.26 a ton."
Mr. Charles Simmons, Reeve of Lobo, County of Middlesex, a large dealer in,
*.nd feeder of, cattle for shipment, also gives his testimony. He says : —
"These common cattle don't grow to the same jize with the same amount of feed, and the
Durham grade will be worth $20 to $25 more at three years old than they will. I have been
engaged in my present business for about twenty years, and have handled a large number of
cattle every year, so that I speak from practical experience as a grazier and shippe". For the
ifirst ten years that I was in the business I never got a lot of cattle — say 100— that would
weigh 1,200 pounds each, but now there is no trouble in getting a lot that will weigh from
1,300 to 1,350. I attribute the change to the improvement in the breed of the cattle.
" Fanners used to feed them just as well fifteen or twenty years ago as now, but they
-could not obtain the same results. I am not speaking now of stall-fed cattle, but of cattle
kept in the yards and grazed through the summer. Cattle weighing 950 or 1,000 pounds in
the spring, and going out in September, will weigh 1,350 pounds. 'The producer of steers of
1,100 pounds, grass-fed, would require 4 cents per pound to make them pay. Cattle of the
1»2 ONTARIO AORIOULTURAL COMMISSION.
«ame weight grain-fed, Bhould get 5 cents in order to make a profit. For steers weighinir
1,300 pounds he would get 4i cents for grass-fed and 5^ grain-fed. For those weighhiir 1 500
E ti,a. • /iT" "''l*"'' ^^ «■•* ";^± '^^^'="'" "^ ™'«'"8 * 1-^ P""nd steer L^ very i tlS
more than that of raismg one of 1,100 pounds ; and the reason I put it in this shape is tha^
-tVfwf"".- ^K^^f"*' for the heavier weight, and it is easy to realize 4i cents fo^griss fed
ateers that weigh that much in the fall of the year." Biaameu
Mr. Armstrong, of Eramosa, County of Wellington, contributes an item in his
experience. He says : —
"The oply animals, besides the Durhams, which I have tried to feed are the natives A
Durham grade steer at two years old, if he was properly fed, would bring over $80 whilel
native steer, at the same age and on the same amount of feed, would brin^ Jerhaps $40 or «%
It costs as much to raise one as the other. Last fkll I bought six natives, and Jut them wSi
my Durham steers, one year old, on the same feed-clover and chopped feea-and™ kept
iirbL"JrV.*n%//i^'"*'''' ^'f^ *4^ ^P""? my voung Durham graL came out stroSge!
and bigger than the three-year old natives. I thmk there is very ifttle profit realized on the
native cattle, even if they ar| bought at a low price. I bought some i^urhams afterwards
that I paid a big price for, and I realized more money from them in aboitUirthe time than
IZ, H "**'r'- ^°"1 °* "V '"^"'^ ^^'•^ «l»PPei to the old country in Mr. CraS ship"
ment. Some lar^e ones brought me $140, and the common cattle that were f ed all thty couFd
eat for over seven months dicTnot realize more than $70 apiece ; that is about one-half .^'
As an illustration of what may be done with a well-bred animal, the recent
instance of the white Shorthorn steer, " Dominion Champion," will be familiar to
many who saw the steer at the late fall exhibitions. The Champion was bred by
Mr. E A. Bradshaw, of Oshawa. He was calved January 10th, 1876, his sire
being Barrington Butterfly, owned by Mr. J. Wilson, of Green River, Ont., and
his dam Lily Dale, by Kentucky Baron, granddam Lady Jane Grey-by Romeo.
While in possession of Mr. Bradshaw he lived, that gentleman states, entirely on
pasture m the summer and was moderately fed in winter. Mr. Brkdshaw sold
him to Mr. John Russell, of Pickering, who writes as follows: "The steer was
pu-u up to feed at the age of two years and ten months. He then weighed 1,540
lbs., and when he left my place he weighed 2,840 lbs." The steer was ultimately
bought by Mr. J. Holderness of Toronto, and on the 15th of December, 1880,
killed at the establishment of Mr. H. R. Fiunkland, of St. Lawrence Market.
He was then 4 y«ars, 11 months old, and weighed 2,900 lbs. Immediately pre-
vious to slaughtering, the Champion was carefully measured by Mr. Saniuel
Wilmot, of Newcastle, Ont., who gives the following as its exact dimensions :-
Length of body from crown of head to tail '7 'e
Height from ground g o
Girth round neck i !!!..!.!. ! 4 «
" " brisket or chest ' an
" " shoulders ofi •
" belly iX I
" loinorflank '.'.'.'' ''.'.'.'.l'\'.'.'.[['.['.'.[]]'.'.][y.'.:'. 9 7
His square measurements across his back were as follows :
Across rump n a
" hips :: i ^
" middle ■.■.■.■.■.■;■.■.■.■.■.■. 3 6
" shoulders o 1
" neck '■■'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.['.'.['.'.'.['.'.'.'.'.[W 1 3
Mr. Willmot adds: "His symmetry was perfect throughout— colour purely
white. I notice he has taken during 1879 and 1880, no less than eleven first
prizes as best fat steer, at the Dominion, Provincial, and other leading Agricultural
SHOWS* I'^iirf- r'ii'iiij
It may be suggested that such men as Mr. John Clay, Jr., the mana"^?^
Bow Park, are interested witnesses, but they only teU the same story as everybo"dy
6186* jyLjT* vl&y SftVS I—
"My opinion is Inost decided that, if we want to produce a good stock of cattle in this
country, we must use nothing but thoroughbred males. I mean by thoroughbred an animal
that 18 entitled to be entered in the Herd Book-that has four or five crosses of pure blood-
though I would certainly go farther than simply to find an animal with a pedigree ; I would
V.
For steers weighing:
those weighing 1,500
id steer is very littla
in this shape is that
Ji cents for grass-fed
ea an item in his
are the natives. A
ng over $80, while a^
: perhaps $40 or $50.
, and put them with
id feed— and I kept
s came out stronger
)rofit realized on the
Durhauis afterwards
t half the time than
in Mr. Craig's ship,
re fed all they could
)out one-half."
nimal, the recent
will be familiar to
ipion was bred by
th, 1876, his sire
River, Ont., and
Jrey — by Romeo,
jtates, entirely on
r. Bradshaw sold
"The steer was
3n weighed 1,540
er was ultimately
December, 1880,
lawrence Market.
Immediately pre-
by Mr. Samuel
limensions :—
Ft
In.
7
6
6
2
4
6
8 11
9
6
10
4
9
7
2
6
2
8
3
6
3
1
1
3
it — colour purely
than eleven first
ding Agricultural
the manager*of
ory as everybody
ck of cattle in this
ughbred an animal
les of pure blood —
pedigree ; I would
GENERAL FARMING— IMPROVED STOCK.
m
194
ONTARIO AORICULTURAL COMMISSION.
expect some merit in the individual animal itnelf. You will sometimes find a grade as
good In every respect as a thoroughbred, but It has not the impressive power of a pure-bred
Nor would it be at all difficult to show that, not merely a failure to realize a
profit, but an actual monetary loss must accrue to any farmer who pretends to
go into the business of raising cattle for market with common or scrub stock. In
his evidence before the Commiss-onors, Professor Brown, of the Agricultural Col-
lege at Guelph, entered into somewhat elaborate calculatiors to show the profit and
lobs on ordinary farming operations. He took the two great divisions into which
farming is divided— the crops on the one hand and the stock on the other. Giving
credit at market rates for everything raised on the farm in ,he shape of crops, he
showed a handsome profit. Then Professor Brown gives a comparison, drawn upon
well-established data, of the advantage of a high grade animal over a "scrub."
He says : —
"As to the advantages of a thoroughbred over a common animal, I will give you the
result of carefully conducted experiments on this subject, which were so regulated as to show
the increased weight per head per day. A thoroughbred will add to its weight at the rate of
1..^ pounds per day, reaching the weight of 1,892 pounds in three years, and a value of 8114.
* ^'Kh Krade will gain 1.74 pounds per day, reaching a gross weight at the end of three years
of 1,914 pounds, and being valued at $115. A common feeding steer under the same manage-
ment as the others will gain 1.30 pounds per day, or equal to 1,430 pounds in three years, and
a value of J79. Practically there is no difference bet ween the thoroughbred and the high
grade with respect to weight and value, but there is a diference of $35 against the common
animal. This is the result of a very large number of experiments, not only in Ontario, but
6Xfl6Wn6r6«
But then, what is the profit or loss on raisin/^, a grade steer to three years, and
having it at that period in marketable condition ( Mr. Brown shows that, charging
it with everything it consumes at market rates (ihe same figures that he has credited
to crops), there is an apparent loss of some ^70. Against that, however, adopting
again a well-understood rule or method, he shows that the actual value of the
manure of the animal (which has been previously charged by him to crop-raising
account) is just $69.50, or as nearly as possible a set-oflF to the assumed loas. His
own words on this last point are : —
t •J<?'** «7^''°?*l"* *° *^® question as to the value of manure, as against this apparent loss
of 570. What I have to say on that subject I will make very short by remarking that the
value of the manure produced by an animal, from its birth to the age of three years, is, at the
least, four cents per pound for every pound the animal then weighs, and, in saying that, I am
giving the experience not only of Ontario, but the experience of Europe for the last fifty years.
That comes to $69.80. Then there is the advantage of having that manure as a certainty,
which could not be depended upon unless from such a source."
Now, a scrub animal will eat as much as a gra^e, or more, and makes no more
manure. So, if a grade only juft balances the account with its owner— as Professor
Brown puts it — every scrub raised would inflict on its owner a loss of not less than
136. Professor Brown's figures will be noticed more fully hereafter. They are
only now referred to in so far as they affect the present argument.
DEMANDS OF THE BRITISH MARKET.
The matter, however, does not end here. The hope of the farmer is in a foreign
market for his cattle. Except for thoroughbreds for breeding purposes, the trade
in cattle with the United States is much reduced; but the trade with Great
Britain has come to the rescue -J the Canadian farmer. In 1873, not one beast was
shipped to Europe from Canada. In the year ending June 30, 1880, Canada—
chiefly from Ontario— shipped to Great Britain no less than 32,680 head of cattle,
besides 110,143 sheep ; and in the calendar year 1880 not less than 50,000 head of
cattle— a trade in cattle and sheep with Britain alone, representing a money return
of not less than $5,500,000 per annum, and still in its infancy.
Every farmer to-day knows that this is the trade he has got to work for and
rely upon, for the disposal of his surplus stock. But what do Mr. Wiser and
other large shippers and buyers tell him ? What the great western graziers say,
n
GENERAL FARMING— IMPROVED STOCK.
196
haa heon already noticed,
remarka :—
Mr. Wiaer, after referring to the tigurea juat quoted,
over a "acrub.
ar is in a foreign
rpoaes, the trade
" Thii enormouH inoreaae of exportation of (Canadian oitttle, m compared with the prevloua
ynani, hHowh that o\ir fannera are more alive to the importivnoe of stock -raiMini;, aim of im-
proviiig the quality to the Htandanl reciuired for the EngliMh markets.
" The HUvcehM which has thuM far attended the exportati )n of Canadian cattle, given great
encouragement to farmers to pay still more attention to stvHik railing and improvement of
breed."
And what are the cattle Mr. Wiser, a buyer of 1,100 hoada-annually for diatillery
feeding, wanta ? He aaya : —
" For feeding purpoBeo, good grade Durham or Hereford Hteem, three and four yeurs old,
weighing from 1,100 to 1,200 lbs., are thd most desirable, and distillera ought not to feed any
lighter cattle."
Another large ahipper, Mr. Morgan, of Oshawa, says ; —
"There is 50 per cent, difference in the value of a common Rrade steer and that of a well-
bred steer ; in fact, / would not iihip a common-bred animal at all, if I could Kelp it. It it of no
we to ship a poor animal to England. . . .
"I have shipped native xtock. I did not find it profitable to ship them, even under the
best circumstances. I would rather pay hix cents a pound for a well-bred animal than four
centsfor a common animal of equal fatnen.i. You require style and quality combined for the
EngliHh market. The texfure of the beef is better, the fat and lean are more mixed up, and
the bone is smaller in a well-breed animal than in a common one."
Mr. Britton, of Toronto, a man of very large experience in handling cattle.
Bays:—
' ' There is a great difiference in the quality of cattle, and we do not give anything like the
highest price for common cattle. You may attend twenty fairs in the back country, say on
the line of the Northern Railway, and among the 800 of all sizes, ages, and shapes which you
may see, you could not select twenty-five that would jjay their expenses to Europe. They are
generally large enough, but are mere masses of coarse, inferior, tough, and insipid meat. They
cost just as much to raise as a thoroughbred animal— in fact they consume far more food. We
buy common cattle at from two to three cents per pound in the fall, to make 'chased' or
peddling beef. This beef is sold for $9 per barrel, and the labour coats $2, leaving $7 for the
beef. It is mostly used by the fishermen of the Lowe- Provinces."
Mr. Britton mentions, too, an experiment he had once used to teat the respective
economical values of common and grade cattle. He says : —
"In 1873 I bought 103 native cattle back of Peterboro' ; they were three years old, and I
thought I would try an experiment with them. I tied them in two rows and gave them all
the hay they wanted three times a day. I also gave them corn and bran mixed. I put them
up in November and fed them seven months. Next to them I put two rows which I bought
near Goderich— all grades. I bojght the first lot for 2^0. per pound and the others at SJc.
and 3|c., live weight. I also fed them seven months. The common cattle required more
food, for they were always eating ; and during the seven months all they gained in gross weight
was 130 pounds each. The grades gained 270 pounds each. They were about the same age and
the same weight as the others. I sold the native cattle to the Americans for $4.63 per hundred
pounds, live weight ; and I got $5.37^ for the grades."
AMERICAN COMPETITION.
Mr. A. J. Thompson, another large shipper of cattle to Europe, was one of the
first witnesses to point out the vital importance of Canadian farmers shipping stock
of the highest quality in view of the severe competition to which they are subjected
by the vast numbers of improved corn and grass fed cattle of the Western States,
He says : —
" The animals that come from Kansas City are far superior to Canadian grain-fed cattle —
there is no comparison between them. People have the idea that there is no breeding among
the cattle in the Western States, but it is a great mistake, for these cattle are all pretty well
bred. The Texas and Cherokee native cattle have all been done away with, and every year
they are taking into the country the best blood they can get."
The large sales of Canadian thoroughbred Durhams and Herefords to Western
breeders and ranche men show what is going on in the great American feeding
grounds,
And from across the Atlantic comes exactly the same warning. When Mr.
106
ONTARIO AOmCULTURAL COMMISSION.
ing
Richard Hall, the well-known cattlo salomnan of Livorp )ol, was horo, during tho
m«t Burnnior, ho waH invitoil to givo ovidonco on tho trade in eattlo with (Iroat
Britain. Ho did not iay " sond ua good nativo oaUle." Nothing would have
•eonjod to him moro absurd than an attempt to luaintain tho trado with such
materials. His whole idea was a tirst-class gnido boi^st. What ho says is :— ■'* ■
There are a gn^»l many coniinon l)cantH ainonK the ranadian cattle devoid of Kfwxi breed-
... I would advine Canadian hret-iierM to nm<\ to KiiKland none hut Kood animals
. . . AHHumiriK that you farmerH pay Kreat attention to KettiiiK a^hiKh cUhh of aninialn,
thoroughly WBll-fed ImiiMtH, Mtallfud oneH, you will command an good a price for them in our
market m other KngliMh breedn."
And then he points out the character ni tho American competition by say-
ing :—
"Many of the cattle (American) I am HpeaMnpf of are good grades— what we call a real
good, UHnful butcher'd bullock. They have bon- ; but you cannot get flenh without bone. If
you gt^t w'eiik necks you will have weak chines. These cattle are animals that have been greatly
improved by the use of thoroughbred Shorthom bulls."
Finally, in tho report of Mr. Richard Gibson, one of the Commissioners, of his
visit to England last year, he says of the buyers ijii that country : —
IFnanimously they all t.peak out loud, ' Why don't your people use better b\dls ? Wa know
that you can grow as good cattle as can be found anywhere, for we have seen some sell in
public this spring f')r t'J5 each, but not one in ten of the ordinary stock you send hixs paid for
his keep. Mend them of good quality and breeding, and then, if any accident happens so that
they are bruised too bad to slaughter for market, they will sell for all that they are worth to be
grazed for a few weeks ; but no English grazier would ever think of buying such rough, coarse
8j)ecimen8 as most f'nt you send, and if your farmers had to pay rent for, instead of owning
flieir farms, they would soon be compelled to breed better stock.'"
If a Canadian ^armor wore raising cattle for his own market alone, it would le
only commonly jivudent to keep none ijut improved stock, whether he looked to
fattening a at )er, or heifer, or nov/ and then had occasion to turn a dairy cow into
beef. But if he looks, as he must look, to tho British market as his standard, he is,
with common cattle, hopelessly behind, and while his wiser neighbours will be getting
their $75 to $80, or even $100 for a good grade beast, he will be left to go a-beg-
ging to the local butcher to relieve him of his rubbish at the latter's own terms. It
is painful to read the evidence of Mr. Britton, and others, in which they describe
the (lidiculty of selecting even a few beasts fit for shipment, out of large numbers
at fairs and other places, and to refiect on the terrible loss of opportunities repre-
sented by the hundreds rejected.
GENERAL ADVANTAGES OF IMPROVED STOCK.
,, Nor ,is the direct pecuniary gain on a good grade beast as compared with a
scrub, the only advantage the farmer receives by introducing improved stock.
Everybody has heard stories written for a moral purpose, of the first reform in an
unthrifty or uncleanly household being brought about by one of its youthful mem-
bers being sent by his teacher to wash his face and hands at the school pump. It is
not too much to say that the initial step towards really good, thrifty, and profitable
farming is to be found in the outlay of the first two or three dollars on the service
of a thoroughbred bull. From that moment the farmer has something worth caring
for, and which will respond to his care. It is not very satisfactory to read that
forty-seven per cent, of the farm buildings of Ontario are of an inferior character.
But men that breed improved stock will find it is unprofitable to keep them in straw
yards, or open sheds in the winter, or in draughty barns and byres, with the winds
of heaven whistling about their flanks and converting their coats into imitations of
the hedgehog or porcupine. Good stock will pay for good housing.
But they will pay for good feeding too. The whole subject of feeding will be
noticed further on. Meantime, as bearing on the subject just now in hand, the
following remarks of Mr. L. Parkinson of Eramosa, County of Wellington, may
well be quoted here : —
" If a farmer wants to keep up the quality of his farm he must feed his coarse grains.
D, during the
u with (Iroat
: Would huvo
lo with Buch
•'»:-- ...JH
of (foixi breed-
Kood animalfi.
iMM of uniiiialM,
}r them in our
tion by say-
we call a real
hout bone. If
fo been greatly
ionera, of his
iIIh? Waknow
1 Home sell in
(1 haH paid for
iippenH HO that
tre worth to he
rough, coarHe
lad of owning
it would le
le looked to
liry cow into
ndard, ho is,
ill be getting
to go a-beg-
n terms. It
hey describe
rge numbers
nities repre-
ared with a
roved stock,
'eform in an
ithful mem-
)ump. It is
id profitable
I the service
forth caring
;o read that
r character,
em in straw
h the winds
nitations of
ing will be
n hand, the
ngton, may
oarse grains.
GENFAiAL FAHMINQ-ISJPUOVED f^TOCK.
107
BONES.
198
ONTARIO AGBICULTVMAL COMMISSION.
Without groing into figures, or making any calculation, I can say this : that in our neighbour-
hood, all the men who have raised turnips and who feed their coarse grains and hay on their
farms, and have occasionally bought a little bran :4nd other kinds of food, have done well. I
don't think any of these men hav« got mortgages on their farms, but some of them have got
mortgages on other people'e farms. I want to say this, also : an idea has got abroad that so
much of the land in Ontario is so badly fanned that it has become much exhausted and run
down. I think that ;t is true in reference to a large proportion of the land. People who sell
their hay and conrse grains, and who do not properly cultivate t'.ieir land, have their farms in
.T, pretty bad state, and between the wild mustard, Canadci thistles, and other weeds, have
their farms pretty full of floweis at this season of the year But those who havo raised cattle
and sheep, and hogs, and in that way consume their coarse grains, and apply all the manure
they can to their lands, have farms which, in my opinion, will grow now as good crops as thev
did twenty-five or thirty years ago, all other conditions being equal."
The farmer begins to grow roots and coarse grains and feed his stuff to his own
cattle when ho raises his cattle with an object, and has stock worth caring for.
Good feeding is the first necessity of good stock, and good stock means above every-
thing good farming with all that the phrase implies. It is true that the men of the
past generation and some of the present, with a virgin soil to depend upon, have
done well with verj- common stock. But the time has come when farming, to be
successful, musi, be carried on upon new methods and under new conditions.
Adveiititious advantages must be depended on no more. Skill, energy, a readiness
^ to avail of every new idea worth utilizing, are the only reliance of a dcnsible man
now-a-days, and the first thing a sensible man will do if he has not done it already,
will be to improve his stock. A pictorial illustration or two will perhaps help i.i-i
to the conclusion as to which side I . will incline in the trial of beef versus bones,
{See preceding pvge. )
COST OF THOROUGHBRED BULLS.
The cost of pure .lasing thoroughbred bulls has frequently, it may be supposed,
had something to do with the reluctance of farmers to adopt a course attended with
such obvious advantages. Formerly the expense was much heavier than it is at the
present time. In some districts visited by the Coioraissioners, the Township
Agricultural Society had very wisely expended the Government grant in purchasing
thoroughbred animals for the use of its members. In many cases a farmer finds the
investment of his own money in such a way profitable, not only so far as his own
stock are concerned, but also by reasoi. of the fees he receives from his neighbours.
After all the outlay is not great. Mr. Hobson tliinks that it will pay a farmer with
twenty or twenty-five cows to buy a bull at a cost of $300. But there is. no need to
go to so high a figure. Fashionable colours and other points are all attractions to
breeders of thoroughbred stock, and enhance the value in that way, but thi:-' add
nothing to the intrinsic merits of the animal. The average price realized by Mr.
Clay at his last auctior sale of Bow Park cattle in the States was $!.S11 yer head.
But the Bow Park herd is largely of the Bates Shorthorn breed, which is very much
in demai.d m the States, where people, too, pay higher prices than here. Mr.
Hunter, a witness before the Commission, says : —
" It would pay_ a farmer with no more than six or eight cows to buy a good bull. If, for
instance, a man with 150 acres, who followed mixed husbandry, bought a yearling bull for
$150, it would be some time before he would make his money simply from the service of the
cows ; but at the same time he must consider that he will realize the greater portion of the
money he paid for the bull by fattening it and selling it afterwards on the market as a beef
animal- say for $100. Say that the bull served ten cows— that would be equal to $30 ; and
his service for ore year woTild be equal to his keep. I consider that in the first season he
would improve Ihe native stock one-thi)d."
Mr. Watt, another very successful breeder of Durharas, the breed Mr. Hunter
also refers to, says ; —
" We have been gettihg from $100 tc $200 for bulls twelve or fifteen months old. I do
not think a bull three years of age so sure as a younger bull, although it depends very much
on circumstances whether a three-year old bull is useful c: not. I think GO or 70 cows are
plenty for one bull during the season. If he is not used more than that, he should last until
he is six or seven years old, without losing any of his prepotency."
QENEBAL FARMING— THOROUGHBRED BULLS.
199
\t in our neighbour-
ns and hay on their
have done well. I
le of them have got
s got abroad that 8o
1 exhausted and run
d. People who sell
have their farma in
i other weeds, have
) havc. raised cattle,
pply all the manure
! good crops as they
lay be supposed,
se attended with
• than it is at the
, the Township
nt in purchasing
farmer finds the
) far as his own
I his neisrhbours.
ay a farmer with
ere is no need to
II attractions to
y, but thij-' add
realized by Mr.
1 $.'^11 i-er head,
ich is very much
lan here. Mi'.
:ood bull. If, for
yearling bull for
the service of the
ter portion of the
market as a beef
;qual to $30 ; and
be first season he
Jed Mr. Hunter
lonths old. I do
pends very much
()0 or 70 cows are
should last until
sd
\
I
■ '
'■^i
1
is
■
200 ONTARIO AOBICULTUBAL COMMISSION.
Mr. Benson, of Cardinal, says : —
" A thoroughbred bull is ready for use at the age of twelve or fifteen months. I could
sell you four fit for breediuK at from $60 to $100. and I could sell yn a dozen not vet fit for
breeding at from $30 to $40; Isold one of the best this year, when dropped, for $25— that
was on the very day it was calved. For stock purposes, these are quite as good as the bulla
Mr. Clay spoke of as being worth $300. When I sold these forty animals, I weeded out of my
whole herd evervtliing ihat was at all of a common nature, and all my animals are at present
from imoort'-a stock, either from Kentucky or from England. I have generally sold all my
good bulls in the United Statt>3. I have sold tham as low as $100. The buyers come over to
me and get them."
If the Hereford breed be preferred, they can be had at about the same price,
although Mr. Stone of Guelph, famous as a breeder of Hereford cattle, says that,
owing to the demand for Hereford bulla from the Western States, he sold nothinc
in 1879 under $200.
Mr. McCrae of Guelph, sells his Galloway bulls at from $50 to $200, "accord-
ing to the quality of the animal, and the desire of the purchaser to possess it."
Of Devons, Mr, Rudd of Eramosa, says, he has obtained $220 for a bull calf ;
but that would be a specially attractive animal, foi Mr Courtico of Darlington
Township, sells Devon buUs of a serviceable age at from $50 to $100.
Of Aryshires Mr. Jardine makes a rule to sell nothing und«r $100, the price
ranging from $100 to $200. Mr. Laurie can sell a good two to three year old Ayr-
shire bull for $100.
All the animals above referred to are, of course, pedigreed, and, while a record
of pedigree alone should not be suflBcient, and every buyer should use his own
judgment as to the points and quality of the animal he is,invited to purchase, a
properly certificated pedigree should always be insisted on.
VAEIOUS BfiE£D3 OP CATTIE.
What has been said hitherto, as to the necessity of using thoroughbred stock,
has applied to no particular breed or family. The respective merits of the several
breeds referred to in the evidence, have now to be considered. And, here again, it
■ might be well to remind the reader of these notes that the question present to the
mind of the Commissioners, has not been to what point or points of excellence in
any one or more particulars any one breed may attain, nor yet to which breed
belongs the prize for beauty, docility or any other special attraction — but which is
the best breed or which are the best breeds for improving the common stock of the
country, having a due regard to the ordinary requirements of the Canadian farmer,
as already described. The Commissioners were extremely desirous to obtain all the
information they could on this point, not only by taking the opinions incidentally
of farmers examined, but by inviting the attendance of breeders of the several
varieties at Toronto, and by holding a special sitting at Guelph, the centre of a
great cattle-breeding district. They have also— since the sittings of the Commis-
sion terminated — received by correspondence some additional evidence of a docu-
mentary character respecting breeds not directly represented before the Com-
mission. An endeavour will now be made to reproduce fairly the salient points in
the whole mass of testimony.
THE DURHAM OB SHORTHORN.
The Durham, or as it is more frequently and popularly termed, the Shorthorn,
is by far the most numerously represented breed in Canada, or on this continent,
as well as in Great Britain. That fact alone if it does not attest the supremacy
of the breed absolutely, certainly establishes it by inference. But, the true
position and^ value of the Durham will have to be shown by actual facts as set
forth in the evidence. Mr. Clay of Bow Park, puts the case of the Durham as
follows : —
" The combination of blood that produced the Shorthorn has not been discovered. It is
supposed that the Shorthorn originated two or three hundred years ago in Teeswater, and
those Teeswater cattle were long looked upon as the best race of cattle in England. About
the latter end of the eighteenth century the Brothers Colling, among other breeders, took up
Spine.
iFlank.
jPiates.
flumps.
Hips.
Thighs.
Eocks.
Sind Leg.
brisket.
^osom.
1
■ -if
ji
1
11
Hi
#
A MODEL STEER, with Parts Named (as taug
1. Mouth.
11. Horns.
21. Knees.
2. Nostrils.
12. Ears.
22. Shanks.
3. Lips.
13. Neck.
23. Hoofs.
4. Muzzle.
14. Throat.
24, Crops.
0. Face.
15. Dewlap.
25. Fore Flank,
6. Eyes.
IC. Shoulders.
26. Fore Ribs.
7. Cheeks.
17. Shoulder Point.
27. Mid Ribs.
8. Jaws.
l^. Shoulder Vein.
28. Hinder Ribs
9. Forehead.
19. Elbows.
29. Barrel.
}0. Poll.
!0. Arm.
30. Belly.
:ed (as taught at the Ontario Experimental Farm).
-34
21. Knees.
22. Shanks.
23. Hoofs.
24. Crops.
25. Fore Flank,
26. Fore Ribs.
27. Mid Ribs.
28. Hinder Ribs,
29. Barrel.
30. Belly.
31. Spine.
32. Flank.
33. Plates.
34. Rumps.
35. Hips.
36. Thighs.
37. Hocks.
38. Hind Leg.
39. Brisket.
40. Bosom.
41. Chest.
42. Loin.
43. Hooks.
44. Purse.
45. Twist.
46. Pin Bones.
47. Tail Head.
48. Tail.
N 1!
L.„_
GENERAL FARMING— THE DURHAM. 201
this class and improved it Thebuii t„ which most of the cattle of the present day owe their
m pe lat.ve ment is one called 'Favourite (252).' After the days of the 'Brothers cKg and
building upon their foundation, came Bates and Booth ; and they, by a continuous process of
in-breeding, have been able to raise the Shorthorn to its excellence in tha present day There
''Z}^^^']^ connected with the Shorthorn which it is scarcely of any use to refer to now -a
great deal concerning its origin is baseil upon mystery, but it no doubt owes a orreat dell' o1
i*« .«,^°«/.^,«P.«« *» the Brothers Colling. The system of in-breeding! thougrproludng Sod
, will not do for all animals. 'Hubback' was the bull
results in the cane of the Shorthorn, „.„ ..„
that originated the family of the Duchesses."
The celebrated Ketton ox, bred by Charles Colling in 1795, would not stand
fT !J-'*""' '".J^ 'A"?'.*!^ competitors to-day, but was a wonderful advance upon
the ordinary cattle of that time. ^
KETTON OX (DURHAM), 1795.
The difference in form and finish between the Durham of 1795 and the Durham
of to-day will be seen by a comparison with the " model steer " of the accompany-
ing ])late. ^ •'
The opinions of Mr. Benson, given at various points in the course of his evidence
are expressed as follows : —
"For improving the common stock of the country I like the Shorthorn. I think Short-
horn beef IS as good beef as you need vvant, and prefer the Shorthorn for farmers' use. I have
kept distinct herds of Ayrshires and Shorthorns, and I have crossed the bulls of both breeds
on the common stock, and I like the cross from the Shorthorn very much the better, even for
milking purposes. For the necessities ot the country, I think the Shorthorns are altogether
the best cattle. . Taking milk and meat together I think the Shorthorn is thi best.
... in tne stiortnorn i think you combine every desirable quality."
Mr. John Miller, of Brougham, one of a family known throughout the Province
as stranding in the front rank 'of its agriculturists and importers of thoroughbred
otocKj s&ys ■ ■ '
' ' The best breed of cattle for the use of the ordinary farmer of this country, I think, is the
Shorthorn. Some families of them are very good milkers. I have had very good milking
Ayrshires but I have known some of the best families of Durhams to give more milk than
they would. ^ I think It is best, m breeding cattle, to endeavour to combine the two qualities
of milk and oeef. I have known grade cattle to be very good milkers-crosses of Shorthorn
bulls and Canadian cattle are just as good as the Ayrshires for milking purposes. I think it
IS very iniudicious for our farmers, if they want to get cattle either for beef or milk, to use
r.ny otner tnan tnorougnbrei! maics. jn they want to act fi>r ' '
i\y iifcii*:-; liirtii uiorougnorea males, it they .yu
have a full bred animal, and a good one at that
14
their own interests, they will
I would look for a good animal before I
202
GENERAL FARMING— THE DURHAM.
li ^ I
Hi Li i
would for a pedigree ; though if a good animal has a good pedigree also, he is so much the
better."
Mr. Charles Drury says : —
'j'^f "'"'u"'i?'**'J^- *" ^ considerable extent in stock raising. I keep good grade cattle, which
I feed for the English market. I breed my own animals, though I would prefer purchasing
and feedmg if I could do so. In my breeding I always use thoroughbred male Shorthorns."
Mr. Dickson, of Tuckersmith, •' looks upon the Durhams as the best animal for
the country."
Mr. Matheson, of the town of Perth, who had particularly in view the dairying
industry of that district, commenced liis improvements with an Ayrshire bull, but
exchanged it for a Shorthorn. He says : —
" I wanted to get an animal that would be good for dairy purposes, and that could also be
fattened for beef, if anything occurred to destroy the milk properties of the cow. The Short-
horn cross has turned out very well, and I am only sorry that I did not begin in the first place
with the Shorthorn." ■'J b f
Mr. Stephen White, of Charing Cross (Kent), says :—
"I prefer the Shorthorns to all other cattle. I have tried Galloways. I have two
thoroughbreds of that breed, a bull and cow. They are good to stand the winter, probably
equal to our native cattle ; but to improve our stock the Durhams are altogether to be pre-
ferred. The Galloways might be useful under some circumstances. As beejing cattle I find
they are an improvement on our native cattle, but a cross with the Shorthorn is better."
Mr. Stedman, of Drummond Township (Lanark), says : —
" I approve the use of the Durham, because, where the milking fails, the cow can be fatted
for beefing purposes."
^ Tliis, in fact, appears to be the prevailing view of many farmers. What can be
done with a Shorthorn heifer if found useless for dairying may be judged by a glance
at the accompanying illustration.
Fat Shorthorn Heifer, "ICICLE," the Smithfield Champion of 1878, whose total
winnings in prizes amounted to 83,212.60.
GENERAL FARMING— THE DURHAM.
he ia bo much the
203
le best animal for
B cow can be fatted
3, whose total
Looking mainly to a lieefing animal for the British market, Mr. Wiser says : -
"With reference to cattle, that which we want, in order to meet the demands of th;,
English market, is an animal as nearly an possible to the thoroughbred Shorthorn There is
no other c ass worth talking about there are other Kood cattle, such as the Pcd ed aZis"
but I don't think we could Ret the difference in price between the Polled Angus and the Uur'
ham to coim)en8ate for the difference in weight. There is no doubt the Polled Angus i 'much
desired in England ; but for the demand generally, the Shorthorn Durham is ihe thing. »
Professor Brown's testimony ig : —
for miK"di"n Jill^r^^f ^"'""'' ^^"";'J»'«« "«• Shorthorns, I would say that eftfter for beef or
for milk, 1 do not think there is anything that can equal them. I sav this adviqp.lIvTfw
nmny trials of the different breeds. They may not do so wpH »« «nm« nVhl kIII i ^'
paHture but for improving other breeds, a'l.d fo^ early m^^uHt" rndTo\S in tseu' fdoTt
think there is anything in the hands of man at the present time to excel the ShoSorn."
Mr. James Hunter gives his views in the following evidence :—
went'firft'Tf.Tli''!/?""*'' f''"'"l^i ^"^ *''^ \^^^^- , ^^ Principal reason for this is that when I
went hiHt to the o <1 country, I knew nothing al)out either of the families, and I went to sp«
some noted animals on both sides, and I «aw at a ; 'lance that in the Booth an"malswf had the
^^P^r^lfh'" "'''""^' quality, and I thought that was what we wanted in CanaTa SrT
selected them on account of their feeding f,ualitioH. I have bred principally from tie Booth •
I have not crosse. with the Bates since I commenced to import. In purchasiuL^ I ooked to
he .animal as wel as to the pedigree. We have not paid such fancy Errsome ,««
Y I certainly think a few hundred dollars are not lost if they are paiS for an extra pXr^'
t^T;eTm*mSr:te\Cltrof\;r^^^^^^^^^^ -^^ ^•^'"^ ^- ^^-^^^ ^-^ — ^-"y
oon-;RMi=r'i^.^riirt^
a ready sale for all he tull calves we could raise ; we have never had to f Itten a bull for the
want of a market since we commenced."
Mr. Armstrong of Eramosa, says : —
Von' m«*v fiL*^n^n "i'''""' T *^^ J°"'!^ profitable animals we can import into this country
\ou may take a Durham and cross it with another animal, and you will get an improvement
on that animal, but you cannot get any improvement on the Durham. I think tS the best
breed to cross on the common stock of the country. '
"For the British market," say. Mr. Morgan, "I would recommend farmws to
produce nothing but the Durham." Mr, Simmons, in connection with grazing
thinks the Durhams gam most and are the best cattle. Mr. McArthur, another
'ai^egra/ier in Middlesex, says:-" The Durhams have improved the stock most
both for fattening purposes and as milch cows for farmers." Mr. John Gearv of
London, ' prefers the Shorthorn," and says :-" To suit the market in Britain, I
woula recommend the farmers in Canada to produce Shorthorns." Maior Peters
of London, while much attached to some other breeds, "prefers the Shorthorns for
breeding good grades.' Mr. John Smitli, of Chatham, " for shipment, prefers from
one-half to three-quarters bred Shorthorns." Mr. Hiram Walker, already referred
to as one of the largest feeders of stock for shipment, says :-" We use only the
Sliorthorn for improving our stock." Mr. Ricliard Hall, of Liverpool, England ia
a salesman not a farmer, and speaks of the animal solely from a salesman's point of
view. Of the business of breeding he does not pretend to know anything, except
as regards hogs, in which he has, as an amateur, done something. But he says •—
* or the purpose of getting good grades I would recommend your farmers mainly to
cross your native cattle with Shorthorns," his opinion of the Shorthorn bein/no
ttl^7tL':::^i^r''''^'''^''^^' ^' ''^ all-prevaUingpopmarity with the
THE HEREFORD.
However numerous the champions of the Shorthorn or Durham, no animal has
wanner admirers than the Hereford. Even some of those who gave iudgment
finally in favour of the Durham, do so with the admission that the effort is a hard
one, and the word reluctantly spoken. Among the Hereford breeders in Ontario.
J 1 "j , ""®' "^G^uelph, stands foremost. He began to import them in 18G0
and had, when examined by the Cuinmissioners, a herd of 120. Mr Stone is also
i illl
a
'. 1
204
ONTARIO AOEICULTURAL COMMISSION.
a brcedor of Durhams, and V.as, of the latter, even a larger herd tlmn of the Horofords.
Ho is no prejudiced bigot in favour of one breed or another. " I have no (]ue8tion,"
he says, " in my own mind as to the grwvt utility of the Shorthorn as a means of
improving tlio stock of this country ; at the same time the Herefords have not been
used in this country to the extent tliat they ouj^ht to be." The views of such a man
are therefore entitled to great weight and respect. Mr. Stone's evidence, in fact,
leaves very little to be said by any one else in this particular connection. As to the
hardiness, early maturing qualities, and weight of the Hereford, on the same food
at a given ago, ho considers the Herefords e(|ual to the Durhams. As to their milk-
ing (]ualities, he alleges their milk is richer than the Durhams', and as plentiful in
a given period, if not at one time. He goes on to speak of their being the best
grazers of any existing breeds, and says : —
"If I had a three-year-old Durham ffrade, and a three-year-old Hereford grade in the
spring, anil tliey both weijjhed 1,500 ijonnds, and if I put them out at pastiu-e on the first of
May, I tliinU the Hnreford grade woulrl come out on the Ist of October in better condition
than the Durliam. Tlie Hereford would jjive more prime beef and lens offal. When they
went to tlie shainhlo.s the Hereford would give better cutn."
PRIZE'HEREFORD BULL.
As a proof of the value of the Hereford as a grazing animal and a close feeder,
Mr. Stone says : —
" The demand in proportion has been greater for Herefords than for Durhams during the
last two or three years. That is owing to the demand which has sprung up in the west for
cattle for grazing purposes.
"These cattle are taken out west — to Colorado, Texas, Kansas, and other States— to improve
the common stock. The age at which these cattle are purchased depemls on where they are
going to. The Texas and Colorado men would like to have them at from ten to eighteen
months old. We sold nothing last year under $200. What makes these people prefer the
Hereford is that they can get half a cent a pound more on the market for the steers of the
Herefords than they can for Durham steers.
"The difficulty with the Shorthorn is that it gets too bony and too tall. In these western
countries they have nothing but pasture, and the Hereford thrives better on it than the
Durham.
" Eight or ten years ago a gentleman came over here to buy a car load of Shorthorns. I
sold him several heifers and bulls, and I urged him to take a Heieford out with him ; at first
he would not hear of it, as Herefords at that time were not in so good demand as they are now ;
GENERAL FARMING-THE HEREFORD. 205
but finally, at my recommemlation, he took a heifer tnd a btill ; and I Rot a letter from him
KwuVhIIcI. : tnanirVrh''./^' Y^r )' ^r'.?*^""» thirteen fet..K.leHc.ndanrth^^^
there wan Huth a demand for half-ljreod Horef-.n! hulln that he could not «upnly it anc that
i centVt unrnoll^" iTh-Tl^ In Kannan City, thiH gentleman tol.l 11, he Ketn half
aren<,tBtalfed"t^fiLi!1^'^■^'7^" ^"'" ^^e half-bred Durham. The cattle
are nou stau leu ; tney are all graaa fed on paHture.'
In conclusion, and after being pretty closely questioned, Mr. Stone said :—
horn'ilSl'.rh't'l.K"'"'' Tl^y TS"""^ * "*?'« -*••'•«'•' "t ^^^ «»">« C"«t' '»!'"• the Short-
trthe ir er hi? i V*' ''"I'' ^^ *.^' arger animal. I coul.l not say which would .dtimately
whether ^nZw ,1 f 7"'* "."/««'«"'»f ^^em for four or six yearB, aM it woul.l .tepend on
m re co^^^^^^^ n"*{.''* cr nljape. The Herefor.l in rather a smaller boned an.l
h^r^vTtK ™ n ^M ^ 7ri" ** **]* l^""" ^«''«'^*- I think the Hereford w<.ui.l be as
LSe*^H.>r.for!ll?tL ' '"' "'« V"'"'^",",' "f **"« '"^'n« «K« ""'l "P"" the Name feed. I think »•
^'ual feed." ^"'"' '^ ''""''* ''^ '^"''^ *" "^ »^'*''*^ Shorthorn of the same age, upon
Mr. Stono;8 views found a very warm seconder in Mr. George Hood, also of
(.uelph. He 18 uitensely enthusiastic in favour of the Hereford, and perluir,8 would
do more for his case if he were to present it rather less fervidly. For instance, ho
says :— l never had a Hereford that did not come out with the highest honours
in the ring ; I have shown them along with other breeds as breeders, but the
Durhams generally beat thuiu-prejudico beat them." The gratuitous boast only
led to the subsequent confession that the "highest honours" were unsubstantial.
\\ hatever the value of the "highest honour8,"it was the Durhams that took the prizes.
JNor If an exhibitor chooses to place himself in the hands of judges, is it fair for him
to allege that only " prejudice " has guided their decisions, because they happen to
give his exhibits only second place. But, as a matter of fact, the Herefords need
no boasting, for being serviceable cattle of a very high order indeed, their friends
need tear no detractors. It may be an open question whether the prepotency of
the Hereford male animal is greater than that of the Durham, although Mr. Hood
lias settled it afhrmatively, once for all, in his own mind, and no doubt most con-
scientiously believes it But, on some points, ho is quite in harmony with the
testimony of others. He says, for instance :—
of th^Dnrhfim^in fw7 n"'' ^""^ *" Durham steer on pasture, the Hereford would be far ahead
II ^'^/^""'^•" '" the fall, as a eeneral rule. It is the exception to get a Durham that would
eJnilienPP fJT'''' beside the Hereford. I have no doubt of that, both from iny own
experience, and frcmi what I have seen in the cattle that I have bought from others. 1 have
not bought many Hereford steers of that character, because they fre -^ot extSely gone
T?Mr;,n;.„", • .IwaiSPejiking to-day to Mr. Goodfellow, a townsman, wao is shipping for the
&K H/rJL ".I ^."^' '\^''' ^*.f "'^ '^"'* }"' '^''^ *° "'«• 'y"" should haVe se^'en some
lialt-breed Herefords that we got from the State of Ma me; I had some on the last shiDment
eaW^'T "Ta^T:"7'•^'"^'i''^**^^"V:, ^ ^^^^^^l ^Im if he liked that kind of cttk'^nd he
saw, 1 get all 1 can lay my hands on. '
As a butcher, too, Mr. Hood has an experience that is valuable. He says :—
«r,n " w^'^ ^' °"t difference between the Hereford and the Durham wnich is a very great
one._ \^ e have not killed many pure-bred Herefords in this country-they are too valuable :
but m slaughtenng, you can take out the paunch of a Hereford steer with one hand, while
you have sometimes to get two men to pull out the paunch of a Durham. The Hereford
carries his beef on the most valuable parts. He is superior to the Durham on his back and
WlMh.rJKJ^V •if"P^''"I- '" **'^ ^''?.^ ?;"'^ the crops, as well as in the plates and
Wt W if r 7 'V" «""|etimes get a Durham with a heavy rump, and a tolerably good
5nn\f 1 y'Ylo"J=,/lown along the ribs, you will find that it is l5lue and poor. I have
slaughtered and hand ed a good many first-class cattle in the Dominion. Taking a Hereford
f HWnwf w %I^yl"im/'-ade steer at three years old, and fed on the same amount of feed,
1 think the Hereford would outweigh the Durham, because the Durham requires more feed
tL,f!.f "P constitution. 1 have had first cross Herefords, both heifers and steers, and
^p7fp3^''v^M^^•'"'^, ^'i r'^r'''';^ ? ^^y *i^" y^^^ "^ o^^^n. cross-bred Herefords, at the
sTnnU fh^f .v'^-^'l^'V""' bred by Mr Burleigh. State of Maine, Trom a bull of Mr. Stone's
stock, that weighed over 2,700 pounds each."
When some of the Commissioners were in Muskoka, they met with Mr. E G
Muntz of Alport, on the Muskoka River, near Bracebridge. Mr. Muntz owns a
herd nf Herefords, having selected them after some expurieuco with the Durhams
f--t:
m
aoo
ONTARIO AOJilCULTUUAL COMMIHHWN.
— althou^h itoihnpB not a very Icing or sovcro triivl— an espociiilly adaptod to that
now ana Bonmwhat rough country, whoro tho pasturing of cattlo i» likwly to bo tlio
chiof branch of agricultural indimtry.
Tho favourable opinionB cxproHBcd as to tho value of the Horefords as grazors,
are vory strongly contirmod by tlio ovidonco of Mr. Albin Rawlinus, of Forest
(Lanibton), already niontionod as an oxtensivo cattlo grazior. Mr. Uawlings says : —
"Tlusre in no (Iiiubt in my mind tiiiit tiie HerffordH uro lu-ttor tluvii tlie Dnrliunix, The
AmericanH art) Kottin^' our bt'Ht nude liortfordH, and imr fivrnitrs are loninK by it. Soino i)f
our aKricuitural Hocietieg havo not properly oncouraKKti HerefortlH. Tliere iire a lar(<e (piantity
of Herefordu in Ciiiehec now. Tliey are becoming jiopulur nioto and more, ami are Iwing
shipputl very fiv.st. Their merit iw tiiat they are banlier and i<e«»p in ^'ood condition. When
they are niiikini; tbey iteep in umul condition, and afte-' they become dry tliey are iieef in aixm"'
two niontliH. I had iwvlf-breed Horufcird cowh tliJM Hunmier that put on more HoMh in six woekn
than any other l)reed 1 had did i.i nine weel<H. They are very funt feederH on panture.
" I liad Diirhanm and Herefordu together in tho name jiaMture tliin year. On |)antnre the
HerefordH K«t far ahead of the DurliantH. I think tlie [fereford bull nan tliu name i)ower of
Btampint,' his own merits upon common cattle that tho Shorthorn lias. I would lilte to see
Shorthorns ami Herefords both etjually encouraKt-il as a means of improviuf; the common
stock of the country. ... I have seen Herefords in the United States market outsell
anythiii)^ else, by from one-(piarter to ono-half cent a pound. I should say that in proportion
to bone and beef, the Herefords have u little less bone. The worst feature you can tim!
against them is that they are a little heavier in tho fore ipiarter."
Mr. Ilawlings, however, makes the rather important admission, " You can't get
a Hereford of three years old as heavy as a Shorthorn."
It is probable that Professor Brown pretty nearly liits tho mark when ho says
in his evidence : —
"When we speak of the Hereford, we speak of something that does not on the avera(,'e
equal the Shorthorn in weight or in early maturity, but we do spoak of something that will
endure hardships better, and thrive butter on poor pasture. The Hereford is very consider-
ably ahead of the Shorthorn in regard to its value for grazing purposes. We may say, there-
fore, that the Shorthorn is a better stall-feeder than the Hereford, and that the Hereford is a
much better grazer than the Shorthorn. "
No one can pretend to say tliivt the Herefords, are not, in such a country as
Canada, a most valuable breed. If it should be found, as it may be that, not in
Muskoka alone, but in large tracts of country lying still farther to the northward,
there are lands suited for grazing in the summer months but not available for
other purposes of agriculture, the value of the Hereford will become even more
apparent.
THE DEVONS.
If the Devons were to be judged solely by appearance, their comeliness and
beauty would secure them a very high place. They are favourites with all, and
have many commendable qualities, some of which are not to be lost sight of in
estimating their value to the Canadian farmer.
Mr. George Rudd of Eramosa, and who also farms in the Township of Puslinch,
ia a breeder and enthusiastic admirer of the Devons. There are two breeds, the
North and South Devons — the former rather the larger and finei A She two. It is
those Mr. Rudd refers to in his evidence, and probably other witnesHos also. Mr.
Rudd claims, and his allegations so far will hardly be questional t? ,i, tb Devon
is a docile, tractable, and at the same time, very active animal. As working oxen
the Devons probably Lake the hrst place. Mr. Rudd says on that point : —
"As working oxen I consider the Devons superior to all other breeds, as they are very
quiet and tractable. . . . The Devons are very sharp cattle and smart on their feet."
Of their quality ;,8 breeding cattle Mr. Rudd says : —
" They art vey ij > -i! nurses and do remarkably well with their calves. • . . They are
uncommonly ;.'(: ■ i c v v' >;v8 av:d keep their calves very fat."
Mr. Rudd a,' a i;iveuer does not pretend to much experience in feeding for ship-
ment, but says : - -
"During the last three years I have had a great many bulls— more than I wanted ; and
pted to that
«ly to bo tlio
Ih ns graxors,
(8, of Forest
lings says : —
iiii'liuiiiH, The
Y it. Si)ini) i)f
lutKt)<l»antity
anil art) Iming
litioii. When
e lieef in aixm"'
!<h in ttix wtitikH
itMtiire.
)n paHtnre the
same power nf
tild like to m^e
; the coininnn
inarktit outHell
t in propoi'tiiiii
I you can tind
^ou can't get
ivhen lie says
in the avera(,'e
;hing that will
very cnusider-
lay say, there-
) Hereford is a
a country as
) tliat, not in
3 northward,
available for
e even more
meliness and
with all, and
t sight of in
of Puslincli,
) breeds, the
10 two. It is
IS also. Mr.
1, th Devon
r'orking oxen
they are very
heir feet."
. . They are
ling for ship-
[ wanted ; and
QENERAL FAliMlNO—TllE DEVONS.
207
if
DEVONS.
208
ONTARIO AGRICULTUBAL COMMISSION.
this spring x sold two two-year-old bulls, weighing 3,330 pounds, for $5.25 a hundred-deliv-
ered the same day for shipment. The same day I saw other good steers sold at $5 a hundred
w^u ®L ^^''^" *^°. '^"nths later. So the Devons must be considered better for shipment
With the same quantity of feed they seem to take on flesh better than the Durhams. I had a
bulJ at the Gentennial at Philadelphia, that weighed between 2,;i00 and 2,400 pounds : he
was nine years old. ' > t- >
He also claims for the Devons that they "produce very nicely mixed beef, and
of very fine quality."
As to hia comparative trials of the Devons with other breeds, Mr. Rudd says :—
"I kept Durhams before I kept Devons. One winter I thought I would like to try the
Durhams again, and I sold out all 7ny Devons, and bought a lot of Durhams for which I paid
a big price ; and after I had kept them for six or eight months I got sick of them - -I thought
I was nowhere— and before the sumirdr was out I sold them all and bought back the Devons
1 considered the Durhams were much harder to keep ui) and look after, and that they did not
pay for the extra trouble and expense. The Devons are a hardier cattle, much moi e tractable,
and more easily managed and taken care of than the Durhams ; but the temperament of cattle
depends very much on the way they are managed. I have sold more Devons of late than I
did.
Major Peters, who has had some experience with the Devons, says :—
" In the past I have bred mostly Devons, but we are not breeding them so much now. I
prefer Durham cattle, as there is more demand for them in the market. They are the best
breed for improving the common stock of the country, both for dairy purposes and for beef.
We have raised some splendiil steers from Canadian cows crossed with Devon bulls, but
they are not so heavy as the Durhams, and I prefer the Shorthorn for breeding good grades
. . . Shorthorns weigh full 300 or 400 lbs. heavier than Devons, but we sometimes get
better prices for nice Devon heifers, if they come in about Christmas.
" I think there is a difference between the Devon beef and the Durham beef— much the
same as there is between Southdown mutton and Lincoln or Cotswold mutton— I mean that
the Devon is shorter grained .-.nd nicer. I don't know that I could tell the difference at the
table— the ditference is not so g..at that I could tell it from the meat alone. The
only quality for which I prefer the Devon cattle to the Durham is the superiority of their
meat.
Mr. Morgan, as a shipper, also makes reference to the Devons. He says :—
"The reason I advocate the giving of prizes for Devons is because of the fine quality of
their beef. Ihere is about the same difference between Durham and Devon beef that there is
between Cotswold and Southdown mutton. It is a hard matter to get a good Devon wei-'hin-'
more than 1,200 or 1,300 pounds. You would have to pay a great deal more freight on tTiem"
and you would not get any greater price for them in England. *
"If you take a thoroughbred Devon and a thoroughbred Durham and feed them the same
until they are three years old you will find 300 pounds more beef on the Durham than on the
Devon^ and you will get that extra beef carried free to England. If you could get hold of
good Devon steers and heifers together I think, perhaps, they would command a little better
price.
iu "^ rn? "°*^ M^'"'^ Devons ever will become so popular that we could get shipments of
them, ihey will never become so popular as the Durhams, though they are a nice breed of
cattle. '
Mr. Courtice, who has some pure Devons, says : —
"I have some pure Devon cattle, but my milch cows are grades of various kinds The
Devon cattle fatten very easily, and make a large amount of beef on small feeding. They are
also good butter cows, giving an extra quality of very rick milk. I send the milk to the
factory, I have not given much attentipn to stall feeding. There is a difficulty now in getting
pure Dev(m bulls for crossing. I imported pure-bred Devons at first.
" Devon calves require to be well attended to, so that they get a good start. There is not
much demand for Devons now, either in the United States or Canada. The Devons make a
very good cross on large, roomy cows, which have two or three crosses of the Durham in them ;
but I would not recommend them for cro. .ing on the common stock of the country. I think
they give better milk but not so much as Durhams of a good milking family."
The candid admissions of this witness, that he would not recommend the Devons
for crossing on the common stock of the country must be tlie ccmclusion of every-
one who reads the evidence without prejudice. Professor Bruwn evidently takes
that view when he says : —
"The Devon cattle I cannot recommend as equal to the other beefers named unless it be
idred— deliv-
$5 a hundred
"or shipment,
ms. I had a
pounds; he
1(1 beef, and
idd says : —
ke to try the
which I paid
ti —I thought
the Devons.
they did not
ne tractable,
lent of cattle
if late than I
luch now. I
are the best
d for beef,
on bulls, but
good grades,
uietimes get
f — much the
I mean that
jrenee at the
. . . The
rity of their
says : —
le quality of
that there is
on wei^diing
[ht on them,
8m the same
than on the
I get hold of
little better
hipments of
ice breed of
kinds. The
. They are
milk to the
w in getting
rhere is not
ons make a
m in them ;
■y. I think
he Devons
1 of every-
uitly takes
unless it be
GENERAL FARMING— THE GALLOWAYS.
209
forrich milk m moderate quantities. The Devon is slower for our purpose of raising beef
rapidly for the British market. As workers, with strength and endurance, the Devons arij
hrst-class animals, and they are found of large valua in clearing our back townships."
For quality of milk, firmness of flesh, and liveliness on their feet, the Devons
may be duly honoured, but for quantity of milk, size, and shipping qualities, it is
idle to pretend they can compete with either the Durham or Hereford, as the breed
which is to improve the common stock of the country.
THE GALLOWAYS.
The Galloways had their special ailvocate before the Commissioners in'thelfperson
of Mr. McCrae, of Guelph, who has a fine herd of them, and is warm in his praises
of their qualities.
The hardiness of the Galloways is undisputed, and the absence of horns may
a so, on sliipboard or in railway cars, be an advantage. Mr. McCrae, however,
claims for them other <iualities than tliese. He says : —
•1, " ^.°,''°^,* ^•°™ ^ f^alloway bull and a eomm.in native cow, if fed till'it is t re vears old
will weigh from 1,600 to 1 700 lbs. I have five three-year old Galloway steers at present
which I have been offered .^100 apiece for, if fed for six niunths. I have had Galloways at
two years and a-half weighing 1,500 lbs. With regard to their milking qualities, we do not
breed them for milking purposes, but the best milking cows we have had of .any breeds have
been (xalloways ; still, these are exceptions, and not the rule. We use them for breeding
purposes, and let them nurse their own calves, which destroys any cows for milking I con-
sider the Galloways a good hardy breed to bo kept distinct. Their beef is reckoned to be of
the very best quality— eciual to that of the West Highlander. Some Galloway grades which
were taken from the Township of Nichol to England were sold for £3 a head more than other
beasts— Durham grades— same weight."
As to their feeding and fattening qualities, he says : —
" In the winter we feed our Galloway cattle on turnips and straw until the month of ApriL
and we hti(l they do well on that. It would cost -Ahnnt one- fourth less to bring a Galloway
steer to weigh 1,500 ll>s. than a Durham steer ; in feeding them together I have found that to
be very near the proportion. T do not think I could obtain cpiite the same flesh on the Gallo-
way a , three years old as I could on the Durham : the Durham iniL'ht weiuli from 100 llw t<>
lau lbs. more. 1 he steers for which I was ottered slOO apiece weighed over 1,200 lbs, and
were a little over two years ond a-half old. A gentleman from England was at my place, and
going over the farm and looking at the cattle ; for the first one he saw he said, that if I would
teed him for six months and make him fat, he would give me §100 ; and when he saw the resfc
210
ONTAEIO AGBICULTUBAL COMMISSION.
im
fc^T'l n^ *,^*^ ^-^^^^ ^' J''"™, l^ ^■^""^'^ ^^^^ *h«°^ ^o*- «'-^ ™o"th3. He was from tiie
&he En Ssh market^''^ °*"^ *" country for the purpose of buying cattle
It is not, however, on hard fare Mr. McCrae brings his Galloways in perfection,
lor jig s&ys i —
Th,-« vIVt'^^-^i'""' *^ ■'"""^''^y^ ^y feeding them plenty of good pea-meal and a little brau.
onp tlT^vl 'J -f T fl '^%T^ *T •"■ '''t^I hundred-weight of oil-cake and I think we have about
tha"r -ill 1 I*'- J'^''.""ly ^^'^y I know of to make shippers aware of the goo.l quality of
very well Iw^al'e^ of H*" '''"'^ '^ ^^^"^ *^^^ ^"^^ ^^^^ ^"""^ ^''^^ "^'^^ ^**'^°''"'
Remarking further that, by careful selection, good milking strains of Galloways
can be secured, and on the adaptability of the Galloway to extremes of climate, Mr
McCrae, says : —
whnmV''.?!"-'' '■«'"',n?'»!n'^ tj>? Galloways as being adapted to farmers of the smaller class, with
wnom tied IS an object, and farmers whose land is somewhat rough."
The reports of the Galloways from farmers who have tried them, however, are
not particularly enthusiastic in their behalf.
+1, ^^^ °P^"io" of Mr. Stephen White, of Charing Cross, Kent, with reference to
tne Oalloway, has already been quoted in connection with his views respecting the
Uurham. '■ *=
Mr. Stedman (Lanark) says of the Galloways : " The Galloways are hardy and
good for beehng, but not equal to good Durhams as milkers. "
Mr. Geary, of London, says of the breed :—
•' I have made no comparative tests of the different breeds for fattening purposes. I have had
experience with the Black Galloways on the common or native cattle, butYprefer the Short
n^\li. •^'le Galloways don t domesticate as quickly as the others, and are naturally wilder,
very good steer '" ^^ "°* '" '"^^''^'^- °"' ""'''' °^ * Shorthorn bull will make a
Mr. Simmons, Middlesex, has had considerable experience in feeding Galloways
both on grass and distillery feed, and gives the result as follows :—
,r. "^ ^'^tI ?'\''® comparative tests of different breeds for fattening purposes. A number of
Kff!f I 1 ? '" '' clistillery five or six years in succession. I had a large number of cattle
oUliffereiit breeds, among them some pure-bred Galloway bulls, and grade Gallowav steers
I found them to be the v;ery worst cattle I had. They did not thrive well at all. They were
very cross-tempered, and the more Galloway blood they had in them the worse they were.
^rZ7t}' 1 TW'^'' ''f *.^";Tv.*''^^■'',™ "'' f'-irm-yard than in the stalls of a distillery. ^I have
grazed them, but I found that they did not put on flesh as the Durham cattle did, though thev
^ai'n n^Lf rZfr?k Cross when the cow is a good Durha,n grade, but I think the Durhams
gain most ana are trie best cattle. . . ,
"I laid myself out to improve my stock by crossing, and anything I have bred I have
always bred to a thoroughbre. bull. I never tried thoroughbred Gallotays on my farm I
foYnd tSVlfpf n- 1 \^'^* ^''""^^ '" ^^'''i^ "' ^.rV''t ^^^'^ *''^'" *'^1 *^^ f^"> *nd I have always
lound tliat they did not improve so well as the Durham grades.
"These were from Galloway bulls crossed with fair Durham grades. Those in the distil-
Jery were very disagreeable to manage, but I believe it was caused by their temper, and I have
tonncl th.at if you cannot get amiiials quite reconciled to their position, they will not feed well.
I do not think their flesh was preferred to that of other breeds. At any time I have had them
to market the Initchers^ were always shy of them. If their meat is better than that of others
the butchers have not found it out. Black cattle of certain varieties are rather popular with
the butchers in England, but from what I can learn, the Gallowavs are not a class of cattle
that command high prices there. I gave the Galloways just the same feed as tho Durham
gi.ades, but they did not improve so fast. I am now speaking of my feeding in the distillery
and grazing. I would not like to give an opinion adverse to that of Mr. McCrae as to the
utility ot tfie Galloway as an economical feeder on poor farms in early settlements. We used
to h,ave a number of pure-bred Galloways in our district, but thev are all disappearing, their
disappearance being the result of our experience of their unprofitableness."
Finally we turn to Mr
demand : — ■
i, in'JnLnf* Galloway ranks about equa! with the Polled Angus ; but a middling Galloway
is just about as bad a bullock for a butcher as you can select ; he kills very coarse indeecf.
J. he Galloway will bring more per pound than any other breed except the Aberdeen, but he
Hall's allusion to Galloways in connection with tho British
vas from tiie
buying cattle
perfection,
1 little brail,
e have about
111 quality of
' will become
Galloways
limate, Mr.
jr class, with
)wever, are
eference to
pecting the
hardy and
I have had
:r the Short-
rally wilder,
will make a
Gralloways,
\. number of
iber of cattle
)way steers.
They were
i they were,
sry. I have
though they
le Durhama
)red I have
ly farm. I
lave always
n the distil-
and I have
it feed well,
e had them
it of others
)pular with
S3 of cattle
10 Durham
le distillery
le as to the
, We used
iring, their
ho British
f Galloway
rse indeed.
!en, but he
GENERAL FARMING— THE POLLED ANGUS.
211
does not cut as streaky as the Polled Angus. If you feed a Galloway bullock and a Shorthorn
together, and feed them exactly alike, the beef of the Galloway will eat better than that of
the Shorthorn, and it is the same with feeding Leicester sheep and Southdowns together. The
Galloways are not the most paying cattle though. Next to the Polled Angus or Scot iu point
of quality I would put the English Shorthorn."
Black cattle are, undoubtedly, favourites with the English butchers. And Mr.
Hall's authority as to the value of the Galloway well fed and got into prime condi-
tion for market is not to be disputed. But Mr. Hall does not take into account the
respective maturing qualities of the breeds, nor the probable relative weights of the
several classes of cattle. And he must have, too, a prime beast as his standard, for,
he says, " a middling Galloway is just about as bad a bullock for a butcher as you
can select ; he kills very coarse indeed."
The only fair conclusion to be come to frcmi the evidence is that, tried with the
Hereford and Durham, the Galloways liave n" been found profitable; tliat to mako
good beef of them they must be as well fed as a Shorthorn, although they might
live where a Shorthorn would starve ; that they have no special merit as milkers,
and that their value would be chiefly, if not altogether, as pioneers of improvement
in new settlements where the housing and feeding were both rough, and the means
of a settler unequal to the purchase of either a Durham or Hereford bull.
THE POLLED ANGUS OR ABERDEEN POLLED.
The Polled Angus cattle being black, and without horns, are frequently con-
founded with the Galloways, althougli an entirely distinct breed, as may easily be
observed by comparing the two. The Polled Angus are a highly improved breed,
long established in Aberdeenshire, on the east coast. The Galloways are from the
county bearing their name, on the western seaboard of Scotland. Very little has
yet been known of the Polled Angus cattle in Canada, but what has been heard of
them has generally been in their favour. A short account of their origin and
history may be interesting to some who are unacquainted with either, or with the
cJiaracteristics of the breed.
From the very earliest times Aberdeenshire, in Scotland, and particularly that
part of it called "Buchan," has been pimous for its breeds of cattle, the name
itself, so it is said, being derived from the fact that it paid tribute to the Romans
in oxen, " Buchan " being derived from the Gaelic word " bo," an ox, and " caen,"
the head or poll. With the three brothers known as the " stately Williamsons,"
the largest dealers in cattle of their day, the Aberdeen Polls were, during the last
century, sjiecial favourites ; and later still, they Avere the chosen breed of Watson,
of Keillor. It was, however, chiefly by William McCombe, of Tillyfoiir, a member
of a family whose intense enthusiasm in cattle breeding could be traced back for six
or seven generations, that the Aberdeen Polls were so greatly improved and brought
prominently into notice. From 1830 to the time of his deatli, not long since, Mr.
McCombie bent all his energies to the task of making his Polled Angus herd famous
in the land. His skill as a breeder, and practised judgment, were extraordinary,
and enabled him, by careful selection and in-breeding of tlie most judicious cliar-
acter, to produce a race of animals that were able to send to the great shows repre-
sentatives that could hold their own against all comers.
The victories won by the Polled Aberdeens in the prize ring would be too
numerous to recajjitulate here. SufHce it to say it was a Polled Angus bullock that
carried oil" Prince iVlbert's cup, at Poissy, in 1802, the competition being between
all the breeders of the world ; that a Polled Angus yearling bull won the g( >ld medal
of his class at Paris, in 1878 ; that a Polled Angus has repeatedly gained the chief
prizes at Birmingham, and canned off the champion cup on at least tliree occasions
at the great Christmas cattle show in London, the last of these triumphs being at
the show for 1880. The Tillyfour herd now exists no longer. On the 20th of last
August it was sold by auction and dispersed. The accompanying plate supplies a
very excellent illustration of the Polled Angus breed, of which some very tine
iinimals are to be seen at the Agricultural College and Model Fanu at Guelph.
'ii
I
212
ONTARIO AORICULTUBAL COMMISSION.
Professor Brown says of these Aberdeen Polled cattle :—
inaturU"it?8Tnri"to'?h«*'^hn!.fT:'*^ ^^.t ^^^^^deen Polled, and it h well known that for early
in iio^v ngoZr brLc^^^^^^ T*' ''"■^Z'^' °"'' experience goes, equal to i^
time L zna? caKhemt r^c" nTbSe^C^^^^^^ '" " ""*"" *'"" ^' ''' P""'^'
seco^?i^n*?%^^*' ''^ Jiu ^V*^'^ ^"y^^ «^ ^'''* «*«Je P«"«d Angus does not rank
second even to the great Shorthorn. Mr Hall, in his evidence, says —
nuamy^are%Te*AbmfeenXt^ ^""^t^ r'^'\ *^"^° ''^^'^ ^'^"'^ ^^«^''' i" E?^"* "^
strTalcraTth^e'LZringus" "^ "^^'^Nex^io'tre^klt^A'^'^^''-^^^^ '^"•^^ ^°* «"* -
I put the English ShorthSrnor' Durham # ^''^ "^"^"^ °' ^'°' ''^ P°'°' °^ ^"^^^^t^
Mr. Hall adds, further on :—
nati3aU*le'mai'nlv^J^S}f1h "^h^""*^ ^^''^ "^""'^ recommend your farmers to cross your
PoB An-^u8^s an ^.nTnSl '?^°''.^horn, and only to cross once. I would also recommend the
the ShoVth^rri^riruZ „!. ^P-^ov'ng 7^^}- stock ; I think the Polled Angus crossed with
tfL^B o f>!!> Tu i^il® *? excellent animal for the butchers— that is one cross I would
Jrn«« fhi Pn"^^^"' Shorthoru cow and cross her with a Polled Angus bull I would a so
t^Clnd wolw KInv ^""'•"f ^^ Tu""- ^ ?^° "?* ^"^'^ thoroughbred steers sent 'ver
anvtK belter than a sLTlf^ *^t" "*^'? ''^^}^^- "^^^^^'^^ ^"^ would succeed in making
LtVaor"d'inarrcat«eTnto EngS" '"'"' *" '"^' ''°'''" ^"'^ '^'^ '^'^'^ ^""'^
hrpJ^«S! ''^'Tf' /^^ *''^ information to be obtained as in the case of the other
breeds from oral testimony, reference has been made to Wallace's Monthly, a well
known American publication, in which, in the February number for 1879 is a
communication from Mr. Thomas Ferguson, a breeder of the Aberdeen Pedis for
torty yeais, and residing near Keillor, already mentioned as the farm of Mr. Watson,
XMrktufolX^^^^ '" ''''''' '^ *^^ P^^P^*-^y °^ ''- ^«"«^ ^^^^^^
theSt^l^^^SS
be a vigorous race of cattle, most of them, if n* all of them^ black and polled like t e si^e I
irnniT"^" ^ t''^ °^ twenty VVest Highland cows-a breed of cattirvhhvty long and ;erv
S bTack 'bn^a ri Tf '''*^, "" ^"^^f ^u"8"« ^11. ^"'^ every calf was polled, mo^st of them
Hlhlanri ^nn^hnlfl V'"'!, '°^T- , ^".^'^^ higher or glen districts of Perthshire, this West
SSf P, lin^;tef ^'ff^-"t!' ^™"** exclusively to prevail, but through the persistent
use ot Polled bulls the cattle in this district are now almost all black and polled ciuite as laref.
m size and of as good -quality as the pure Angus." ^ ' ^ ^^
■Pr.^?^}7 writers argue very vigorously in favour of crossing the Durham with the
l-olled Angus with the object more particularly of abolishing the horns, which it i&
mged are, in the Shorthorn (as the popular name implies), a very weak element in
the animal s composition, and easily to be disposed of by the prepotency of a Polled
male. One of these writers says : — t j
nn,/.ft^^ }°\^ °l u^^ Shorthorn cattle is less a characteristic and feature of the breed than
any other tribe of horned cattle with which I am acquainted. In the females especially, its
development IS generally unsatisfactory from its uncertainty. It never has a stron- robust
growth, and there is no telling what shape it may assume, there is a kind of unhealthy ten-
It sePr^«''tnrVi •''^* '"^^'' ""' ^ "u^"l^^^ *^" "'"'^ *^^^ ^"'"'^ «li°'ht contact may knock It off.
"^f"i«h'^'^Jly'n accordance with the nature of the animals to develop horns at all, and
bTn f. f ''"' ^"* httle beyond the merest rudiments of horns. Indeed we believe there have
trZ. ft )'^\^? ^I'u^ t'^^'^ *" df y'^^'y ^^^" rudiments. It follows then, that of all the
Ih^fjt . K*^ "'■'.".^ ^p'.^T^.V^T^'lJ^f ^^^ ™"-''* """''^y eliminated from the Shorthorns by
tn.t f /k^p"u i f'' ^°"!'^ ^ ""'^'; T''« introduction of a bull of the vigorous and prolific
stock of the Polled Angus mto a herd of Shorthorn cows would be very apt to result in a large
majority of the progeny being without horns," -»uii, m u, iart,e
There is a good deal of resemblance in form between the two Iicrds as w-ll a=
m some of their characteristics. Whether there exists any relationship bet"«reeu
them or uot, is uncertain, but such has been more than hinted at. When a witness
GENERAL FARMING— THE POLLED ANGUS.
213
8 not rank
xn
P
<
o
214
ONTARIO AOBICULTUBAL COMMISSION.
before the Commission once irreverently spoke of the Shorthorn as "only a made-up
beast, he was probably stating a simple truth, although the "makincr-up" haa
resulted in a creature as nearly perfect as possible. And there is nothing stranrrg
or injurious to either breed, in the suggestion that either one may have been°at
some period used to improve the other. At all events, the similarity is sufficiently
close to remove all fear of a too violent cross, if the two be now bred together, or
the Polled Angus or bhorthorn bull used on grades of the other breed. The Polled
Angus, as well as the Galloway, retain a fixity of colour unknown to the Shorthorn.
Ihe Polled A.ngus have from time immemorial been black, while the Shorthorn has
been everything from pure white to red. Mr. John Miller, alluding to this feature
in the Shorthorn s history, says : —
o Jih^u^''^ tried a cross between an Ayrshire cow and a Shorthorn bull, and have obtained
Lw 1^ ^ F""^ riT''^;^ We know that by continuous breeding of the Shorfhorns their
colour has changed hke the fashions White was the tirst fashionable colour, and then roan!
The Shorthorns when I knew them first were a diflferent shaped animal irom the animal w^
fc^r~vr^ "^T ^""'^^^ and coarser lied seems now t^ be the fashionable colour I
;Sal8 Xgether"^ '"''''' '"'" "^^^'"' *^'" *^' ^''^ '"^' ^'^^'' ^^'^'''' ^""^ better
The evident merit of the Polled Angus breed, and the absence of general
information about them m this country, has induced the Commissioners to notice
them rather fully. One or two more extracts referring to points of interest con-
nected with them may be prohtably inserted. One writer says, with reference to
crossing the Polled Angus on the Shorthorn :—
"It is probable that the size of the Shorthorn would be somewhat reduced which might
not be a disadvantage but his quality would not be impaired. Indeed, there can hlrdl^ fe a
doubt that the quality of the meat would be improved. On this point, however, we are not
left to reason or conjecture, for the cross has been tried with most liappy results A dfst"n-
guished Scotch authority says: 'Of all the varieties of cross-bred cattlef there is none more
satisfactory or remunerative than the Polled Angus, or Aberdeen, and the Shorthorn It
grows to a large s,ze, .shows great aptitude to fatten, and when kil ed, the fat and lean are
found to be distributed over its caruass in most desirable proportions."
. J^'^t"'^^^^'"° ™^'\^ ""^ }^'^ P°"^ *° "'i *h« I"sh cattle of their horns is referred
to by Mr. J^erguson, already mentioned, who says :—
"Although I have all my life been a breeder of cattle, this is more of a feeding than a
breeding <li8trict. We are largely dependent upon Ireland for our supply of feeS cattle
and although the Society or the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is dZ^ its best to^prevent
the 'barbarous and cruel 'oj-eration of horning cattle, the inhuman practice still to aS?n
extent prevails. Ireland, however is now finding it to her interest to use Polled bulls exten
soon to ceaJe!-''"" """^ ^"'''^'' ^""^ ^^' ""^'"''''^^ ^"^ ^^'' '^'•"*'*1 Practice is hleiy
1, FTo^i'i "^i'*!" ^^g^^d Jo their milking qualities. Lord Airlie, the owner of a
herd of Polled Angus cattle, writes as follows, to the North British Agriculturist:—
"I have read with interest the article on ' Polled cattle for Shipment Abroad, ' extracted
from a Is ew \ ork paper, which appeared m yesterday's North British Agricultarist. I should
thmk the Polled Angus well suiteti to roughing it on the American prairies. As regards their
suitability for crossing with the native breeds, the late Mr. Grant tried the experiment in
Kansas and he found the crosses from Polled bulls and American cows arrived on an average
men7being\Tif sanS" "''''''' "" °°''' °^ *''" '^""^ '^'"^ '^"'^ Shorthorn bulls, age and treai
"I observe that the writer of the article states that the Polled Angus cows are bad
milkers. It is the fashion to say so ; and no doubt if you breed exclusively for show-yard
purposes, and for beef-i.roducing, you will have a number of very indifferent milkers. The
same thing might, however, probably be said of any herd, certainly of the Shorthorns But
if you want dairy cows, and select the right stock, you will not have much to complain of.
'' I have at present seventeen Polled Angus milch cows in my dairy. The greater number
of these give from twelve to fourteen, and sometimes sixteen Scotch pints for a considSe
time after calving. The milk is adniitted to be much richer than that of either the Sh(?rthorn
or Ayrshire. As regards the length of time for which they will continue to trive milk mv
cow Belle of Airlie (1959) (dam of Belus, 749) as pure a Pcfued aniS as Siy L the He"d
Book, used to be milked all the year round. Last year when I was from home thev left off
milking her about a month before she calved, and she died of milk-fever, induced! as f believe
by the circumstance that she had not been relieved of her superabundant milk "«"«^e'
GENERAL FARMINO-THE AYESHIBES.
215
The cow, M188 McPherson (1252). of the Erica tribe, which I purchased recently of Mr.
Adamson, IS now giving six Scotch pints per .lay, more than nine and a-half months after
calving. Ihe dairy cows referred to were selected by me with a view to their milking ciuali-
ties, and whenever I found the produce turn .,ut bad milkers, I drafted and fed them for the
butcher, except in a few instances when from their shapes and blood I thought them likely
to produce a valuable tribe of cattle." ut.iu uucm uKoiy
It would be very satisfactory to know that a breed so valuable in those respects
which most nearly affect the Canadian farmer's interest, was finding some encour-
agement in this Province, and that men with the spirit and enterprise that have
characterized the breeders of Durhams, Herefords, Devons and Galloways, had
been found to afl^ord a fair and full opportunity for a trial of the Polled Angus.
THE AYRSHIRES.
AYBSHIKE BULL.
Next to the Durham, the Ayrshire blood is the most numerously represented
am()ng the farm cattle of Ontario. The cheese industry sprang into existence iust
as the termination of the Reciprocity Treaty gave a blow to the trade in cattle with
t le United tJtates, and milk being thus the first consideration, meat was left for
the time rather in the background, for, granting the excellent character of the
Aryshires as milkers, no one pretends to say that, except in a few rare and excep-
tional cases, they will make any show as beefers. The question that presents itself
IS, whether their quality in the former case is so remarkable as to counterbalance their
sliort-comings 111 respect of the latter requirement. And here it may be remarked
that, whatever the original and inherent point of excellence in any breed, it is by the
skill with which a particular quality has been cultivated and encouraged by careful
selection and judicious breeding, that quality is developed to its full extent and
capacity. So, on the other hand, even if no single extraordinary merit be inherent
in the breed generally, the observation and sh^-ewdness of the skilful breeder will
otten discover it in individual animals, and by selection, bring out and establish a
strain or family that will permanently retain the characteristic which has first
attracted attent^^-n. It is clear there are milking families among the Durhams, and,
had they evpr been sought for, beefing families might have been found among the
216
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
■ H 4'
.1)
1(1 '
Ayrshires. It is none the less a fact, however, that the Ayrshires have been bred
almost exclusively for milk, and where an Ayrshire bull has been used in this
country it has been with an eye to the dairying, not to the feeding and beefinK
branch of the farmer s operations. *
In his evidence taken by the Commissioners, respecting the Ayrshires, Mr
Jardine, of baltHeet, one of the leading breeders of Ayrshire cattle, said, " We
claim that the Ayrshires excel every other breed of cattle in the quantity of the
milk they give, and that their milk contains mora caseine for cheese makinc He
goes on to say : —
" I have crossed them with the native and Shorthorn cattle. In crossinR an Ayrshire bull
ami a thoroughbred Shorthorn cow we get a fine, large framed animal, and a good, deep
milker-what I would consider a good animal for all purposes. We consider that this cross is
an iinprovement on the Ayrshires for the shambles, and an improvement on the Shorthorn for
milking qualities. We have been crossing Ayrshires and Shorthorns in that way for the last
hve or SIX years, and our experience has been very profitable. Several breeders of Shorthorns
in our neighbourhood cross their cows with our Ayrshire bull."
In regard to the yield of milk, Mr. Jardine says that he considers 2i gallons a
day (ten quarts), the year round, a good average; that individual animals will give
three or four gallons, and that one cow gave five gallons for eight or nine months
That was, however, a very exceptional instance. As to the richness of the milk
Mr. Jardine says:- "The richness I have not tested much." It would have been
satisfactory if a gentleman so largely interested in the breeding of Ayrshires could
have supplied some accurate information on this very important quality in a dairy
cow. Grade steers, Ayrshire and Shorthorn crosses, will, he says, reach a weight of
from 1,200 to 1,500 lbs. , when three or four years old. He says further :—
. T J," P,"'"i' of hardiness I think the Ayrshire is equal to the Shorthorn. .In point of feed-
ing I thuik It willlive where the Shorthorn would starve; that is my experience of both
breeds. The Shorthorn is the mort dainty feeder, but it has more capacity than the Ayrshire
and T don t know but that, under the same circumstances, it would improve faster. Consider-
ing indk and beef together I would recommend ordinary farmers, for general purposes, to
substitute Ayrshires f.)r Shorthorns. I think our native cattle, improved by Shorthorns
would perhaps be better for niilk and beef combined than they would if improved by the
Ayrshires, especially for beef. I am aware that some families of Shorthorns give good quan-
tities of milk, and there are some families of Ayrshires that give less milk than others We
do not. as a rule, raise much stock from the poor milkers. We have never had any very poor
If the matter stopped here it would be rather difficult to appreciate the value
of Mr. Jardine s recommendation to the farmers of Ontario to use Ayrshires rather
than Shorthorns for improving the native stock. For, first, he has said already
that to produce a beefing animal he would call in the Shorthorns to cross the Ayr-
shire. And ho will not assert that the Ayrshire can do for native cattle what it
cannot do for itself. So we should not go to the Ayrshire to get grade beefers
Secondly, he admits there are Shorthorns that make good milkers, and if a good
milking strain exists in common with a good beefing strain, then the animal that
would transmit these two qualities would surely be better than one that could only
transmit one of them. Lastly, as Mr, Jardine is reticent with regard to the butter-
yielding quality of the Ayrshire milk, is is impossible on his evidence to say the
Ayrshire would be the best improver of native stock in point of milk quality as well
as quantity.
Mr. James Lawrie, of Malvern, is another well-known breeder of Ayrshires
His evidence does not materially strengthen Mr. Jardine's. Mr. Lawrie went into
Ayrshires because the outlay required is less for a herd of Ayrshires than for a
herd of Durhams. He says:—" I kept Durhams at one time, but they were very
high priced, and if one died the loss was very great." He adds to this :— " I went
into the keeping of Ayrshires, because they were easier to keep, and sold well "
But he says further on : —
"I chiefly esteein the Ayrshires for their milking qualities. I would not recommend
them as superior to others for beef. I certainly think the Durhams are ahead of all others
i. Vu"' I " '• "u i'/TTiT"-' I vtAlC",. "'■"'. "' ^ "^^'^ '^'^ Several young cows, ana have
got them to weigh 1,4^0 lbs. to 1,500 lbs. at three years old. I don't think there is much
GENERAL FAUMINQ—THE AYRSHIBEa.
217
Mr. Lawrie makes butter to the extent of 50 lbs. a week on the average, all the
year round, but he, too, is silent as to the yield of butter from the Ayrshire's iilk
except in one instance, where he says :— y^^mro a raiix,
;,.,* T ^ ^^^^'^ "°* ^^'^^ ^^^ proportion of milk necesBary to produce a certain quantity of buttnr •
but I sold a cow once to a man in the States, who wrote back to me that thrc. w hL Sn
eeventeen pounds o butter a week. He bought her and took herTway LniVtlTe mm.K
i ; JhT"°* *'u y"" the quantity of milk per head that they give each day ; but when h,
good condition, each cow will fill a patent pail, morning and evening. That, I 8uppo«e would
be twenty.four quarts per flay, but that does not last all the year round!" 8»PP0««. would
The yield of milk mentioned would, if distributed over the year, probablv be
nearly the same as Mr. Jardine's And if the purchaser of the cow mentioned by
Mr. Lawne kept strictly within the facts, it would still be hardly safe to predicate
a twelve months' yield from a whole herd on that one animal's performance^
Another breeder of Ayrshirea is Mr. Yuill, of Almonte. He pays special atten
tiTbl^^'"^' 7r'r'"r° ^'•""tJ.'^OO to'l,500 lbs of butter^aJuSy be de^
tiie butter required for family use. His testimony is very strongly in favour of the
Ayrshires for dairy purposes. He says :— icivour oi ine
»,.. "u ''®Yo*e my attention largely to thoroughbred stock of the Ayrshire breed I hav«
to aU other?^ fAf ^7 t\-ve years. I have bred no others. For dafry cattle Iprefer them
KhIm'tLn'tVe' DuSn." '"" '"'' ''""^ '' """^ '"^ ^^^^' '' -«*« »«- - Proportion t"o
ThAv fL^f|."^J"*° °*"^'', ^^f^'""^ **',' market, I would prefer the Galloways or Polled Anirus
1 hey are thriftier animals for our bare pastures in summer, and hardier in winter K t1^«v
have to look for their feed themselves they will do best, but or feeding alto3er in sta Is I
would consider nothing bttter than the Durham. I used a Gallowav bull one Rummer i,,f
was persuaded he would not suit, and so sold him. Stock got byWm were poor daTrv cattle
w:Sl=S^.! They^S;™iyrr ^y-^^-'-' ^- /boutthirty,Tw'll}Tsr&
one-l'hiS'^'^&f^t i!^ is^r; ^^^:^'£et^'^''' --^-^ ^« ^«"- ^- -^^^ ^y
«r.'!^-SfP'V^°'^^'''''''iV' y^^" "^^ *=°'"^ *o examine the evidence of farmers who
u8Pf?,?lf!fr^'? f Ayrshires nor engaged exclusively in dairying that the most
5i i°X°™**'"" ^°'' P*''''""^ carrying on mixed farming will be found.
Mr. Miller says on this point :—
TtJhlr^^r *'•*'* ^^"^ ^"m? T^^'I^ Ayrshires, but I have known some of the best families of
t^^omHn« t^i7 "°''' Ti^ ^^f "?f7 ^°^^^- I *^i°k it is best, in breeding cattle, to endeavour
mil wi!, *'^? X^^'u^' "f "^^^^ ''"^ ^««^- I have known grade cattle to brverv good
SllkLgTurposes?" '' "™ ''""' """"^ ^"°"'^'"" ^^"^« ^'' j"^* ^' ^^°^ ^« '^' A^rsK for
Mr. Benson says : —
l,n(.v,'7 ^^^^ ^^lu '^'^ti"°t herds of .."rshires and Shorthorns, and I have crossed the bulls of
hPttei !v«' T *h^r'""'"" '*"'''' ^"^' I ""^^ *h« °^"«« from the Shorthorn very mud the
haS ZTtZT^^'"'^ '/"""U"'''- • • • I lia^e ha.l a great many cows passing through my
thlt lv?w! r""' ^'•''Jl^r'-mmon cow to a Shorthorn bull, unless it was an extra cow"n
AyrsE^ I neV Cnd"*';!". *^' "'"^"^ *^^ native cows, some with Shorthorn, and .ome wi h
Avrsnires. 1 ne\ i- foun th^- cross from the Ayrshire to mi k better than the cro-s from tht
fnS whinTlr^^f*^" Shorthorn cross you have the additional advantage o? hav ng a^arge
an.mal which, apart from its milking properties, you can fatten for beef. The milkinf oualitv
fr.^ a'' V'^^t .f^^'^'.'^'J- I h'^^e sometimes expected good results f rom I reeS cowl
hZr Vi'^'ri""^.'''"^^^^^^^ ""' ^""^ my expectations rellized. T^inrmeat and mUk
hhl '^'oL*^'-f^M '/^^""■''''•■{' "'■"^^ •« ^^^ best. The milk coining from tht Shorthorn" I
oSl '""'^^^"'tf 1« f "»• general purposes than the milk from the Ayrshire. The AvrshiJels a
Sth qTaliw'"''' "' '^' *^''''^ " ^"' '^""''•' '^"^ ^ '^'^^ '^' 'Shorthorn combines a little
.hi^l Matheson of Perth having explained that he had first purchased an Ayr-
shire buU and replaced it with a Durham, says :— ^
_ "The reason I used an Ayrshire bull was that T wanteH <^" "^t ■« "nod btjk^o anST-,,.! (
i^^^^T^'-'' 'i"* ^T l'^"\""' '''■'' *^ ^"•'"^1« produced wer'e" yVry^sm^aTlfafd I though , the
milk was d^eficient. I thought some of my good common cows were better' for dai^ purp^e^
218
ONTARIO AORIOULTURAL COMMISSION.
than the Aynhires ; but I wanted to get an animal that would be good for dairy purpoRct,
and that could also be fattened for beef, if anything occurred to destroy the milk propertiei
of the cow. The Shorthorn cross has turned out very well, and I am only sorry that I «iid not
begin in the first place with the Shorthorn. . . . Four years ago there were only foui
pure-bred bulls ic our district ; they were all Ayrshires, but they have all been replaced with
Durhams."
In the Township of Qosfield (Essex) the experience related is a little different
from Mr. Matheson's, for Mr. McCain says : —
"The Shorthorn is a good deal raised in our township, but the people are beginning to
think that they can improve them by getting other breeds, and they are now inclined to the
Ayrshire. We do not raise cattle for beef to any extent ; I don't know whether the cross would
improve the calves, but that does not make much odds, as we calculate upon getting $1 per
week, on the average, for the calves. The Durhams are very tender and require a great (leal
of care, and if they don't get this care they don't amount to nnich. The Ayrshires are very
hardy. We are crossing the grade Durham with the Ayrshin but we have not had any ex-
perience of the result yet. Last year I raised a bull calf from a cow which was half Durham,
and a thoroughbred Ayrshire bull, and it was the best I ever raised. I am going to ui. . it for
breeding purposes. The Ayrshires are a hardier breed than the Durhams, in the way we raise
our cattle."
In his district, it will be noticed, Mr. McCain says they do not raise cattle for
beef to any extent, and probably look most to milking qualities. The concluding
remark, too, suggests that hardiness in that section is a virtue not without its special
value.
Mr. Robert Macfarlane, resident not far from Mr. Yuill, in Lanark, gives
evidence directly the reverse in its nature to Mr. McCain's. He says (and as a
dairyman and large milk vendor, his testimony is valuable) : —
" I keep an average of twelve cows in milk, and about twenty Jiead of cattle altogether.
They are improved stock. Originally the Ayrshire was used to improve them, and more recently
the Durham. The Ayrshires were too small. I count to get an average of eight quarts a day for
ten months from each cow. We sell the milk chiefly and make butter of the rest. I reckon
to make $60 annually per cow, and could do more if we could sell all the milk. . . . We
consider the Durham cross equally as good for milk as the Ayrshires, and get the benefit in
the carcass also."
Professor Brown, who will not be suspected of prejudice in favour of common
stock as against well-bred animals of any breed, refers to the Ayrshire as follows : —
' ' With regard to cattle for milking purposes, looking to the experience I have had during
the last ten years, I would say, that, if I were to select an animal for its milking properties
alone, I would have no hesitation in making choice among the better animals of what are
called Canadian cows, as against any Ayrshire or Jersey I have ever seen, for our Province.
But, if I were looking for another line of profit along with milking properties, I would have no
hesitation whatever in choosing a Shorthorn grade.
" It is very difficult indeed to say positively what the Canadian cow is. I presume it ia
something that is not native, but has been brought to this country from the United States,
probably tifty or sixty years ago and later, and has become mixed with Shorthorn blood, and
then wandering in the bush, they largely lost their beef properties, but still retained their
milking properties, which are not so much impaired by in-breeding. So that I do not know
what to call the Canadian cow exactly, though I fancy it is one-fifth or one-sixth Shorthorn,
with a spark of Devon and Ayrshire here and there.
" When I speak of the native cow's milking properties, I do not refer to quantity alone,
but also to quality. There is no doubt that the Ayrshire is first with regard to quantity,
although she will not endure the same pasture as the Canadian cow ; but looking at all sides
of the question, I am convinced from my own experience that a proper choice of the Canadian
cow is ahead of the Ayrshire for our Province."
Referring to the evidence specially relating to the dairying interest in its several
branches, it is a noticeable fact that only one witness directly recommends the use
of the Ayrshire, although several do advise recourse being had to the Durham. One
or two witnesses, however, allude to the general improvement of their dairy cows
by the mixture of Ayrslil^e or Durham blood. Mr. Inglis, on the other hand, who
speaks from an intimate knowledge of the butter trade, says : —
"The Ayrshire bull would be good ; but I believe the Shorthorn would be the best. By
selecting the best females, and killing off the others, I believe 've could in a short time obtain
a good grade for milking, and also work a permanent improvement in ail our stock. 1 believe
t 1
;tle different
OEkERAL FARMING-THE AYRSHIRES. 219
butter miw™ * *'"°*^ Shorthorn grade would be wktiBfactory both In quality and quantity for
Mr. Macpherson, of Lancaster (Glengarry), looks at the matter from a cheese
manufacturer s point of view. Ho says : —
"The Durham bull, however, Ih coiniuK iuto more general use. There have been Ayrshires
for a few years back, but latterly the favourite breed Ih the Durham. It Ih now quite common
for our farmerH to raise their best heifer calves to supply the waste of their herds."
But Mr. Ballantyne, who speaks from very extended observation amonj/ the
western dairymen, says : —
"I a^ree on the whole with what has been said as to the best kind of cows for dairy pur-
i"™r.Vi 1*' P'""^*'"" ^''1 •">«\e'- the purpose, but so far as my observation goes there are
comparatively few nearly thorouKhbre.l Durha.ns that are good milkers, l have seen good
Htock raised by crossinK grade cows with Ayrshire bulls. I once bought two Ayrshire Culls
for that purpose, and they produce.l the finest milkers I have deen. The grades in that case
were crosses between a Durham and the native cows. It is possible that the original native
cows are Ayrshire to some extent. They partake of the Ayrshire character to some extent,
milkers " ^ ^^ " *^™'"' "^tween our native cows and Ayrshire bulls would be the best
Mr. Francis Malcolm, again, who is a dairy farmer on a pretty large scale, gives
his reasons very emphatically for preferring the Durham. He says :— -
" What is wanted, is a short-legged, straight, smooth, heavy bodied cow, and also a good
f u } do not say that cows of another stamp may not be just as good for milk, and per-
haps better, but there is a reason why I would prefer and» recommend this kind of cattle.
Almost every vear some have to be weeded from the herd on account of some defect, or it
may be desired, to some extent, to breed and raise beef cattle for the English market In
either case with such cattle, feeding may be done with a prospect of profit. Another reason
Why I prefer the Durham is, because the general farmer is under the necessity of makinir the
caramon cattle of the country the basis to work upon, and I think it is generally conceded
that no breed surpasses the Durham in its aliility to improve the stock. Among those common
cattle are found the best of milkers, and by crossing such with a thoroughbred Durham bull.
alHo selected from a good milking family, a dairy cow may be obtained of the stamp above
mentioned. If not at the first crossing the process should be continued.
,, p Another reason for preferring the Durham is, because it is the most widely spread in
the Province, and therefore the most easily obtained. It is also the opinion of many practical
dairymen in the United States that no breed surpasses the grade Durham for milk. In re-
gard to their beefing qualities I might mention that, last spring, I sold two that had been
milked for a number of years for $128, or 5 cents per pound live weight."
To those who may from their well-established milking qualities be disposed to
adopt the Ayrshires, a word of caution on one point from Mr. Jardine may be
useful. He says : —
" The milk fever gives us a great deal of trouble. In any time we have not lost a beast
from any other cause, except one bull. The fever has always come on after calving, with one
exception ; that was a cow which took sick a few hours before she calved, and showed symp-
toms of milk fever. The disease is considered to be incurable. We have one cow which lost
the use of one leg from the fever, but she is still breeding ; we had another that recdvered for
a time, but went off on the third day. There are two kinds of milk fever. One is a sort of
inHammation of the womb— a parturition fever ; another is inflammation owing to the rapid
change from blood to milk. I have gone so far as to give them medicine before calving, and
they still had the milk fever. Any that we have lost we have milked before calving. I
think a dose of stimulants after calving is a good thing. None but good milkers take milk
The disease is no doubt induced by the constitutional change that takes place at
the period mentioned. It may probably be more amenable to preventive treatment
than to curative remedies. And however annoying now and then to lose a very
good cow, it is something to know "none but good milkers take milk fever."
POINTS IN AN AYaSHIRE.
To purchasers of Ayrshires, too, a description of the " points " of the animal as
given by so good a judge, cannot fail to be interesting. Mr. Jardine says :—
th t' ^\ ^^^^^^ *" Ayrshire cow, I judge of it by beginning at the head and going back to
"I look for a fine muzzle, a very prominent eye, wide between the eyes, a long slender
horn, a shm neck, a slim, flat shoulder, a good wide chest, but not deep, narrow shoulders, an
increasing width backwards, a full flank, wide across the lions and hips, a square, roomy
I't!
220
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
vcRHel, with the tents net well apart, and a teat to each (|iiartiT of the vennel, and a »inall fine
tail, tapering down to tliti point. I place a Kood deal of imixutunce on the CHUtcheon, which
ought to be wide and run up to the ))elviH.
" r do not think the colour of the Hkin has any effect on the (piantity of milk, but for
richneHM we look for a deep yellow skin. We havp two or three cow» which are very marked
In that way, and conHider their milk is -i little richer in quality than that of othern.
" I never like a Hhort tail ; I think it in an indication of coarseneHS. I cannot nay that
there Ih anythiuK in the ooloiir of the hair of the different breeds.
" We have our fancv colours. [ do not liko a liKht colour ; I do not think liKht coloured
animaU do well in this country, as I think a lijfht C(dour indicates delicacy, and K^eatir
liability to vermin. I liko dark-coloured Ayrsliires, witii dark noses, whicli 1 think are
hardier. The liKhtor coloureu animals do not seem to stand the heat of the summer or the
cold of winter so well as dark (mes.
" I do not think a lonR face is necessary to a K""<1 udlkor, although we find gome very
good milkers with long faces from the eye to the muzzle.
"I do not liko a crumpled horn ; we think it is a defect to the eye, and that it la not bo
tine a point in the Ayrshire as a long, slender horn.
"The less loose skin there is on the iiriskot the better; I do not like any coarseness or any
extra skin there at all, although this perhaps may be a fancy. But I think it indicates that
the animal is flabliy and weak in its constitution.
Mr Lawrie, on tho same suhjeci;, says : —
"I have been at several Ayrshire shows. I found that the ideas in choosing Ayrshjres
had greatly changed when [ last went home. When I was y( unger, we selected an Ayrshire
with a tine long muzzle and a long horn ; but I found wlieii I went back that they wanted a
Rhorter face and a shorter horn,, which they said indicated a stronger constitution. They alno
wanted an animal well wedged in the flesh and getting wider backwards, with the hag well up
and the milk veins shown very prominently. They have the fashion of saying that when the \ne
gets low it indicates that the cow has lont her grip. I think an Ayrshire ought to show a
good escutcheon.^ I like a yellow skin. The favourite colour in Scotland is mottled red and
■/hite ; but I don't think there is anything in the colour more than that it shows breeding from
good stock. / do nut agree loith Mr. Jardine in faiouriug black n<mn. I detest them, and they
would not be tolerated in my part of the country. I have not one black nose in my whole herd."
The Commissioners might be suspected of a pun if they alluded to the great
nose controversy as the point of disagreement between Messrs. Jardine and Lawrie.
They do not feel called upon to pronounce judgment in a matter so momentous.
And as many a wrangle as to tlie value of colour in a horse, has been concluded by
the sententious observation, that a good horse cannot be a bad colour, so t! -y will
terminate the reference to this difficult question by remarking that a good Ayrshire
cow cannot have a bad nose.
THK JKRSEYS.
JERSEY BULL.
nd n Rinull fln«
liutcheon, which
f milk, but for
re very iimrkud
iherH.
cannot Hay that
: light coloured
cy, and K^eatir
icn I think are
I Hummer or the
find some very
>at it is not so
laraeneHH or any
i indicates that
isinpr AyrRhires
ed an AyrHhire
they wanted a
on. They hIho
he hag well up,
at when the iiuff
)Uglit to nh(iw a
uottled red and
1 breeding from
; them, and they
whole herd.''
to the great
9 and Lawrie.
) momentous,
concluded by
•, 80 t! -y will
[ood Ayrshire
UENKUAL FAHMimi—TllE JEHHEYH AND HOLSTKINH. 221
Mr. Clarko, of Brampton, was the imly witness examined who ruprecented the
Jersey breed of cattle. Mr. Clarke does not pretend that the Jersey is of special
value for anything but yielding a liberal supply (tf milk, capable of producing rich
butter. From six cows he has, ho HayH, without extraordinary feeding, got 1,H(X)
lliH. of superior butter in a year. Ho does not claim that his bulls are particularly
impressive or prepcjtent, for he says : —
"The JerseyH in Homo caHPH rapidly convey their milking propertleB to the common
ainmalM of the country— not in all oases ; some of the bulU leave their impreHu much more
timii otherH."
He has crossed them with the Durham with fair results, and says : —
"The remdt of croMHing a JerHoy bull on a Shorthorn cow waH, that I got good mllkors of
afairHJze. The milk wan very rich; the ctohh Heemed to partake of the JerHoy with regard
t|i itH milking (lualiticH, and Heeuiud to have more of the Durham Imild aliotit it. In that cane
the nuilo did not imprcHH himnelf no much on tho niako of the animal aH on itn milk."
For family use, or where the sole object is to command a high price for very
clioice butter, tho Jerseys are a useful breed of very docile and manageable little
aiiiuuils, but to the ordinary farmer they are, and are likely to remain, practically
unknown.
THE HOL.STKIN.S.
Although it is quite possible that traces of Holatoin blood are to be found here
and there among the bovine descendants of some old Dutch importations, the
Holstein cattle are not, bo far as any information before tho Commissioners goes,
represented by a single beast in Ontario to-day. This is the more singular, because
in the United States they have l)een bred for several years as well as imported
largely from Holland. The Holsteins were alluded to incidentally by one or two
witnesses. Mr. Ballantyne, in the course of his evidence, said:—
"My attention has lately been called to the Holstein cattle, through a gentleman who
owns a herd of tliat breed in Now Jersey ; they are bred and kept chieHy in Holland, where
the jjreatest attention is paid to the development of the cow'h milk-producing (pialities, as the
small farm.s would not permit the keejjing of inferior cows. The cowh I refer to were owned
by a nephew of Gov. Seymour, of New York.
"One of them yielded, after her first calf, 8,!)00 Uw. of milk during tho sciihou— of probably
Di)t more than ;J00 days. These cows were shown at the International Dairy Fair at New
York last December. The other cow, for twelve days, gave ILS^ lbs. i)er day— or for the season
^u'*'?r '^"'" • ^ ^*^® "" doubt, from what I have read and heard, that we have no cow equal to
the Holstein £(«• dairy purposes.
"They are a distinct breed with marked characteristics, spotted black and white. They
have a larger frame than the Ayrshires, and are not so handsome as the Durhams, but are of
fair size. They are horned cattle. The owner imported these cows himself. He was in
Holland on a trip, and he tt)ld me that he tock great precautions in selecting them, so that
probably they were extra good animals. He mentioned the price he paid, but I forget it. It
was not excessive, however."
The information thus obtained was sufficiently interesting to induce further
inquiry, and a correspondence was opened with some of the breeders of Holsteins
in the United States. These gentlemen, with great readiness, responded and fur-
nished a very considerable amount of documentary evidence. The several excellent
illustrations of Holsteins have also been obtained from the same sources. The
Holsteins are introduced by a communication from Mr. Wing B. Smith, of Onon-
daga Co., N.Y., to the Rural New Yorker, as follows: —
"Grazing upon the meadows of Holland can be seen great numbers of cattle, large, finely
formed, wonderfully symmetrical, fully developed, uniform in colour and general appearance,
with a remarkable development of the milk-producing organs, whose yield at the pail fully
realizes the promises of their development.
" Some of tha choicest of these animals have been imported into this country, and they,
with their descendants, constitute the Holstein breed of cattle of the United States. It must
be borne in mind, therefore, that the Holsteins are not an experiment either in Holland or in
this country, having been known here since 1862. No other breed known to us can so directly
trace their lineage back for so many centuries. . . .
"Holsteins have now been introduced into many of our States, and without reference to
Climate, soil or location, they thrive as well and furnish equal records of milk in Virginia,
MasBachusetts, Vermont, New York, Illinois or California. Be it on the highlands or low-
er-
'4
l< '
IS' •:
222
ONTARIO AOJtilCULTURAL COMMISSION.
• h I
^l^l'J^ } f ?""•!" "^ ^a"n. "?der all circumstances, with all kinds of food and diver«
manners of supplying it-under all these conditions they still maintain that same superiorftv
aa milkers ancf beef animals with which they have been &ere accredited. They a" reSabK
^h^oZ^^Z'^.r ''^^'"'"^ly little given to .Jisease ; and, ntanding beside the popiSIr^reK
wMlfT fl' *^^^ *'^ H lef fSected by the extremes of our variable climate than other/
while they bear exposure far better than most other breeds." omers,
V T^o.T™® X ^ Governor Seymour is one universally known and respected in New
York State. In answer to a letter addressed to that gentleman on behalf of the
Uommisioners, the following reply was received :—
" ^rf J?*""- ^fy™.?"r requests me, in reply to your letter of inquiry, dated the 24th instant
to aav that he is too ill to write except by the hand of another. He says the Holstein cattk
are thought well of by our farmers. They grow to a large size, and are free milkers! and whe
SnXn^ffl""* ^Vf*" "-A '^^ i '"""^ "^^"^ ^'^^^'' y«* it i« "«h enough for cheese ' They a e
gen«e cattle and best adapted to smooth and rich pasture, and make good beef. Mr. Gerrit
|. Miller and Mr. Dudley Miller of Peterboro', in Madison County, have imported and kent
first-class specimens of this breed, and so does Mr. James Neilsonf of New BrunS New
Jersey, and there is a fine herd within four miles of Utica. ^JrunswicK, JNew
(Signed)
"John J. Seymour."
Mr Gerrit S Miller of Peterboro', Madison County, N. Y., alluded to in the
above letter, writes as follows : —
" At the request of Mr. Singerly of Philadelphia, I will cheefully give you whatever in
formation you may wish regarding ftolstein cattle. I mail you a co y orHolsteiiTHerd Book
Vol. 3 ; in it you will find a short sketch of the history of the breed, and a few other interest
ing Items. The great advantage the Holstein has over other breeds is in its comuSon of
valuable quahhes. 1st, it is the greatest and most economical milk producer ; 2nd thTrnUk is
better adapted to general use, such as the milkman, family, cheese factory and at th^ same
time makes excellentbutter (some of the smaller breeds will'makeapound of butter from iSs
milk than the Holstein but their milk is not so desirable for other purposes) ; 3rd, thenreo
large size, fatten quickly, and make excellent beef ; 4th, they seem to thrive n hot cold and
damp climates and are possessed of hardy constitutions. I have been breed W these cattle
«Ltk«P^'th^ff^^''' ""^Tv. "/ ??f* importation came from HoUand, and am moVe than ev '
satisfied that they are the best breed for general use.
(Signed)
" Gerrit S. Miller."
It will be observeu „nat the enterprising importers and breeders in the States
have already their Holstein Herd Book, in order that the purity of the breed may
be effectually guaranteed and protected. Mr. Singerly, of the Philadelphia Eecord
—four of whose cattle are represented in the accompanying illustration—writes as
lollows : —
A 't I}?*? il^'^ "^^""l^ two years' trial of the Holsteins. I have some forty, old and younir
and I think they are beyond question the best breed of cattle, for the farmer known fWa
give from 50 to 60 pounds of milk per day, and milk close up L calving I send yZphoto?
Vou will notice one named 'Dairymaid. ' She is due to calve'^in fifteen davs, and is nowWinR
24 pounds of milk a day Heifers, that come in at twenty-four and twenty-six monthl okl
are giving 40 to 4b pounds per day. The records of some half-breds show almost as well.
(Signed) "Wm. Singerly."
o uJ^ ^i?T^* ^]f^ f "."'^^'^ ^"^ i" correspondence on this subject, is that of Messrs.
Smiths & Powell of Syracuse, N. Y. From the milk record of some twenty cows
furnished by this firm, the following are selected :—
" Milk records of thoroughbred Holstein cows of the herd of Smiths & Powell for one
day, and for one to six months, according to time in milk, to date, August 24th •—
" Neilson, 7 years old, 74| lbs. in 1 day ; 2,206,«, lbs. in 1 month ; 9,805^ lbs. in 6
months; 11.744| lbs. in 8^ months. Jannek, 7 years old, 71f lbs. in 1 day; 2,110i
bs. in 1 month ; 9,250 Ibs.m 6 months ; 11,644,^, lbs. in 8J months, ^gis, 6 yeai's old, 82}
lbs. in 1 day ; 2,289-^^ lbs. in 1 month ; 10,D()4,*j lbs. in 6 months j 14,402 lbs in 9
months. Aggie 6 years old, 84| lbs. in 1 day ; 2,362' lbs. in 1 month ; 9,563,V lbs,
fii°,u°* • ' 13,540i lbs. m 8 months. P. of Beemster, 4 years old, 55i lbs. in 1 day •
1,537 lbs. in 1 month ; 6,799i lbs. in 5 months: 10.113+4 lbs. in 8 mnnth« aar.r.hr.\
yeajs old, 64 lbs. in 1 day; 1,766tV lbs. in 1 month ; 6,562 j" lbs. in 4 months ; soR^'Lady
™nitL JflQ^/fif"°^o' ^^'1^^'- i? ^ ^^^A ^'^^*" ^^'- ^° 1 ™°°tl» ; 7,056f lbs. in 6
months ; 9,891| lbs. m 9 months. Matron, 2 years old, 44J lbs. in 1 day ; 1,243/, lbs. in
GENERAL FARMING— THE HOLSTEINS.
223
food and divers
same superiority
Y are remarkably
)opular breeds of
late than others,
pected in New
behalf of the
the 24th instant,
5 Holstein cattle
ilkera, and while
leese. They are
3ef. Mr. Gerrit
ported and kept
Brunswick, New
Seymour."
uded to in the
'ou whatever in.
itein Herd Book
V other interest-
i combination of
2nd, the milk is
md at the same
butter from less
3rd, they are of
n hot, cold, and
ing these cattle
more than ever
$. Miller."
in the States
;he breed may
lelphia Record
^on — writes as
old and young,
known. Cows
snd you photos,
id is now giving
ix months okl,
st as well.
GKRLY."
lat of Messrs.
5 twenty cows
'owell, for one
!4th :—
tOSiV lbs. in 6
1 day; 2,110i
» years old, 82|
402 lbs. in !)
; 9,663,V lbs.
lbs. in 1 day ;
IS SonrvVin Q
•=• — i-r— -I ■'
3 ; sold. Lady
056| lbs. in 6
L,243,V li>8. in
H
H
m
O
•«a4 • ONTARIO AGBICULTUBAL COMMISSION.
mad, . t.o.je.r old te3 o/imK it. In 1 jrw."""- *""■ "' ^^" ^ ""
Mes,rB. Smith, and Powell, after giving the foregoing Hgurea go on to eav
0,. h„d now n„n,brr„?s^s', i^Yrrxtar;L':w°'„;3riS.f°"'''"''
fe^'^^of'^k^SjLfrllye^^^^^^ ?— ^ed that the butter and
the quality of butter given R^nSt.tnl breeder or dairyman, another vital point is
14,312 pounds of mll^ L a year aSu^al Iv;^«°- ^ *''*" "'"''" ^'^tements. Maid of Twfskgave
'°"'4n^o»ilLn^'''^^'r fiP°^^^^^^^^ ''* pounds of milk ra^Tl
pound?r4l^nSVb7ttTrVom'^^ea"Zf%t^ T\ Texelaar nroduced 17
per week and her daughter 14 pound^ of butteTinTweef ' ^''''^^^' ''^ Producel^l2| pounds
creamtW^^^^^^ the
with the following result : 3i pounds of bnH-pr f!. re ^ ^^'"^" ''i.^, common 'dasher' churn,
19 3-7 pounds of 'milk ; buttlrTafwe^he 1 Sore saftW '"^- ^.^ ^ ^''^P^ '^ Gutter to
the same. From the daily milkings of Eva 3 nm,nd« ff i .f ""'^^ *'" '"^^^^y ^^^^ed from
To prove the importance o^ Hollancf as a Zr't ?^ f f 1'""®'' ""'"'^ "'^^^ ^oi" long Periods,
of that country exports nearly twO 000 noun^^^^^^ ^*^* "I? state that one small province
Europe and the British Isles ZlK 7pvn«vf """"n ^'i".'!? i^ *° *be markets of continental
000.000 pounds of cheese.tTichS'VmT?^ Gutter and 6^
that, while the enormous yeMoiSS is oncedei'' T'-"" '^' ^'7^T^ '^^^'"^'^^
so prominently claimed W wttT^t? ^^S^^^^^l^^!^ ^
my Po^K?X?i^rt»:^^^^^^^ *^e '^eef animals, and wLd sustain
liull, 4th Highland Chief „ „„„ „
Unde Tom, at 26 months.;..:: H22 ^^f'
Chieftain, 21 months . . J'^H^
" Calf, Pedro, smonths :;:;:::::••; Mf^ ::
Cow, Virginia, 6 years . o50 "
:: Lady Taxaif 6 years:;;;.-;:::; ';;;;::;;;:::: • ■; ffi ::
. Isis, 4years I>'o0
Heifer, Mabel, 3 years 10 months: :!';:'; H^^ ;'
" Meika, 21 months 1'400 "
Calf, Anna, 11 months.... l.<^10 "
" Sappho, loi months ..:;;:::: 770 "
not ^^tTulZ\ltl£ 5 ^K^''K'3^ter^^?''i" «^- «esh,^d had they
extend this list indefinitely, but space does no^t permit " ^'^"^ "''^ "^""'^ '^''''- ^ "^""'^
reJiZT:{^Zt''^coZ'eS^L^^^^^^ are also referred to, and satisfactory
The Commissioners, hoS ?n the atsL- nf" *^" Holsteins and other breed^
mony and subjecting airsSments to orX^l ^PP"*"*""^ y fortaking oral testi-
submit so much as may iustifv or sLw fb '^^^'^^«/«^'^^ examination, desire only to
proper authoritylTw cSeSnt exn-t«^'"^^^^ ^"'^* ''^"''^ "^"^^ ""'^'''
of Holsteins, and the observations snrbo!;«. importation of one or two herds
satisfactory, 'if either^he OreZYn^^^^^^ "^^4^1? i 7"^^ '^^ '"^^'^''l
tt rtTerSnT"*^^ '''''^-'^' ^^^^^^^^^it^^^^^^ T^^
GENERAL FARMING— GONCLUSIONS.
226
CONCLUSIONS.
The duty of deciding which of the breeds an impartial authority should advise
the Ontario farmer to have recourse to, as a means of improving his stock generally,
does not appear to the Commissioners to be a very difficult one. They desire, how-
ever, to guard against the impression being created, that they would discourage the
cultivation of any one of the several breeds mentioned in the foregoing evidence.
Each one has useful characteristics, and may find its place in the agricultural economy
of the country. Some persons go so far as to suggest that the prizes given at shows
should be discontinued to all but one or, at most two, favoured varieties. The
Commissioners are not prepared to advise such a step. The day may not be distant
when the whole question of prizes will have to be discussed, and, in that case, many
modifications of the present system may have to be adopted. Meantime the Com-
missioners are of opinion that great consideration should be shown to those enter-
prising and spirited persons who, at a very large outlay of capital and with not too
much encouragement, have devoted their attention to the less popular and conse-
quently—in a general sense — less profitable breeds.
The opinion has already been expressed that full information, tested by actual
experience, as to the merits of the Polled Angus and Holstein breeds respectively
would be most desirable.
The evidence obtained as to the qualities of the Polled Angus, more particularly
as beefing cattle, the proofs of the success they have achieved in the prize ring, and
the estimation in which they are held by the British salesman and butcher, give
them the strongest claims to attention by Ontario breeders.
The statements as to the size, weight and early maturing, as well as extra-
ordinary milking qualities said to belong to the Holsteins, commend them also to
closer observation and strict scrutiny.
Coming to breeds more familiar to the farmers of this Province, it is clear to
everyone that, for general use, and for a combination of beefing and milking quali-
ties, the Jerseys are not to be thought of. They must be regarded as useful for
their own particular and specific purpose of yielding a copious supply of very rich
milk, and as suited exclusively to butter dairying purposes, or for private family
use.
The Ayrshires have a far closer relationship to the common cattle or natives
than the Jerseys — possibly than any other breed, although that is an open ((uustion
—and Ayrshire bulls may be found of service in maintaining and perpetuating or
reviving the milking functions where they appear to have fallen oflF, or to be declin-
ing. The Ayrshire^ can be brought to a fair size for market, and — some tendency
to milk fever excepted, owing to the great activity of their milking functions -are a
hardy and thrifty race of cattle. But it is impossible t«^ say that they are the breed
to which the general farmer can look for the means of putting his herd on the most
profitable and economical footing.
The Galloways have the merit of being good beefing cattle if well fed, and of
enduring hard fare if such be their fate. They may also, from the absence of horns,
be a little better adapted for a shipping trade than others. But they take no high
place as milkers, unless it be in isolated instances, and, in the presence of the
Durham and Hereford, it is not possible to say they are the breed on which the
ordinary farmer should place his reliance. There, may, however, be situations,
in so wide a country as Ontario— not to say Canada— where the hardiness of the
Galloway would make it of value.
The Devons as draught cattle, and rich, if not very copious milkers, may suit
those who have special need of animals possessing such qualities ; while, for the
home market they produce meat of a rich an<l excellent quality. But, as a breed to
furnish the grade steer or heifer needed by the Ontario shipper, they will never, it
may safely be predicted, take a high place.
The fact is, that, for the object the Commissioners have in view, as stated at the
outset, namely the several combined requirements of the Ontario farmer, the com-
petition for first place lies between the Durham and Hereford alone. Of either of
H.
!■
296
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
these two noble breeds there are a sufficient number in Ontario to supply the
ordinary demand although, the Durhams being the most r.umerous, the opportunity
tor selection >y buyers is greater, and the services of Darham male animals can be
as a rule, most easily secured. '
nf •f*',': /**^7i"g a given size and weight, in a given time, and at the earliest period
ot Its lite— always assuming its treatment to be liberal and judicious— the Durham
cannot be beaten. The prepotency, too, of the Durham male is universally recoa-
nuzed, and there is enough Durham blood in most of the present farm stock of
J^anada to make assimilation easy, and to secure certain results. By careful selec-
tion, too, of bulls from milking famUies, the dairyman may secure in the Durham
the means of beefing his cows profitably when needful to do so, without diminishing
tne supply of the milk on which he primarily depends for his profits.
Ihe only danger, if there be a danger, in the Durham is, that, by too close
Dreerlmg and, perhaps, pampering, a delicacy of constitution maybe engendered
and disseminated. Such a possibility has been hinted at, and, while it ought not
to tell tor one moment against the use of the Durhams at the present time, it makes
It all important (1) that no opportunity should be lost in giving the Durham stock
m Ontario the benefit of imported blood ; (2) that the intelligence and vigilance of
breeders and veterinary surgeons should be always on the guard against such a
possibility ; {^ij that the knife should be used unsparingly where anything short of
the most vigorous constitution is detected ; and (4) that all legitimate encoura<^e-
ment should be given to a second breed of cattle capable, approximately, of hoh- n<f
Its own against the renowned Shorthorn. f > ^f ,
onJ^fKi""^!^' 1° ^i^"" II Ontario is at present concerned, is, if the evidence be
correct, the Hereford. Strong in its prepotency, all but eqaal in earlj maturity in
the stall, and more than equal in the pasture, to the Durham, with a constitution
m which, so far, no trace of, or tenden >y to, any weakness has been detected, and
with good milking qualities, the Herefc.d may yet prove to be a useful factor ik the
great work of giving to Ontario a class of cattle adapted to the varied demands of
such a country.
1. w " ?^ *n^ agriculturist himself to judge to which of these two breeds he should
IS u'\u^ -"r**"^ '^"''^ °^ improvement, having due regard to all the conditions
under which he is farming, and the precise objects he most desires to attain.
FEEDING.
A volume might easily be written on the subject of feeding stock, and in dis-
cussing the several systems and theories that find favour in the eyes of farmers or
breeders m difierent sections of the country. All that is necessary in this place is
„aJ.'''®f/*'"?u^^flP°'^'^^® ^ *■'''*"'" «f *^« evidence bearing on this point as
gathered from the statements of breeders, graziers, dairymen, and practical farmers
J^rofessor Buckland, in his evidence, mentions that in the course of his earlier visits
to the rural districts of Ontario he was met on one occasion by the question, " What
breed of cattle do you consider best to stand starvation I " The Professor was a
little startled at first, but says he soon found that all the interrogator wanted to
know was, what breed would best endure hard treatment during the long winter
present ^timr""" ^"''^ information ia desired by too many farmera at the
Mr. John Clay, Jr. , speaks very strongly on this point. He says :—
. '' ^ l>elieve my remark about the farmers badly housing and feeding their nattlp in f;,«
SZXir '""'f ^^ .*" !f 'J?^^^ '■" ^^"\^'^- 'T^^'^ builiings are! as"! rule draughty and
cold and the amount of food they give to their cattle is not enough to keep up their fmmes
wEn Cr- ' TJ ^'""^'^^ throughout Canada, although you will iind some of our farmers
who keep their cattle in very good condition. I believe the percentage of farmers in Canada
^h "ITk *^^ P'^P"" ^^^"^'"8 """^ ^°"«^»ff «f their cattle is fully sixty JerceTt! There has
no doubt, been an inaproyement made in that respect, but, in the County of Brant where I
i!f;/"li.^'i!.,J°^i^"i« i^«P*.^° ^ most disgraceful condition. There is L doubt thai in an
irVaU^'Vi^or In ' '"""f'" '"^"'^ ^^' ^h'? practice. W hen he lets his cattle get down so low
Siuy'^Vwe'fuirtTcJSe^^^^^^ '''' '^°°^ ^'^^^^ " ^ ^'''' -«*« ' '"^^ «'«*- -• P-t^"
hi
GENERAL FABMING— FEEDING.
227
ion, '« What
Mr. Clay probably had in his eye some such practices as Mr. Her, of Colchester,
in the County of Essex, describes. He says : —
"Our grade sieera, at three years old, do not weigh more than 1,000 lbs. live weight, that
IB grades of one or two crosses. We generally starve them pretty well for the first year, and
starve them for the next two years, and give them all they can eat for the last few months
that they live. That is the common system in our county. It is not very profitable to raise
cattle when we can only get them to weigh 1,000 lbs. at three years of age. I know that the
demand m England is for steers weighing about 1,400 lbs. at three years old. I don't think
any of oiu" cattle go to England, unless Mr. Walker sends them from his distillery."
A parsimonious habit does not seem altogether confined to Canadians at Iiome.
According to Mr. Hall it occasionally remains with them on the other side of the
Atlantic. He says : —
"I have rnet with a great many Canadians, and I find that some of them 'put it in at the
spigot and let it out at the hung hole.' They are afraid to put their hands in their pockets to
purchase the food which their cattle ought to have. When they come to our side and we
propose to give the cattle some meal, they say, * Don't give them any meal ; a bit of hay will
do ; ' but if we have Canadian cattle in our possession a day or two, and give them meal, it
makes them look pounds better."
Mr. Francis Malcolm has evidently met with some of these pseudo-economists,
for he says : —
"Now those who feed beef cattle know that if they do not give their cattle more than
what will merely supply the requirements of life, they will never make beef, and it is just so
with cows ; it is the extra food over and above what is actually required to keep the machine
m working order, that can be turned into milk. The dairyman that is afraid to put in this
extra for fear he will never see it again, is like the miller that, after being at the expense of
building a mill is afraid to buy wheat to grind in it. As far as theory is concerned, one would
think that if all the profit is derived from the extra food, the more of it the better. But to
judge from the practice of many, it is evident they are unbelievers."
FKKrrNG FOR MARKET.
From the mass of evidence on this point, it may be well now to select a few
items showing how really successful and prosperous persons find it profitable to feed
their cattle, and good feeding is generally found in company with good housing, for
the absence of one or the other will only be to verify the truth of Mr. Hall's homely
proverb about " putting in at the spigot to run out at the bunghole." Mr. Hobson
says, and he only repeats what everybody at this time of day ought to know : —
" I think there should be good buildings for the housiii ; of cattle. In the winter time the
stables should be kept to a certain temperature, because if the stables are too cold it is well
known the cattle would v quire more feed and would not do so well. If cattle are kept warm
and comfortable they thrive better on a given quantity of food, and will sell at a much better
price in the spring."
And this successful and prosperous farmer goes on to say : —
" I am decidedly of opinion that the most profitable way to feed cattle is to keep them in
food flesh from the time they are calved until they are twenty-six or twenty-eight months old.
think it would pay better to sell them than to keep them until they are three years old. I
think peas are quite as good as corn for feeding purposes : of the two I would prefer peas. I
seldom feed meal to steers when they are on grass, except when I want to get them in condi-
tion for the Christmas sales, and then I give them something exceptional. When they are on
grass I would not give them any other feed, and sometimes they won't take meal at all. But
as a general rule there is no difficulty in getting them to eat meal when on pasture."
By this system Mr. Hobson says : —
" You can get a well-bred, well-fed animal at that age (twenty-six to twenty-eight months)
up to l,a00 pounds or a little higher, and buyers are ready to take such cattle at good prices.
When I say good prices, I mean about $5.25 per hundred— that would be for what we call
winter calves— calves bred in February and sold in May two years afterwards."
Mr. Hobson's winter management is described as follows : —
" I do not give the cattle water before feeding them roots. The roots are the first thin«
they get in the iiiomiug, and then we give them some dry feed, and then they are turned out
for water during the day. The length of time they remain out depends somewhat on the state
of the weather.
" I feed the cattle with food in a raw state. If we are likely to be short, I use the cutting
P
I
jii
228
ONTARIO AOBIGULTUBAL COMMISSION.
No one will challenge the experience) of Mr. Miller of Bmiiphim nn «„^k „
point as this. He describes his method as follows :-' *^'°"Sham, on such a
for c'lJtfcd."'^! Lve^^ri^i t c£Ud^S7oSr^I fAiXTtt"" *="^" W^
Mr. Miller adds :—
grow thSuVhe n« ?W '°''^- "^^T*^" tT'^'^.^ ^ «'"'^" ^*'-ni«'- <=*« ^aise his own cattle is to
t}.„?!f ' ^^"""y' ^^0 pursues i system of mixed farming, and raises steers for market
gus describes his system from the first winter of the animal's liffto iS finaldTsp^^^^^^^^
thing ^\hafkinf T^Jhe wiX/t'ime f t1e*S ^'7""^ ''''l ^.^^ T'^'' k^^' «-««- - ^°^-'
into a grass plot f^m thftiCthev^™ wi!npH % ?v,"P' ^"* ^^^"""^ *^^* ^ ^^t them out
about sTxweiks. When theTLe tLTn T Ip^ S/r™ *he new milk, which generally takes
three hours. In the winter t^mrmvrnpfhnilLf^ ™?v.''"* f*''" ^''f "i® ^^^'''^ ^ay for about
ing, a good feed of turn"ps I beS wfth a ]itt e fes7than'«^ n.\*^' ^/'* *^'"? ''^ **^« '"^r""
quant ty as they crow Aftpr th^t^.Zi^ fu }u ^^^^ ^ P^°^' ^^^ SO on mcreas ng the
clover hay fortL CTowint calvP« ZIZ ^^^y.^^^t^ ' I «ave the best and finest quality of
fine and mixed witf chaff anS'n!n».M ^^^"1"^. t^f ^.S^* instead of roots, pea meal, ground
a calf is a vearTld T Hn 'n«?l^ v -^^ ° '^^'"''^ ** °'^.^* *^ey get a feed of clover again After
In the fall oYthat yeartt wiU come t^'^'i^ro^ll^^' ^K?''^''' F''^'^^ ''. ^^"^ ^--^ P'^^^ure
keep it in good groS order for^hew^ntPrTnf '°}^^'*r ^""J ^^^y hardy, so that 'you can
to find what quinthv a calf w^ do ^Jk « I" feeding flax meal, great care must be taken
much. But if tW s^gLrded agiin t vou can keerthl 'o f^^ "" ' ""f ''^""■""^ ^^ ^^^^"g *«"
along. Occasionally 1 find a ca!f that wm not fe f fc fl ^"^'^ ' . t^ood growing condition right
the milk, and then I let it wait nnHl if will Tt ^f a ^^^' ^^^"^ ,™^*^' ^^^° ^^^n i* is put in
to ground oats and .tif- 1 Jtl"°*£i* r.'ll*?'^,^'*- , ??n?«t>'?e_s also they have to be educated
Mr. Drury adds to this by way of further explaining his method •-
them root"°fn?haT and IlUhe chfff ?W ""^ '\ "T'?-^^ t° ^^ed the calves meal, but I feed
ing-and hay twice'a dav In ?t« W^ J*"*u } ^'J^ *^^" ^°°*« ^^^'^ * ^^y-i" the morn-
1,600 pounds a good p^rice ; that woSd be $^55' " ^ '°°"'^'' *"" "''°*' '^ P"""^ ^""^
Mr. James Cochrane, of Kilsyth, County of Grey, says •—
"I feed from seven to ten cattle in winter. I -..se peas for that purpose, and not com. I
GENERAL FARMING—FEEDING FOR MARKET.
229
I, on such a
have had no experience m feeding com. Wo usually get the peas chopped. In feedinK a
Sn!f;^Ti'V*r/ for the last two months. I feed ten to twelve pounds of pea meal a day?
Sn^nin^''^^' "^ iu™'Fu' ^"i^ 5H *^f ^^y. ^^ ^'V «"**• We depenS on the peas for doing tQ
nf f hu t^' !J" * r A^^ "u^®" u ""^ ^"'' ^''/P'"^ "P **^« ^^"^^^ """^ t«i»e of the animal. The results
of this kind of feeding have been aatisfactory.''
Among the persons carrying on mixed farming before the Commissioners, no one
appeared to have reduced the fattening of cattle for the market to a more complete
system than Mr. Peter Rennie, of Fergus. Mr. Rennie buys steers in the fall
breeds nothing on the farm, but selects the best beefing stock from the neighbouring
herds. With good judgment Mr. Rennie will buy only grades, and the nearer to
thoroughbred the better they suit him. He pays about four cents per pound in the
fall, and prefers those which weigh from 1,200 to 1,400 lbs. As to feeding and
general management, Mr. Rennie says : —
ou '' )u® */® ''^I^ particular with respect to the regularity of feeding cattle. They are fed
altogether four times a day. j du
"First at six a.in., on turnips, then with chopped grain, fed in a separate box for the
ailowed'toVest °°"^ '^ wasted, and the feed is never sour. They are then fed with hay, and
"They are all curried carefully every morning. This is a most important matter in
avoiding restlessness and irritation, especially in animals highly fed. They are well bedded
with straw as we want all the manure we can get. At noon they get some hay, and we have
them turned into the yard for water and exercise. j, u «c u*yo
'' Between three and four p.m., they get their turnips again, and more hay. We give the
nay m small quantities in their mangers, so as to have it clean eaten up each time. Thev are
fresh bedded and left till seven p.m when they get their chopped grain or cut feed with a
httle more hay. They are then left for the night."
He adds to this : —
_ "It is an essential part of our system to keep the cattle perfectly quiet, and free from
irritation of any kind. I allow no rough handling or ill usage, and all dogs are excluded from
the farm, m order that the cattle may not be harassed by them."
On this plan and with a farm of 210 acres, Mr. Rennie can fed as many as sixty
head of cattle in one season, buying only ten tons of hay and 300 bushels of peas
over and above his own produce, bringing the cattle up to 300 or 400 lbs. over their
weight 111 the fall, and commanding top prices from shippers ; and, besides making
a profat on the purchase and sale, after charging market rates for all the fodder
consumed he enriches the farm by a copious supply of manure, the secret after all
of what he is able to accomplish. It is by such methods as this the greatest
achievements in stall feeding are accomplished.
Mr. John Geary, of London, who buys and feeds on a plan very similar to Mr
Rennie s, says : —
" The steers I buy for feeding average about 1,100 to 1,200 pounds ; most of them are
three years old coming four. I have fed a few under that age, but not many. I paid last
tall trom .i to .<^ cents for steers, according to quality. In the spring they average, after being
fed, about 1,-170 pounds, and are worth about .5i cents. i <= j s, ucmg
" I f?ed principally for the manure, and if I make the value of the manure as a profit
after paying labour and other expenses, I am perfectly satisfied. I am feeding stock as much
'"^r^"^^ "ly larm as for any profit I make out of the steers.
" The cost of feeding a steer for six months, say from November loth to May 15th, is or
rather has been tome, 23 cents per day." > i "»
It is not pretended that the direct profit on the beast is large, if indeed allowing
for occasional losses, there be any balance to credit of profit as between the buying
and selling price, after charging feed and attendance. But, as both Mr. Rennie
and Mr. Geary point out, there is an enormously enhanced yield of every crop
consumed at home and charged in feed at market rates.
FEEDING THOEGUOHBREDS.
Before noticing what is^said as to the grass and distillery feeding, it maybe
well to quote the evidence of one or two breeders of thoroughbred stock as to their
plan of proceeding, their object being somewhat different from that of feeders for
market.
230
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
II
Mr. Clay, sneaking of the system pursued at Bow Park, says :—
of cVv w''J),'!'5 o^'fuTr'??'' "^^ ^""^^ *'"'' ?^y«^ ^"^'S^^y ™ ^*'n- We have been in the habit
«LCvplv T fK- t^f^^'''''*.*'* ""t^^' *"*^ 1H"°» *•>« '»«* ^ear or so we have been using it
b»2ly^^ '^^ • ,"'' **',?5.^ " a happy medium where, without feeding too much, you can
keen thZ in %T^ '"'"'I'V*'"- Our Gulls we have to treat a little more liberally, in order to
l„!Z „if fl fine condition. I would allow the calves to run loose. I would run heifer^
f fta^ n^'^ n^*"- A""^ are very apt to iniure themselves when they get above a certain ate
nn««iK^„ Lt"°'^'i*'' run loose I woulcT give the calves their grain in separate boxes! H
possible because those that are strong sometimes take advantage of the weaker ones. In the
Sr^oT/ed^LpTrald^bl ttav^" ^""^ " ''"' ^""'"^- '""''• '^^« ^""« ' "^-'^ '' '«
nf thaV"^ Prmcipal root crop we grow at Bow Park is mangolds. This year I have 35 acres
fnlK «L*^p""?"*^ ^^'^ Mangold. It is fair to state that, if turnips would grow success-
i?.llif ^^^ "^t would grow them, but it is not suitable land for turnips, while man-
f n JL^ L ^.r '" g'-^'^t prof usion I think thirty tons of mangolds to the acre is a good crop.
Jr ^?v t*- vZ ''^ '""^^ "^^ P,"^P '^'P ^"J^ "•" ^^^"^ ^'th chopped hay or Inlian corn
or mix in a ittle bran or meal, and give the cattle some every afternoon. We allow the
TheTi« *v ^" 1^ ''l-'* T^'i" -^^'.f P"'P^"^ ^^'"'' '" ""^'^ t° <="*"«« them to ferment a Httle!
benefidal.^' ^ ^^ "^ ^^'^^^ immediately; but otherwise they are very
Mr. Benson, who, in addition to breeding Durhams, also fattens some steers for
market, says : —
"At one time I adopted the soiling system largely; but at present I have plenty of
^hpnU'/?f n ""ly^-^^P* ^t partially. I should be decidedly in Lour of a mixefsystem
The plan I follow is to keep the animals on the pasture, and I grow corn in the fields near the
L'ffnfnWr'jnir^^'lw ^°"'':*'^«*r^^'^'*i«* them eat it there ; but I always feed the
Knro?;:nfbeSn7eXeorn." "° '^"'"^ "' ^^^'^ ^^"'^ ^' ^"^ As soon as th'e pastures
fnr r ^rj"^f ?ri*°i^^ ^^H**; "J *^® animals, I consider the mixed system much the best
for a herd. I think the constitution of an animal is reduced by keeping it in a stable con-
Stan ly The more you can keep breeding animals in a state approaching the state of nature
SiflH* '«^"'- them; give them plenty of air and exercise, and, L soon as the nights
ctrtenfwiStoodvr^^^ ^^ *'^'^ ''^•"^ ^«P' ^ ^^^'^^ -«^« - -'--S
T \.^° "**' ?'^? ?"y .Indian corn to the breeding animals, I only give oats and bran I
or o&meal '°™ ''^ ^^"/"""^^ " ^ ^T °°*>T.^ ^?"«^- ^ «="»ld use cotton cake, or permeal,
or oat meal. . I use flax seed by grinding it up and giving the cattle a poind or so and
I prefer doing that to us ng the cake. I used to feed a pound and a half of flax seed to every
T? jT A.n?*l/ ^""^•'* '*•"" '>' neighbourhood where it was raised at about two cents a poun/
It IS about the same price in England as here, but with me it was cheaper, because tCflax
seed was grown m the neighbourhood. At present it is three cents a pound, and, therefore I
h iffee'd it ?o thfcaW- " '"" " ''"''" *'"° °°^ P°""''"' «^^ «««^- »*'"' I alwa'sTeeJ
Mr. Jardine, the breeder of Ayrshire cattle, already referred to, gives the fol-
lowing as his system of management :—
*i, " ^^ *^u ^"™™®'" *™«' I maintain my herd on grass, and always soil them for from two to
Se iTh^of M.v ''?T''''' ""'^'^'l ""''^ 'I'^y- ^ «"^ 'y' '" *h« f^U ^nd *>"' i* as early as
III S5„^ * I commence with rye ; the next green fodder is neas and oats, which I find
the best of all ; and then corn, which is sown at different times an5 lasts till the fall. I have
tried vetches and lucerne, but they did not do well with me. I certainly prefer soiling to
fw^ft'l^ V ^' *^' rr*'*^ °l?'"'^ P''''J^"'=^^ '' concerned ; but still I must have a run fo?
SLnfn.?A»7 TrTi°*^J-i2"^.*?'^,"*^**y°^ *h« milk so well on pasture as you can on
green fodder I find less difficulty in keeping up the stindard of the milk in winter for that
reason than I do in summer. At the present time I am soiling. '
™,t irr^iL^^''^^Au'''^'^^'"J'^ ?" """"t^ f,"*^ *="* ^««'^' ^'id I steam everything together. I
f feed ^pLTh •/vfi'^TA^"'^ °"* corn-stalks, and choppedstuff, and steam them alltogether!
afifr^X ^ little hay. I have an agricultural steamer which came from Rochester, and it will
steam from twenty to forty bushels at a time. I find that the cattle do better on the steamed
f«!^'.^;ff^' °"*'.\°'' t^'^ll^hen I did not use the steamer they fell oflF in their milk. IS
feed a little uncut hay in the evenings after the regular feedings. I cut up all my straw and
corn stalks. The roots I feed are mangolds and turnips; I think they are good for d^rv
purposes but I prefer the mangolds. I have never had a 'case of abortbn in ihe Ayrshire
herd; I have never known a case to occur among our cattle since we had the GaUoways "
GENERAL FARMING— DAIRY FEEDING.
981
3 steers for
DAIRY FBEDIMO.
Mr. Malcolir who feeds as a dairyman, says : —
"As soon ae t e cows are put dry— which ih usually about Christmas— they are put upon
straw, chatf and a little hay, with a feed of cut turnips morning and evening. If I have
abundance of straw I do not cut it, but prefer to allow the cows to select the best, which they
cannot do if it is cut. What they leave is used for bedding, and so worked into manure 1
endeavour under this treatment to improve their condition, and therefore, if any are very thin
in Hesh, they are fed something more nourishing.
,. . "^." ^?** ^ consider it the backbone of successful dairying to get the cows up in fine con-
dition in January and February, and if one kind of food won't do, recourse must be had to
another more nourishing. I have no certain rule to go by in feeding either this or that • it
will all depend on their condition and time of calving.
. "^^. *°Y "^"'^ ^^** period I increase the rations of the more nourishing food, as the grow-
ing calf 18 a heavy drain upon the cow. When they do calve they are fed more or less chop
grain twice a dav, mixed generally with wheat-bran and all the good hay they will eat. At
the same tune I keep up the turnip feeding, and if I h.-ve a good supply I increase the quantity
ihey a.e brought up upon the grass gradually, a sudden change having a tendency to
make them too loose in their bowels. Through the latter half o. May and the greater part of
June, pasture 18 generally very abundant and nothing else is needed, and in fact so long as
pasture la good it is quite sufficient, but when it begins to fail, the cows must be fed or fall of!
in milk. Ihe general practice is, to let them take their chance, and the owner the conse-
quences, till fodder, corn, or after-grass can be obtained. The falling ofiF is generally so
serious, and impossible to restore for that season, that I concluded last summer to try bran
I commenced on the 20th of June, and fed bran till about the middle of September
when abundance of corn took its place. I put them in the stable morning and evening after
milking, and fed each about three pounds. This did not keep thom up to the full flow of milk
but unquestionably it did to such an extent as paid well for the bran. After the hay was cut'
they were fed a little in addition to the bran, but some would not eat it. The bran was fed
dry. This was attempted partly by way of experiment, and I am very well satisfied with the
r6huitfS*
"Fodder corn is perhaps the most reliable green food for August and part of September •
then to have a piece of mangold for October and November is good practice, but whatever it
be, the most economical dairying is liberal feeding.
"Another important matter is comfortable, well-ventilated stables. A certain amount of
heat must be kept up ; if this is not attained by good walls, the cow uses the food she eats for
that purpose. If those that are behind in this matter could only see their animals burnini?
their food in order to keep warm, they would open their eyes to the importance of a jrood
stable, and would, no doubt, soon procure one."
The subject of feeding on the soiling system is one of those open questions on
which few persons would desire to pronounce dogmatically in face of the many
arguments by which it may be supported or criticized. For the ordinary farmer
however— especially in view of the requirements of the shipping trade— it is probable
that, in most instances, a mixed system will be found most convenient as well as
most economical, while it affords the best preparation for the animals th-^mselves.
GRAZING FOR MARKET.
The practice of graziers is to buy cattle either in the fall or spring, as they may
hnd best, and ship them to Europe in the following August or September. Mr
Simmons, of Lobo (Middlesex), who pastures a large number of stock annually
strongly advises a moderate quantity of meal in addition to the green feed He
says: — "
'I believe it would pay fifty or one hundred per cent, of the money invested to feed meal
.SIX pounds per day, to cattle on the grass, more especially since the markets have changed'
and we are preparing our stock for the English trade. The cattle would be ready to jro to
market earlier in the season, when it costs a great deal less to ship, and the insurance would
be much less on account of the more favourable weather.
" In raismg cattle, they should be got ofiF the grass as soon as possible. I delivered forty
this week. They were just wintered through pretty well with a little meal, and they are
fairly good cattle now, and they will command a price of five cents. A number have been
sold the last few days at five cents. Cattle that have been fed through the winter a little
extra, and a portion of them given meal this summer on the grass, will run over five cents •
SnfoJr '"-<?* H^Al^MnT- 4 ^ u"v'* "' "-l"^'^^ they would have commanded more
inan lour ,.„n ™ nait v.ent= m liic lah. if thuac catrie were kept through, as cattle ordinarily
are, they would not weigh more than they do now, which is an average of 1,325 pounds, and
they would not be worth more than four and a quarter cents. -o , f o, auu
h '
L.ii
I;
I
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
mJiVl" IT"'' ^'Tk'" '" ^Tu'- ""^ ",'"■ ""^^ '■'''•''°»' '« P«""< «« I Relieve they have more fattenin..
T.iZ ,^T' [•"*" *"y\^'"|f «•?« ^« c^" f««'> to our Mtock. Now that we cann.,t rai" pe2f
III .f K ''»'' r'"\» "'^'''"y *" ^^"/ S°»^'' ''"* »»* «" ««"'> aB corn. I »«ed to fee. i a S
deal of peas but since the pea cro,. has failed I have fe.l corn. I alwayH had an idea! fro
.u^^^i:^.^, i^jr t;sToS?^:^^ij ^'sx'^^ ^"' ""'''''
feed them *' ''""'^ '' *^''* '" ""''' *° *^'* ^^^ ''^"''' ^'^''^'' "^"^ t^at U pays uras wellTo
and;;;^-;^^-^ lXr%S. S^ h^?"buri^^Sr^rS^?^^?'!f:
I don t know that It la any more fattening than hay. We have considerable past, re lamV
iro aLut''£rm£l.' iS"' SV"'"' "• 1° »•", •'•'f until .prine ; putare.! c.ttU for Engl.nil
CSm^rd-yt^iV^^^e^K^r^^^^^^^^^
the t^si^i^LTeOin^'r:^^^^^^^^^ «°"^^*^^"^ °^ '"^^ P-^*« ^^
hP«n"JlinfT«. f*"T "<.' "^^ r*^' *^'« P"«« ^« pay is about $25, though this year it has generally
1 100 S« wl h\ f ''"^''^^K H'^ "^^'^^ ^*'8*^* •** *^>««« '=a"le woul/.be from 90oTbs K
1,100 lbs. We have to pay about three cents per pound for good cattle of that desicrintion
abouHoro; t) 1 ::' ' w""/ r'- ^.i»^; ™'^'^y °^ ^'^^^^ ™ais for $w fJ m wSS
about 800 or 9^0 lbs. We find among the farmers a tolerably abundant supply of fairlv i?. nrl
grade cattle. We buy for about twenty miles round Chatham. ^^^ ^ ^ °'^
Our cattle sold for 5 cents a pound this spring after feedintr in the stall but nn^ nn fi,^
pasture-those that were bought the year before'. If the markers good in the fa"" we sd!
them that seas.m ; but, if not, we put them in the stall and feed them We find that ilsturl
fed cattle bring ^rood prices ; those sold off the grass generally bring about 4i cents perTound'
Of course there is something comes off the price for freight, as the further west we ^o tl?;
freight will be the greater. We sometimes buy good young cows, but they niu^t be welfhrpH
En'gllsh' market"' '"'"' "'" P"* "" "°" "^^^* *^^" '^ «*-^' and seU Lr"he eam^on "he
•' We claim that it costs us .$1 per month per head to feed cattle-say from Febniarv
until they are put into the stable in the fall-say about the month of NoveXr uS
ordinary circumstances we can pasture up to the end of October. After we put^hem into the
ThiLil fr* " • ^'T* '^l-^" JJr ""??**^- We keep them on that food for about tCmonths
SsO lbs ' "P ''"'"^ *"°'* '"""^'^ ^' ''''°"* ^^^■^»' ^'^'^ th« a^«'age weight aboui
hrJr,!^ ™Th?n 'X % P'lf * °^ about $6 per head, but when they are sold out of the stable they
bring moie than that. If we sold them in the spring, they would bring half a cent ner nnV3
more, or on an average from $60 to $70 a head in February. It wou d not C( st us so m.^rh t.
feed the., another three months. It does not matter to us whether we 111 them nVXuary
year's work'. '^' ^ *° '^'^" '^'"^ °"* *" February, so as to be ready for the nex^t
Mr. Albin Rawlings, of Foreat (Lambton), describes his method, as follows:—
" I pay all my attention to grazing. I buy the cattle when they are two or three years old
If I buy them in the fall I buy them at two and three years of age, and if in the sprinr I buy
only cattle three years of age. The cattle I purchase in th. spring I put ii the oastue abont
SfiTt^'J "^"7 • ^ ^'''" ^^^''^Jf'^ \^'^^ ^* ""^* ti™« f"-'"" «00 t« 1,200 poS that 8
when they ar > tliree years old. We buy the best grades we can get
hnv« fl. f ""Tl ^ one-fourth of the grass on the ground in the fall, so that in the spring I
have thi t o (1 .rasa, and can get my cattle earlier on it. They eat that grass by the niidtUe of
Ma^, and then the voung grass is stronger and better. ^ miame ot
• ' }u *i ^^''""f '• ^"x^ P",*^ ™^ ''?"l® °° ^bere there is rough grass. Last year I nut them
on in the last week m March. I find that the cattle on this grafs, and ha- wlllVain as fas^
as if they were in the stable and fed with meal and turnips. The heaviest I ever knew^steer
to gam in one SMmm.r was 700 pounds. _ This animal was fed only on grass. I don"t7eed mv
a.iimals on anything but the grass ; I give them no meal at all. » »• -^ aon c leetl my
* fv, l"^? 'Ill- "''"/" 'nerid farmers here to feed their cattle pretty well during the winter One
of the best things to feed them on in the wint.«r ia mm on ; af-o.„ „,,«• ; '*"„vp '".u J ,.■ m
meal twice a day. Cattle thus fed in the winter "wiil" comroui\"n"the;Sng ftet'ter"
inter. One
GENERAL FARMING— PERMANENT PASTURES. 233
" <!*"{■ farmera should hold their cattle till all the diHtillory cattle are shinned Thev shnnU
SnftillTair"'" "" •'"'^- '^^' '"''^^ ''^""''' '•« allowe^to KvTthe Xle pSe'Vrom
J ha've^ttedtixnTrii*;''*"*''^'' ^ t"{" ""^ V*"*"'^ ,*V '*""*^«''- I* '" a «••«•»* mistake to do bo.
r Swed mine l^TJl^t ' " 'J'"".? ^new clianKed his cattle to different pasttireH every week
head mwe than h h T L?!:/^/"'" *''? '^*'' '' ?'"I"«'' = *•>« 'f""'* ^*« *»"'* '"'»« «"»^> *<"• «« »
X^i^rnut freHh Jf U, in fl*V"^ increaHed price to not changing the pantures. I observe
they wm no be able to ia Whi v*"'^ ^^'% "^^ ^\* '^'"^ »"''«« themHelveH, and afterwards
do much better! •• ^"" ''^^P *''*™ '" ^^^ •"""« I"^*'""*-^ "'«y «"* regularly and
PE> MJANENT PASTURKS.
Although the maintenance of pasturage is a branch of tlie farmer's business
?M in«fnm!n! f ™^'«^ » »P«'-'^t'on« that it may as well, j.orhaps, ho noticed here. It
r«f nnf .^^ to consider permanent pastures, except in the case of rough land, where
a stunted growth , nay afford a very doubtful subsistence to Bo.r.„.y bLts, to be an
seeded down ten years ago, were found, a result supposed to be largely due to thJ
™otrrnarnt':.rHfi '^""'^r* '"'^^''"' '^"^ *^'« large'Uount of moiLre in the soTl!
no permanent artificial pastures were seen during the whole of the journeys of the
^ZaTIT'""\ ^r ?*^'i"««. however, claims that he has pastures Sh have
^S^eStVTelolltin'g b^fngt^^^^r^'^"^ ''''-'''' ^" ^'^ ^« '^''^ ''^^ '^
Red clover on.
Alsike ^ lbs.
Dutch (white) ■,■.;■. ^? .,
Timothy ■.■.".'.■.■.■.■. r* ..
Irish cocksfoot o d
Orchard grass , . .............'.'.' » i<
Lucerne !.!!.,!!!. o <>
'^'°**^ 19 lbs.
,„i J,''''* '^ the quantity for one acre, and will give a permanent pasture. How the
mixture operates he describes as follows :—
,m It!^^^ *Kf ^'■'- ^t^"" the clover be^jins to give out. The orchard grass and cocksfoot are
this fir t auS the"nThe nit ^^''' *^" ^"""l^k 'V^^^ *^""* ^""^ '"'^es, and the cattle get
tms lirst, aud then tlie timothy comes on and the alsike and white clover. The grasses I have
recommended above come up at dififerent periods, and they make a good bottom and where
Tbe'r YhainthXn?h '' f ^"IP^^ture The ti(iothy, I think, stands the drLgh?
,^ll^T: • V . any hay from these pastures for three or four years. I got a great
deal of experience about grazing in New YorTc State, where they leave one-third of the S
on in the fall, so as to let the cattle on early in the spring." ^
His method of sowing and managing the pastures is thus referred to :—
" I have been sowing timothy in the fall latterly. I would recomm-nd to have thp Un^
m a proper state of cultivation and to sow down without any crop ''**
the timoSvTn"?he fill^TnH ^r^ ^'fj'^' °^ '''^•'"^V O" ^^^ ^^'^ P^^ture I have I sowed
ine tiraotny in the fall, and the other grasses in the spring. I would recommend bv all
means to sow the grass seed in the month of March when the land is very dryTnd the earth
he^n Thr.'!«;T^V?''j' ^''"' ■"*" *^*^ '''^^^'' '^"d when rain comes WearthfiUs over
them Ihis year I advised a person to sow his grass about the eighth of March and it hM
twSU^a^srrlfof^r^L*'^ ''''' ^' P^™'"^'^* P-*"-' *h- ''^^ 5-t hlv'e lL5e1
" The akike remains the best grass we have in Canada for milking or grazing purposes."
TOP DRESSING.
Mr. Rawlings adds, with regard to the treatment of pastures :—
„-i,-„ "^P "P - -srtility fi. the pa&tnre I reeoiamend toij dressing with eitlier leached
tlrLl T^ '°^"T y^*" r° ^^*- ,. Iwould not recommend any special manure. lLI plas
See as muchiri '? ^"^''' "'' "^^' '°"- ^^''' ^^ ^^^« ^"'^^ *«P dressing we have got
16
384
VNTARIO AOEIOVLTOBAL COMMISSION.
Profeuor Brown also advises the use of mixed grasses, and in rather a larger
propurtiun tu the acre than Mr. Rawlings. Mr. Brown's recii)o is as follows : —
" Timothy fi iwunds.
Orchard Onws 3 "
RedTop 1 "
Meadow FeHcue 1 "
Kentucky Blue 1 '*
Yellow Oat 1 "
FanOut 1 "
Bent GraHH 1 "
Making 16 pounds of ((raiiiiea proper, along with the following clovers :—
Lucerne B pounds.
White (or Dutch) Clovef • 3
Alsike 1
Red 1
Trefoil 1 "
1 1 Mftlf in(f 11 pounds of clover, which, with the 15 pounds of grasses, make 26 pounds of
seed altogether."
Professor Brown adds : —
"The proper management of permanent pasture Involves a rich surface, spring seeding,
easy first year grazing, and top drcHsing every third year, either with compoHt, bones, or
farm-yard manure. Nobody can expect to keep up permanent pasture unless he provides it
with some nourishment."
It does not follow that precisely the same grasses will be equally suitable in
eveiy situation, nor yet that permanent pastures can be maintained everywhere,
but it will bo well for all who have an apparently favourable opportunity, to test
the means thus suggested, always, however, remembering that judicious treatment
and management are as necessary for pasture as for other crops, and that the best
combination of grasses may fail if they are not properly treated.
I)ISTILLERY-PED CATTLE.
As a market for young stock or for cattle suitable for beefing purposes, but not
in full condition for the market, the farmer has indirectly an interest in distillery
feeding. Several thousand head of cattle are fed annually at the distilleries of
Messrs, Walker, near Windsor ; Messrs. Gooderhlam & Worts, at Toronto ; and Mr.
Wiser, M.P. , at Prescott. Messrs. Walker, also, pasture a very large number on
aome extensive marsh lands in the County of Essex. The firm commence buying in
February for pasturing, feed the cattle first on coarse fodder, such as cornstalks or
straw, pasture them for six months, and, in the fall, put them on distillery slop.
For the distillery only, the cattle are bought in September and October, and at
once put into the barns. Mr. Walker says : —
"They usually weigh when purchased 800 to 950 pounds at two years, or 1,000 pounds
and over at three years old. During the winter thev are fed entirely on distillery slop, ex-
cept that they get a little hay to make a cud. For the liwt three months of feeding they get
some barley ground, or corn meal, mixed with slop. That brings them to the spring or ship-
ping time."
The weight of the cattle when purchased is low, and would indicate that many
of them are scarcely so well bred for feeding as the purchasers would desire. Mr.
Walker says of the prices paid and received : —
" Prices vary much In different years, and quality always governs prices. Last year the
price averagad a fraction over 3 cents per pound. We give one-fourth to one-half cent more
for extra grade and heavy beasts. We were offered close upon 53 cents per pound for nearly
all our cattle this year. "We depend for success chiefly on the selection we make when pur-
chasing. The average weight in the spring was about 1,300 pounds. We should commence
shipping when navigation opens, and get them all off by the Ist of July."
The firm shipped over 2,000 head to Europe last year. Mr. Walker alleges
there is no prejudice against distillery-fed cattle. The meat, he says, is " juicy,
tender, and fine ; the dry meal hardening and giving it firmness." This is quite
confirmed by evidence from the other side of the Atlantic. Mr. Walker complains,
GENERAL FARMINU^TREATMENT OF OALVES. 236
Sot;" :-^^"' *^* '*««" "^ ^«''- "f ^h« -«ht -tamp are not easily obtainable.
« <;> 4C> per cent. Zrc tkan a cZntn aZZ'aJt a tZl"^ 'r*/ -^'fr'^A, a< a uivm aj/,
will run I..WO t,. 1,400 pounds, live weight ^ fl '"^^'- 'luahty at that. Our own steerH
grades. Two Hteern we h,J, p.^fn at tw;, a„,l , ITu "''* = *^** «"•"''• ««'y "PPly to
together, 4.400 pound.. The>^ w^eiUed 1 tl kTVo T Tn.r^'^'''^^'*'*'!'' \* ♦^>'-«« y«a" ^%La,
In they had been fe.I on di.tillerTK wi h hav i,? P^'^'J" "^^ *^'"' P"" »"• Until pu
Hlop till clo.e upon the end of feo^lini'.'if n!,t altoir^""""' " ^"* '" "'"^ ^'''^ '"^^ °°
to MOO p. a Which in his \^^:^^:;^::\^:r:^^
poundH, wLdl iimy^^^iSn iH*fh^tt\';i.%ft ^'^'"'""'^ T'f »?'"*< ^^'^'^ ""^ "-teen hunVred
a 1.500 lb., bullock tLn .m?;!, ghini row f/^i^^^ *" "'"•"• "'h^^'^^ »» "X"-" t" fre^S
aloue-a very large item in shipping a number of cat le * *^ "^ ^*^ ^'^ '"°*- i ' ' ' " "
in the freight
The daily routine of treatment is as follows-—
.Ui;h1ViSfeUVf'ed Sferita^SlerV^S.''^'^ ^."/ «t* "".*='-" ^» *- »^--
o'oock hay again; at. nay, five oV-locl^ the SS *' '^°
W.U eat through the night, making six feedlT^ ^^ZtTlZt^L^^:^ :::^ itZ
Mr. Wiser makes the following remarks on the quality of distillery-fed cattle •-
^^^^J^i^:^t^^-^^i ^' '-^T' with cTr!!ftrrk;7
it c:;s zrtsr£,sih^"i£9sI^?Sr ^
this m;itter. but I do not think it is borneon?hlft ^1^'^'^'°%} ''""*^' existing with some in
rsfeiJ^l- iStii^S -^-^^^ t^ui^^E^tS;
in.t:Sl2 Sw^?olSi:Sr;;;^;:^LS:^:^^ ^^- o«.rs the folW
highes't TarketTrel^^et'Sl^ir Z.^^uftl Y^'^' '1 '^^^.^uP^* *« -^"- *»>«
market. It is a waste of raw material to send ^for )„flf'l"!? ""i^ «""'!' '^^^^y- ^'^^ «t°«k to
market is too far away, and the eWses are t,l ''"'; h»lf-fattened cattle to England. The
get the price good stock will comZnd in their mS's" "' P""' "''*"' ^^"' ^""^ ^^^^^^ »»
TREa.TMENT OF CALVES.
already been noticed. Mr. Hoh,nn. aff«. l!^:i^:t,„ I-^^.'^'?"®"* t'-fatment has
calf, which, m his case, is similarto tharprao'tiid b^ Mn cSr":;:.!! "'^ ^"""^
286
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
bran. I used to feed corn, but the duty on that article hurts us a little ; last fall we could get
peas for 55 cents a bushel, and I found them cheaper than com. During the first winter I
would let the calves run loose. I think that is better than having them tied, as they should
have exei cise. During the first winter I feed them on hay, meal, roots— turnips and man-
golds, but principally turnips— and bran, which I have used very largely of late years, and I
think with great advantage. If I saw cattle were losing flesh under the system I was follow-
ing, I would vary their feed a little — give them more meal, perhaps. But 1 would seek always
to have them kept fat."
The use of bran as a feed for cattle is very strongly recommended by Mr. Hobson,
as well as others. Both as a wholesome and very economical diet, and as supplying
a most valuable manure, bran deserves to be used much more freely than it has
been hitherto.
Mr. Miller's management of calves is described by him as follows : —
" I think it pays best to have the calves dropped towards the end of the year. I would
sell the bulls when they are from twelve to fifteen months old. They are commonly bought
in the spring for breeding purposes — about March or April. I usually keep my calves shut up
in the house, and let them to trie cows twico a day, morning and night. We usually keep them
shut up for six or seven months, and give them grass (when I can cut it), oats and peas, and
a little bran. I allov/ the calves to run loose ; I think this is better than tying them, as they
need exercise. After they are weaned I allow them to continue to run loose until winter, and
then I tie them up. I am speaking now of heifer calves. The bull calves I allow to run loose
in separate boxes. "
Mr. Drury, whose general system of farming is more in keeping with that of the
ordinary run of farmers, adopts a rather different method. He says : —
" I aim to have my calves dropped about the last of March or the first of April. I take
them right away from the dam at once, and never let them suck at all. I wean them and
milk the cow, feeding the calf for seven weeks on new milk. I do not add anything during
that time to the milk, and I give them all the milk they will take. I believe that is a more
economical plan than to allow the calves to follow the dam. If you allow a calf to run with
the dam, the running about is likely to keep it poor. At the end of seven weeks I feed the
calves skim milk. I do not wean them suddenly, but give them a feed of new milk occasion-
ally before finally weaning them, in order to accustom them to the change. Sometimes the
change will result in scouring, and I think it well to give them ground flaxseed boiled with
the milk."
Mr. Drury's subsequent treatment of young stock has been already noticed.
Mr. Benson, who raises, it will be recollected, thoroughbred stock, describes his
jjlan as follows : —
" When a calf is dropped we let it stay three or four days with the cow, and milk the cow all
w-e can, in order to keep its bag in a good state. This prevents inflammation in the bag. As
soon as the cow's udder gets into a safe condition, I separate the calf from the cow, put it into a
place by itself, and accustom it to be halter-tied a little every day. I give it as much milk from
the cow as it will take three times a day. If it is a good strong calf, I begin quite early, perhaps
in the second week, to mix a little flaxseed with the milk, perhaps a teaspoonful of boiled flax-
seed. We feed it for about a month on new milk, and then we begin to feed it on skim milk
with flaxseed, and at the end of ten weeks or three months we do not give it anything but
skim milk and flaxseed. I generally find that the calves do very well on that fare. I have a
little field with a nice shed in it, and supplied with water, and when they become big calves
I feed them with milk twice a day, and let them have all they want of ground oats mixed
with a little bran. I think bran is a good feed to produce milk. I always feed my thorough-
breds with a mixture of, perhaps, two-thirds oats and one-third bran; but I never give them
any corn meal. Bran has a good deal of phosphate in it, and keeps the calf in good condition."
In Kent and Essex, the Detroit market for calves offers a temptation to the
farmer to send them over to the butcher at a very early age, the value being gener-
ally reckoned at about a dollar for each week of their existence. Mr. Alanson
Elliott, of Colchester (Essex), says, in this connection: —
"We do a large trade in calves in our part of the country. The hucksters buy them and
take them to Detroit. These calves are sold at from three to eight weeks old, and they bring
from $3.50 to $10. They average about $1 a week. I let my calves suck the cow, as that is
the least troublesome plan ; and after the calves are taken oflP we milk the cows. We only let
the calves suck the cow in the evening and morning; they are kept from them all day."
Mr. Rudd of Eramosa (Wellington), who breeds Devon cattle, says of his
method of managing calves : —
" I always allow the calves to suck their mothers. I generally have the calves come about
vith that of the
salves come about
GENERAL FARMING-OIL CAKE AS CATTLE FEED. 237
SL5a%td^fcrS^^^^^^^^ a little later. In winter we
with straw and a little bran I lo nof ^?^ w r ^^^^-^ smaU quantity of hay mixed
calve. I give them bran and 'turiips a^dhlV after £f cXe." "^ "''^^-°°* ^^«" ^'^' '^'^
Mr Hunter, the Shorthorn breeder of Alma, says on this point :-
after tha? rJo'SHhTa^eTnull to anfo^tZTr'^ '""'^ ^'^^^^^^ ^^^ °*'^-- — > but
mothers. I do not care toLve them come sooner^hano'; ^e allow our calves to suck their
till April. I think it is more proSe tThavThPn. nZ ^'■•' '^ l^T^h and from that time
seUthebuU calves at from St tnfiffiliu'''"^?"™®*™® before January. I generally
before we get them sold. ThTcalves that comein 'f )°V I «°"««"«« ^^ey are^wo fears oS
from six to eight months. TowSrthrsprTnrwLn f h!, f """ ''""'^ iZ ^° ^'*^ ^'^^ ««^ ^^^
calf from it, and feed it on cut hay inked wfth £n wf i S"e« on the grass, we take the
and feed them on green feed while we can Jt it and nffl!^ !fP ^" the young cattle housed,
and perhaps some boiled feed wT feed thV bull «n,i?r<fl''-r''° *=",* ^^^ '^'''^^ ^'*h bran
same way. The calves that come in the spring we prefer to let iTn'w^f/^ P''"^ ?""'''^ *^«
summer until the very hot weather comes Tnflf«fif* • ^^° ^'*^ the cows during the
calves all they wiU eat, and we genera% mix the r Jlfn S'h ""^ ^'7 the thoroughbred
chaflF, which we prefer even to the cuthKheirstomfoC J«,t f^'^^ and cut hay-or wheat
upon it than upon the cut hay In raisinrf LllpT ? fv,- i™-^-''^^P '''. Wealthier condition
should be well attended to duriL the C^two monfL "/^^ '■ '^r''yJ"P°'**'^"hat they
months they should be entirely kipt away from fled tmtil 5tir°S *^' ^v,''* '^ l^'^' °^ t^°
they have a cud to chew. The only grade catUe T k«Pn oL*''^'/ «*0"?fch8 will digest it, and
and occasionally we have some younl heffprt V^»f w! ^ ^^- ^/^"^ "*^^^ '^'^^ f""- the house,
feeding at present ; we did SreTeLptthorSornl'' ''''"''' *°' "'^'''- ^' '^^ '^'^^ ^^ '^^7
He^ysf- '*'°"^' °^ ^'""^°'"' ^"^ ^^« "^^th^'i «f calf-treatment also to describe.
win;;r''\^"haVe1Lirw\iretei°hl*^^^^^^^^^^^^ or Noye„,b er-_i let it suck all
I begin to feed a little chopped stuff anfharandturnfDs to ZWf'" t^^ ?f * ^* *h« «*her.
I keep on feeding it in that way until the Jrass comes^Ld I thpn '^^^^^^^ *•>•!
do not brmg it in again tiU the fall. I allow it to sTink fh7,i.J^ *P"* '* °,"* *? P*^*"''® ^nd
until she is going to have another calf. Wh^n we keefthe m^fc^.^vf^'^^A^'^" months-
seem to be quieter than when we keep them seplrate.'^ ^^ °^^ together they
or efr5y wrntr%^ulfol7ves\r^^^^^^^ '""^PP^^ ^" *¥ ^^"- «-d ^f the year,
^|4-Snd.So^:?tSSE^
and then forcing the animal into marketab rshapeTt\l tb^^^^
every successful and intelligent breeder irtnfppK!li i^ ^^"^'^•..The policy of
first hour of the creature's life. ^" *"^ systematically from the
OIIi-CAKE AS CATTLE FEED
feed^mSVeTrbt ^t:V^^^^^^^^ *«.*^e - of oil-cake as a
mentioned, only spoken of incTdeSly ^ agricultural witnesses, or if
wiU^liswefairsfariell^^r^^^ t^ ' H^ tttf ^"^ ^^** V^^^^^^^ "^^
"oil-cake is healthier food in everTrespect tha^ialn » ST v *^" ^P^'^^^" *^**
use of ground oil-cake as a substituteTor peas See thSS'T T "*^°"' *^^
Mr. Benson uses flaxseed, ground, in preference to tb. . v ^^^^P^^^^^P-
recommends it as one of the substanUscoSnLg the most StZjf^T ?«"
producing the best manure As a ma+f^r r.f tnnl^ -i ? • '"*'^ogen. and therefore
««, alhough largely manutS' to OnSi.ldtSp'SedtVu'r.'"?"^
tta country, where Canadian cake c„,nmand. .he ve-y higS*U°in S'SriS
f.rit'Tth?SfvSc77ft °J! °''-°"'"' '''t''ta8 ■»<>'« prominently before the
Wo.alar.e^TnX^n^^FZ-STL-S^aStetJS'Ufe^^^
w^r
238
ONTARIO AGBICULTUBAL COMMISSION.
fcA aaJ^^" J 1 ^ y®'^ interesting evidence, it appears that in 1878 no less than
160,000 bushels of linseed was grown in Ontario, the exportation of cake to Great
BnJtam that year being about 2,500 tons, and the home consumption only some
1,000 tons. As a contrast to this sparing use of so valuable a product in Canada it
18 shown by the returns, that, in 1878, besides importing ten million bushels' of
. flax seed. Great Britain also purchased from abroati "230,000 tons of oil-cake, in ad-
dition to rape-cake, cotton-cake, etc. In other w.:>rds, allowing for a difference in
population, Canada used only one pound of oil-cake for every forty-three pounds
which ought to have been used to equal the British consumption. The growth of
the seed here may oe carried on to an unlimited extent. The cake costs the Cana-
dian farmer some $15 to $16 a ton less than it costs the English consumer. If used
in Canada as feed, the oil-cake would bring just twice as much in meat as it does
m a raw state, besides producing a most valuable manure ; and yet the quantity
consumed here is quite inconsiderable.
As to the results of feeding oil-cake to cattle, it is asserted that, with stall-fed
cattle. It produces eighty pounds additional weight to every hundred pounds of oil-
^ cake fed ; and then the residue is of great value as manure— very much superior to
the manure from ordinary feed. In England it is valued at about $18.50 per ton
of oil-cake fed. In England it is a common thing to insert a stipulation m land
leases that so many tons of oil-cake per annum s" all be fed upon the land Oil
cake IS worth in this country from $32 to $35 per 2,0C0 pounds by the car load
Now, if one hundred pounds of oil-cake fed to an animal will produce eieh+v
pounds of beef, or a ton of cake 1,600 lbs. of beef— a ton of cake costs, as alreadv
shown, from $30 to $35, say $32 on the average. But that ton of cake will not
only produce 1,600 lbs. of meat, but also manure, worth, according to the value
put upon It m England, of $18.50 fcr application to the crops of the farm thus re
ducmg the cost of the ton of meat-producing material to some $13.50 from its first
cost m Canada, and making the actual net cost of the 1,600 lbs. of meat only about
nine-tenths of a cent per pound, providing the value of manure in Ontario were the
same as in England. There are other charges, of course, to be taken into account
but, as between oil-cake and beef, the result is, on the best authority, just as stated'
In fact, no manure produced from any of the ordinary feeds approaches in richness
that from oil-cake. The manure from turnip feed is reckoned in England at about
sixty cents per ton for every ton of turnips fed ; from Indian com at about $7 for
every ton of com feed ; and from peas and beans, at $14 for every ton of feed In
other words, oil-cake feed manure is fully 25 per cent, more valuable than pea-feed
manure ; 250 per cent, more valuable than Indian-corn feed manure and thirty
times more valuable than turnip-feed manure. As to the comparative cost of oil-
cake with other feeds, Mr. Elliott says :—
'•With regard to the comparative prices of oil-cake and other feeds on the farm, oil-cake
would be worth about If cents a pound, corn not quite a cent a pound, and the Sks nearly
U cents ; but neither of thesewill io so well for milk and fattening as oil-cake. I don't thTnk
Indian com for any purpose is as good as peas. The oil cake is solid food, having had all the
Mr. Richard Hall, than whom, on the quality of respective feeds as exemplified
in the condition of the animals sent to market, there can be no better authority
says : — •"
rr^.u^jT- ^^^ f'^^ourable to the use of oil-cake as food for either stall-fed or grass-fed ani-
mals. It IS now universally used by farmers in England and Scotland. Canada exports
large quantities of it to Eng and., and the Canadian oil-cake is highly appreciated there In
feeHing oil cake I would beg n with three or four pounds and finish with eight pounds aday
a large animal would take a little more. In a large city like this, where they are feeding so
many m stables, manure is of no value, but in the country it is, and nothine makeaso lod
manure as oil-cake. I would also recommend oil-cake for distillery cattle ^ ^
Dunne r.hn lojaf f urn nr fV>rn.» T.pr,-n fU„ „r.___ .i. .<. ,, ..,•' ,. •, , • _.• _• ,
J -J ^1 "•"'" — J 1 iV" ."•"^- • j"i^i^7 sne v;narav;tcr ui tnu carae snippea trom Canada has
decidedly improved, and their reputetion has made rapid strides. I would strong y advise
the introduction of oi -cake as a food ; first, on account of its nutritious qualitiesrand \nthl
next place, because it is a food that can be conSnued during the sea voyage "
mm
8 no less than
cake to Great
ion only some
b in Canada, it
ion bushels of
)il-cake, in ad-
a difference in
-three pounds
?hft growth of
osts the Cana-
imer. If used
eat as it does
the quantity
with stall-fed
pounds of oil-
ch superior to
518.50 per ton
lation in land
le land. Oil-
J car load,
roduce eighty
its, as already
cake will not
: to the value
arm, thus re-
' from its first
at only about
;ario were the
into account,
just as stated,
es in richness
land at about
r about $7 for
I of feed. In
than pea-feed
■e, and thirty
e cost of oil-
I farm, oil-cake
;he peas nearly
I don't think
ing had all the
it there is only
8 exemplified
;er authority,
grass-fed ani-
'anada exports
ted there. In
pounds a day ;
are feeding so
nakes so good
lu Canada has
trongly advise
iea, and in tha
OENEBAL FABMING-PROFITS OF CATTLE FEEDINO. 239
The cheapness with which coarse grains can be grown in Ontario no donht
S BritaTn'hu^''' "^!"g «il-ke to so large an^xtent as Tt LTmpToyed xa
W« kZ « ' fA ^""^ *"'™?,^^ preparmg for the market, especially those which
We been grass-fed, or in all cases where it is desired to tSrn out a first cW
article, oil-cake may, if in no others, be used liberally, and to great advantage
PROFITS OF CATTLE FBKDINO.
That feeding cattle is in its pecuniary results profitable, and, under ordinarv
S« «. ?W ' ^^'t^- '\^^"^* questioned by any of the witnessed, Although Jhey
arrive at that conclusion by diflFerent methods and on different grounds The buver
of stock for feeding is able to give with tolerable exactness the cost and nrofiJ^n^
his undertaking. Mr Smith, of Harwich (Kent), it will be observed wttuy"
cattle in February feeds them roughly till the season admits of a resort 't^ the ms
tures, and then either ships, or stall feeds till the following spring He esSiate^
the cost of feeding to be $1 per head per month during thi fiJst f eriod and «4 50
per month in stall. He buys at prices ranging from $25 to S^per h^ad and ff
he stall feeds them, realizes five cents per head on ^ averlge weTgh of $1350
thus showing a very handsome profit. For cattle off tTe grassf thlpT^ce would b^
about 4i cents per lb., and the profit not over some $6 per head
Mr. John Geary, of London, buys steers in the fall from 1 100 to 1 9nn n^a
weight, at 3 to 3^ cents, brings them'up to 1,400 to 1.500 Ibs^anrells thf at si
cents ; the cost of feeding being, he reckons, about 23 cents per day for s x mon hs^
or $41 40 per head If the average cost be 3^ cents, and the average weigh™ at th^
time of purchase 1,150 lbs and the cost of the steer in the spring,Tot allowing for
any casualties, would be about $78, and if sold for 5 J cents on an average of ?450
lbs , the account would be almost exactly balanced.^ But then, it will have been
noticed Mr. Geary remarks that his chief object is the manure, knd Fhe mikes the
value of the manure his profit he is perfectly satisfied . » '" " "e maxes the
1,1 I' ^^n"'^ appears to act on pretty nearly the same principle. And it is nrob-
able the bulk of the farmers who sell their young stock to sSch feeders as those
iiamed are content with the same form of profit. The cost to the breeder of brin^!
ing stock up to a given age is less easy to ascertain. In fact it is hardly attemnted
by any one. It pays, they all know, to breed good beefing stock ; it payT the
feeder knows, to buy and feed good stock ; but just how it pays is Aot so Sw to
show m so many figures Professor Brown meets the matter in his evidence^ as
already mentioned, very boldly. He, of course, proceeds on facts as ascertained bv
hunself or other careful observers. He says :— ctai-eriainea oy
a„-i T^^®*^^''"^^'^^'^^* °^ the steers we have been accustomed to handle is 1 745 nonnrl,
and I can give you accurately the cost of bringing that animal to that cond tion atSe vpi«
old. The milk necessary to maintain that steer, while a calf, will co°t $23- it wil? e J S
worth of roots, $44 worth of grain, $21 worth of fodder of different kildsa.'idSr^wnrfV,^?
pasture, and its attendance, taken in connection with the attendance of a lie nZw nf
other animals will cost $12, making a total of $175 against the steer The larS sum whioh
can possibly he received at present for that animal ^$105 There « twif,^l „! .
loss of $70. . You are aware^hat no animal wiC"di!ectlylrThelS S^^^^^^
K. ?®''^*u^''® il *x" ^PPa^'l?* paradox. It is gravely laid down that every beast
bred and brought to a condition for market, allowing the best prices to Kot for
t, entails a loss on the breeder and feeder. Yet now one knows better than Pro-
fessor Brown that, in sight of the Model Farm, are plenty of farmers making money
eve^ year by just this ruinous process. Nay, no one would more earnesfl^Jhan
Professor Brown urge his brother agriculturists to go on ruining themserves by the
same process The meaning of this proposition is, first that everything consumed
by the animal from its birth being charged-not at the cost of raisiL but-at
s"S?.^^t;J_L^;r^!!t5V4^"™T*"^^^^ Theprofiton the feel'isrU'
., ,.„„^^i, DciHg luuud Oil ihe larm instead of, it maybe miles
I^I^^^ ^^i°"'*' °^ marketing are saved, while much that would not be maS-
able in the ordinary sense, is thus consumed at an actual profit. But this does not
explain the whole difference. Professor Brown goes on in the words quoted pre-
840
ONTARIO AOBICULTUBAL COMMISSION.
7^°"4y' *? 5l°^ *^^* *^« ^al"« of the manure produced by a beast at the age named
IS just $dU.5U.
In other words, putting the money value named by Mr. Brown on the manure,
and agamst the apparent loss, the beast is sold for exactly what it cost ; but all the
food It has consumed has paid the farmer a handsome profit. Mr. Brown's estimate
may startle some persons, the expenditure and receipts being put at high figures.
Bn.t first-class farmmg first-class stock, and first-class prices, are not uncommonly
found m company and SIX cents per lb. is not at all too high a price to put on good
grade steers of such weight and quality as Mr. Brown has in view, with the facilities
for shipment he is locally famihar with. Professor Brown's crop estimates will be
noticed under another head. Meantime it may be well to observe what results he
claims und^ a sj^stem of operations in whic the raising of stock is a prominent in-
gredient. He makes a profit after distributing the cost ^f manure and other general
charges over a seven years rotation, and allowing average market prices
raised under that system (but not including rental or interest) as follows •-
on
crops
Mangolds or Turnips «^4 wn r^o^ „„-„
Wheat with the Straw ^ $34 80 per acre
Oats with the Straw. . .; ".".V, j? ^
^Barley with the Straw ' .' q In
Hay ;....:::::::::::::■;■ iSS
Peas and Pea Straw ' 1-7 ok
Carrots •■ HH
Potatoes.
28 39
or an average on the above crops, raised on one acre, of nearly $26 per acre of profit
±he manure on the one hand is all charged to the crops, while the crops yielding
straw are credited with the value of the straw. This again explains much that is
apparently paradoxical in the original statement. Farmers as a rule reckon neither
straw, for fodder, nor the manure worth anything, and mentally balance one off
agamst the other. Mr Brown takes notice of both in his account. It may be re-
marked, here, that Professor Brown does not claim to raise heavier crops than, bv
really good management many farmers throughout the Province are found to obtain
under the respective heads, while in some cases, both as to yield and market rates.
he takes a low average. '
There is another point in Professor Brown's evidence which may be noticed here
in connecti^ .i with the subject of feeding-the importance, in an economical sense,
of bringing cattle up to a marketable size in the shortest possible period of time!
• "J^I i*?no^''*"^P!,® °^ ^^^' f ^^y «*ate tfia* five cattle when twentv-two months old
Itft^ ^'^^I P°S?f' T.^; ^"""i *h^ ™««* ^^"^^ °^« be obtained for them It that age is four
cents a pound, or $44. At twenty-nine months old they averaged 1,477, and they tm brine
at that age six cents a pound, or $88. If these cattle had been kept for seven months lonee?
they would have mcreased to 1 717 lbs., and yet we would get no more money per nound for
them, unless they were extraordinary beasts, or fatted up for exhibition ^
But we are speaking now of marketable animals, and such an animal would brine an
average o only $103, or 16 per cent, of increase, as against 31| per cenT. in the first^
The question here is, did it pay to sell at twenty-nine months or at thirty six months '
animal at twenty-nine months fetched $88, and cost $147, leaving an applreiS Toss of
while the animal at thirty-six months fetched $103, and cost $184, leaving
«81. «hnw,ncr .. ^,ff..»„„. ^t . .u: er four per cent, in favour of tl
get rid of our beefing animals the better.
case.
The
an apparent loss of
I feel quite certain that the sooner we can get rid of our beefing animals the better."
HompSr??/^"""'' '''/^* very forcibly by Mr. Armstrong, of Eramosa, and
!^^ rS^iI ' ^o? '' ""^ difficulty in bringing a well-bred animal up to from 1,400
to 1 500 lbs. at 2h years. In feeding them the farmer must look not at one but at
stock to br-°''"' " "" "^~* "^ ^"""^'"^ ^ ^"" "■"'^""' "- ="""
1. A steady increase in value of his farm.
he age named
ii or sfOou
GENERAL FABMINO-CATTLE SHIPPING TRADE. 241
2. Increased profits on all crops raised for market, as wheat, etc
THE CATTLE SHIPPING TRADE.
ket for"^ttr«°!ll!fJ"'P'?^'i'''^ *^'"^^" «^"^« ^"'^'^^r *""«ion to the British mar-
wk ? already noticed several times incidentally
otheTs'tl'Sdeletwrqr^^^ '" '"" ^^^"^ ^^" ^^^^^^ ^^ ^^- ^^^ -^
the^biTe^s^nlLttl^r^Id^^^^^^^^^ ^^«- ^^ -ight, are what
keep^\r^2lv:fC?heTbi ^ When Vh^i t^ftl^T '^'?*u^''°'J ^°™^1« ' they wiU
particularly good Cs and thevhavP tr«vJni f"^^' bullocks with good flanks and loins,
that they fooked weuf bi^t if I hapnILdTo hi ?Zlt '^''■?"°\ "P .*° ^°'^'^°" ^ ^"''^ *°"°d
of its journey I hardly knew it T t?1nt f ^ -^ ^ 1* n^^ f"*,'"*^ *"«^ Sfot it to the other end
pounds, dressed we^h^t-I can tell vmnoth^r T''.^""°*='' ^\*t '«"« ^^tter than one of 800
a quarter to eleven fcore a quarter Ire the mnft ««r"l/"^^ '^^'^^^' ,^""o''l^« *^o°» "i'le «core
to ten in Manchester In^Seld von^nnnnf tf^"^ lu ^'^erpool ; a bullock of from nine
weight preferred in London if l^'i''e:VrSnX'm 9^^^^^^^^^^ ''^^
reckoned ten score a ouarfpr Tn T r,T,ri^r, 1; Z^^ j ? ^''?"® to 105, 100 stone may be
the stone/ T^ewoivSts that would h«Tv,f ^ * pounds go to the stone ; they quote there by
weigh alive on^lTsXtLfnf f ^oS-So tl "(W po3 " ' """^^ ^' *'°" °^ ^^"^^ "^"'^
thoroulhb'edTas Jos'ff ~oTbetwee?TTr* ^.^°f^^1'* ^t"^« ^^^'''h are as near
nativecowwould bea ve^v^od one T «!?». kZ^'Z^^^^^-^. Shorthorn and a well-selected
Shorthorns. I have shiS^all breeds bif^T finH* f K^""" ^^"tt"",^^ *? the necessity of using
fat is the best for the £S market '' Yo„ Jvlv ^* an animal which combines flesh witE
rough, and though he mfv ha" sk iAohl nf ?„7 l^ ^ middlmg grade steer which is rather
fat, well-proportioned Zrouchbred W« hi ^V^^' ^^ ^'." °°t sell so well as a nice,
sufficient breeding whkh 3d ^LmYnH^^,^^^*! '^''^^ F^^e cattle of good shape and
kept toaprSr^e FarmSturn nTf^^^ highest price n England if they were only
though their fieshTnice3 tPnZ- fif ^"" f*^^""' ^t two and a half or three yelrs old, and
know^hem when tLy reacheS%^^^^^^ ''" ^'''''^ *" ''^""^ the voyage ; /ou would not
half^in"?^v ^^ ^Joubted^hether any considerable number of cattle from two and a
in the aSmirSself iLS fp^;if ^ ^^f '"'f '^ '^P^'^ ^^ *^« witnesses. Quality
" The American cattle killed at Liverpool and Birkenhead have grown in favour a good
242
ONTARIO AORIGULTURAL COMMISSION.
SniTemTntJfrttfap^-^^ havin, ^ade better
been losing a little of the advaXa« wh.vrr'^ °® ^^n^^at. In that way Canadiana have
American cattle at Liverpool ThfLhafnoTLflTtn *^T ^^.^ ^he obligation to slaughter
field or Liverpool ; but frC Manchester we h«v«n^? T°^ °^''u^^ '" ^^"-^ '"«?«''* '» Wake-
Some of them say now 'There fs so much diff«^^^^^ *** ^« "«ed to have.
Liverpool and bujsom'e Lrr^r^^l or^SSntSklfl^d'Atri^c^rbeeft^."^ "'" ^" '°"2Jl'
SHEEP FARMING.
Bro^':!!'°^'^ advantages of sheep farming are thus tersely summed up by Professor
Fewer risks by death ;
Two crops per annum ;
Consolidating and manuring light soils •
Kich manure at all times ;
More easily kept on poor pastures ;
Less cost in buildings and winter man-
agement.
m, ,. .^ , . ;— -' Greater returns for money invested.
ever been known, it hasTithe^^efnSre l^ase o^^ complamts as the rot have
of some scandalous negCnce It may beTroadlv^taTrff
are subject to no epidemic!, nor, as a™l L any fital fo^^^^ Ontario, sheep
winter, is far lels expoLd 'to alm'osfhe'r^c" s^s tZ ifZTVl cared for in
jected to a chilly dampness that its fleecy covSin^absorb.lS' ''''T '* ' «"^-
where it is often folded in open fields kHeen in r^nd Tb r"? ''T^\^ ^'^
qmredawool not profitably grown in this count™ LTStI m Canada re-
Wucement to the/ntario fLmer to LuS tKngTo^E StLT" P^'lT
LX'rtfflL^'u Sti:,rTn fpLTeriTl"""""" '° r-^P-Ple no-
Even to-day, in ,pi?e of tl'e un^Jne'SiSTrirnte :f troliritS. ta™ Z°d"°'-
mutton of a moderate size, peonle are to bp fnnn^ Li.T JJntisn buyer for Down
steamship companies charge foSep It ner heJ^f 1 Wf ""T^ *^^*' ^/'^"'^ *^«
to ndicato what-aocording to aSView otlhe whole ev d™^ *,t SLT'^.I?''
. c- „,., ,,. „ficcp-iaiaiiig at tms moment,
sp trade of Canada, outside the domestic demand a««„moc, +!,«.. a:..-....
Ti,„ „i, ,"~j ",7; "'"V"'"' "'' '''^'^'^1^'^"""*^ a^ ^nis moment.
? majle better
anadiana have
I to slauffhter
pact in Wake-
used to have.
II go down to
idure, but it
IBS Canadian
xperience of
of cattle to
1 the whole,
ue of such a
by Professor
atures ;
inter man-
ivested.
Jd for sheep
'ear, during
g on a large
3ssedly well
i them from
he rot have
r the result
;ario, sheep
And that
he frequent
oroughbred
ly raised on
ool-bearing
can be too
ared for in
•e it is sub-
; resist, or
8 of sheep
r, Lincoln,
he Merino,
fc trade has
Canada re-
)d a strong
For mut-
people, no
ass or not.
' for Down
ecause the
feed large
itely settle
missioners
irue policy
Be distinct
with the
GENERAL FARMINO-FOREION DEMAND. 243
FOREIGN DEMAND FOR THOROUGHBRED SHEEP.
HiU^'S!unVof*Yo^k?rayr-'^^ " '^^^^'^"^ «^««P' ^^- »-««"' ^^ ^^ich^ond
at tw5rndp\Trh?ws1ir5a^^^^^ 'T^ into Canada, and have taken prize,
I sold off all but the'co^swff fimline ihevTa^^^^^^^ and Cotswolds ; but rffewyeara ago
fitable. My principal market ia the ifnif J Sf „^ "?" *'?»«t'*"«"n«. and were the moat pro-
1875 I sold all my ?ear?ing ri el^ht of i!^^^^^^^ ^^'^ year I sent fifty to the States. "^In
my own raising at $300 pef pa™."' ^ ^ ^^^"^ ** '''' ^^^'"'^^^ "^ ^^^^ a head. I sold ewes of
He adds as follows : —
Stetea^TSd7ing^fr*^^^^^^^ '^'}^?^^ "P -various parts of the United
American continent w'rbrraLefalon/thenoJfhPir"" t^?* t^e^best. stock rams for the
that there is as suitable a soiSclimatf smith of fh^l^Tr ""^^^^ 9"*u^'^\°- , ^ ^^ »"' Relieve
has more lustre than the Cotswold Of om 1. r„f ^^^\ ^ ^^ "°* *'^'"'^ ^^^ Leicester wool
the quality of their fleeces bnnh«A^ J \^ Cotswold breeders could very soon improve
than\uali!y, anTtheTofit'toVh'e\tXTt*o^te^^^ -'^^* °^ '-™
Mr. Snell, of Edmonton (Peel), says :—
tucZs hSfbfen'o^r" ei'cu'sitS and" t W arf v^v^^* ^ ?°*T^'^ ^il^P' ^he Ken-
wool, making that a specialty and we hnvf K.^t® very particular about the quality of the
that marketl and I XsatSXlrt in IL iLt t^^^^^^^^ ^'''1°"'' '^'^'^ *° ^"'* ^^^ *^«t« «f
ment in the quality of the wool There ia 1 nfff^tn ^^^""^^^ have made a marked improve-
parts of the same abeep There is a tendlnv tn In ^ '" **"? ^"^1'*^ "^ *h« ^"°I ^^ different
objectionable. The fir^t place where our ^.nf.f^t T"^ °" *^^ ^^'?^^- ^ '=»"«^'^«'- t^^^^
thigh, and if theyfind pretty g^Sr^vooTtWeS^-,^^^^^^^ ^°i^ ?/ a sheep is the
.... We also supply Cotswolds for \bTw.!L^^^^
well as Kentucky." ^ ^ ^"tswolds for the Western States-Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, as
Mr. P. W. Stone, of Guelph, says :—
time?ak™ hadTicesTefs!' I'litTeep^herfor t^^'^ """^ Southdowns at present ; at one
Pref7coi7d"."TSrth™Vn a.Rreat manyof the American buyers
$25 a head. Mv reason for turning mv at wInn r^ "'"^ ??"* Southdown sheading rama at
ia that there seems to be a growhS demand f or th J^ of P^'-*'°"l*rly to the Southdown lately
ency in the direction of a flllinroff in the demand fn?^ u''P- .J *c^^°^ '^^'^ '« * *«°d.
assured by American buyers that therrwillThor«vhp^^!'^V'^ the States. _ I have been
Downs for the nnmoaa of -.-n-Sn^ -^r^Tv-T ^***''^V^ V ^ ^^''^® demand in their countrv for
TI,J» -^ " "" •" ^j- "7^"^ ^^ *"«= long-wools they have been importing." '
for SS tto^rhbreSt.Tswow'^and Le^', '"T if » 5°""""' ""^ """^ «<'""«"»
,i«^^f"n
944
ONTARIO AORICVLTUBAL COMMISSION.
FOREIGN TRADE IN LAMBS.
Wg^on'^^wiTelK ll"i',1f ^u'f «»«'"\»f ?™"<'«"'l'ly, although alwa,. a
ne£e,g^eI&n'^g:;itthtt.Ktar^^^^^^ ^— *•
Mr. James Donald, of Dalhousie (Lanark), gays :—
Lanark, Renfrew and Carleton Purchases extend over portions of the counties of
Declw.Tpio^ Stmas'^^'^ie ftSe^s'^^'e h"''- *'^-'^*'":^^ 'V n^^^' November, and
several other shippers Ses rnvself Th« ^1 t ^'"""'"^ to alter the lambs. There are
last year. The buyers would D?l«!Lnf ™i "^"^ connected with shipped 32,000 head
ewe fambs than for ram lambs.'^ * P""""* """"^ ^°'" * '^^^'^'^ shipment of 'wether or
The range of prices, it will be observed, is verv wide— from 9a f.^ «i7 r.^,. i, ^
Mr. Kawlings, of Forest (Lambton), says :—
lamb7'rs?nr th\^"'l^rU^^ country and the United States in
becomes colder the trade wiK a lltt e h^fpr Tf ' ''"* Jl'^^ »» hopes that as the weather
.o «u .h™ ,a„K we .„ wnit:'rauvsi?^r«,ris«,is '£=pTJ
Mr. Simmons of Lobo (Middlesex), remarks-—
keep'SosVo™^l^^tn thi^'^reT^ Sold" "rt^TTX "' ''''" ^^"^^«- ^hey should
be worth close upon $5 for tL twoTears and if thpv JZ^^'Vlf ^^ Tu'™ P'^'Pfi"^? I'^P*' ^""^
about $7, so seli lambs at asTs aS ?oss to the'^frr^'er^' *^'''' '^^'^ ^^^^'^ ^""^ P^^^^P^
he ^'s-''^''"' '^ ^'"™°^* (Wellington), is pointing at the same practice when
the m. " "8^tT^anrfrrrr?sKrS& ''""^^ ^^''^ *? '^v.^^P ^^« ^^-^s longer than
lambs, „ad they wiH be coSled to do^t So lont°«f H ^^""'V^""^ ^I'u^" ^^^^^ '^'^^^ *« «ell their
^ould keep their coarse Ss and turnin? iTK^ f'^^ continue the same system. If they
opintn W;."pSinson' 'H:taf s -^ ^^^^^^^^ ^^ *« -*-*- « very similar
lamSromfc"o tHI." We wouW gTtlftor' t£m' wf^^.^^^ ^^^ «^«^- ^e get for
course, we have to take ntoa^wunt the wSl w« Sf ^^f ^''f? ^""^ ^^^ ^^^^ "1^' ^n^^' «*
I think when a farmer hLg^SedsbZnnfft^ *' tl Y?" /.« *^e ^^/ense of keeping them,
until they are two^ars old a -.nH ^ P ? *u® "^^* '"'"^ '* ^""^^ pay him to keep them
the sheep^are sent t^o Englind Iuyer3 ou'^^thXTf ^^ United Wes, but Lst of
sent to tie United State!, or, if very bad sold herS" ^^^ "^"^ "^"''*^' *^« ''""^ ^'°^
TRADE WITH GREAT BRITAIN.
, In this, as in many other branches of farming ind.i«f.T- fK. orenin? of thp
SSsLrt "^hetri'l P"^?: -r --Pje-on altogetke'r "^n t^ bufiness o
sneep raismg. In the first place the taste of the people there ia fastidious, and to
GENERAL FARMINO-TRADE WITH GREAT BRITAIN. 246
command mying prices, the mutton must be first-class in n.mlifv T v, .1
rapidity with which this trado h^» „,.-.,.!„ -^ • 7 quality. To show the
1876
1877
1878
1879
1880
none
3,170
11,985
64,721
109,606
mr. nail, ot Liverpool, says on this point :—
the lis martt." Th^rstlstXo^^^ '}T± "^ '^*""^- i^^'-^ ^'° "«' ^ank well i„
rule, are sucked-out animals Some of th^mvl t^ are rams and ewes, and the ewes, as a
aesh, and the consequence is that thev arTlfXt Tf^^ ''•' "^"^ *!?"""* »«* *''«'" *» ^-^ke on
not sell well.'^ "^"^^ ""^^ "«"* **" *^>e loins, and mutton of that sort does
been sLi"ed^o'?L%Tar:: td ?hosettl7 "^"^^^^^ *r^"' ^'^^^ ^^^^^ ^ava
just the classes Mr. Hall'rs ribea X/ir'^f hfvebee\taken largely from
induce farmers to neglect '' altJr.w"" f ? • °{ ^K^^^^ t^^ *'''^'^« ^^^^ been to
^^^tr'SaS^'a^""^^ ^^^t^tenSl^ "' ''" ^" ^'^
Buyert comf to'SerSd *loi,ktt?s "of^sVer "^*" 1?' ^\V« ««".^ ''^^^^^^^ - -others,
wethers in them they walk awa?? For tt nrnLn?^ and when they find that there aie no
ble-wethersorglmLrs, thaU^] eweTthaU^I^Ta'd SaLbs" '''''"• "'*'"' -e indispensa-
And once more he returns to the subject •—
mixrd?hipli:!l?f%reTa7dTThe sa'mT fc Tenf Hh" " f 'T^ ^^^^ «-* -- -
would be, I think, a di&erence of lOsE^sT^ ^of/hir'T'* well-selected wethers, there
would have twenty buvers for thlm wV,T£ ^^ ' ^aT^ '" ^^'"''^^ °^ ^^^ wethers, and you
have all the select LyeL after the wethers' » ^"" ^""^^ "''' ^°'' ^^^ others-you would
Other shippers urge che same point just as strongly. Mr. Britton says •-
not mSLrwetTeS of t^lrTamT^fSe'tU^afetrold'^V?^ ^^T"^ ™^'^« ^ ^^'^^^ -
the price of a young rani and a wether of tL ««,^« a ' wv"'" ll*^° """*'' difference in
they begin to run around after threwes and th.t LTf ^^'" ^^^^ ^'^ ?^« '"""ths old
difference in taste can be noticed in the month nfL^f'' 'e^omes coarser and tougher. The
the better; it should brdone whiVther^e vo Ll'^ S^ ..The sooner they are castrated
Pointing very forcibly to the competition the Canadian shipper always has to
face from the other side of the boundary line, Mr. Thompson says ,_^^^ ^^^ ***
"The trouble here is, that, like our cattle vou cannot miVa „r^ o 1 1 ^ . .
having all sorts Wethers are worth about one cenrper poun We than w«^L^"f '''*^"*
now. As the markets are to-day we could not pav 4 cents oTll.t! f ^^^ ^."J" ^^^®l'
think 6 cents would be about the highest we could pay, unless t^iev were shinnl/'*^'"', -^
the spring, and we could get a select stock of wether^^when we m?ht pay 7 cents."'' """"^ '"
Mr. Simmons makes just the same complaint. He says, as between a ewe and
a wether of a given weight, there would, in favour of the wither, Zll diZence
in price, and, if a cargo could be obtained of all wethers, the d^-fference woild be a
cent a pound more. loni^o vruum oe a
Mr. Thos. Oovonlock, of Seaforth, a large shipper, says :—
"Mutton brings a little better price than beef in EntrlanH tTio^o .•„ *
for the meat of Southdown sheep.NhereTs a difficutylrgetti^ru^hT^^^^^^^^^^
ONTARIO AeaiOULTUBAh OOMUlSStOH.
StaS' fayB"-""''^'^' ^^''"^^ ''^'"''^ *" *" * ^^''S" ^"J'^'' ^^ '^'"bs for export to the
I shoulrl
"A great loss accrues owing to the farmerH not making wethers of fl,«,-r 1o.v,k
say the tlree counties lose over JIO.OOO a year by this meaae/'
Mr. Albin Rawlings is equally earnest on this point. He says —
think OnTa7ilfiB'los^i„KV'a"d"oliira'Lrl'^erer^^^ V' "^™^''- J
United States. They have not a back on them and^n fact thev ar« nLtl '^ '" PTV^^ "'" ''"'
seasons of the year, and they are ncarcelv fit for ?ahl« .,?« tJk "^"^^ "nsaleable m some
to have the tails cut off and have them alt«r«rf a ? ^" .^"^ns [^mbs I would prefer
breeding purposes I don't object to it at all If he ^we Z/haH t '7 ''f '?"' ^«" "^^'^ ^°'
pound less valuable." ^^® '^^^ "*'* ^'*™^'' "'le is about a cent a
.11 'f^„«,T'"*"^ the British market, then, it may as well be understood, once for
z:s^:^-^'^^^^ r ;!ir-^-^ ^--' ^-^ now^i/Ltty^
Theil'^ no"!Shin7to"bthlfin tanftrnl^^^^^ ?" 7?'"*f four-year-old mutton,
lots of young sheep so!d in the LoudrSSTpoolTa^ vear'^.^d *"f'*^- '^''jr f.'
at from three pounds to three pound ten per W." °""^''®*' °"« ^^^"^ a^^*^ » ^^^ months old,
beTin^")'"""'"'" "' '" "'"' '"^'''' ^ "" "■» ^8-«^ «' what blrSL,:
■^ARIY MATURITY.
Of the Southdown, Mr. Stephen VVhite says :—
" The Iambs mature earlier than those of tho lurger breeds "
Mr. Stone, of Guelph, say-i : —
"As to early maturity, a great deal depends on how you feed your sheen W« r1. «„f
have munh disease among sheep m this country Wp hav« vZa fkl i . f P" v.i . ? °"*
Southdowns ; we have not paid, or required to oav ihJ ^ft2,i ^^X^^'^K^^'"'^^^^ ^'^^ **'e
others. I think the Southdowns are ?he besS nS.'^ '''"' ^ ^^'"^ ''*'*' ^'^ '^''^ *» '^^
Mr. McCrae, of Guelph, says :—
Southl'^n ZdteaJri5otounr» " '"^'^ ^" ^^^^^ '"*'""*y- ^' "^ ^^ "^^ I think the
Mr. Paikinson, on the other hand, says :—
piv2?;3b^^4h:ff bXbr'£ :#HSHr
laiubs, along with six ewe lambs, for 874 • that is T^,? «% nn^^?. } February I s.;!d these
S7 00 « Di»e° f"- thfi - — I m" ' -, ■ '^°'*''.'''' -"^ ^""^ *^"'^ apiece for the wether lamhs. and
9i.vi, - pisc Ik., cne ctTcS. iucy were aDouc exeveu moatiw old." "ij — , auu
OBNEEAL FARMINO-PREFERENGE FOR DOWN MUTTON.
247
Professor Brown sayg :
earliTratuSL* VdlH^'^reUlr t^^^ • • • In
Down croHH. and the «K,weVt is thT(ttHwold" """' ^""*»'''»^» °'°''«. L^cester cross, okford
likefyt'lfe 3duct:d "^S w'^H ll'the'or'e j'"' "'T^''^''^^ «^°^"'« oxpcrimonts are
tors must be awarded he tS Xce iZZZ Z^'^T'' ^.7 *"1'^''"' ^" ^^^ L«i°«»-
extent as to prej udice the Do wns If in otT'l^^r r^Ti ^^^^'''''^^ ""'' *° «" S'-e** »»
for shipping purposes. ' ^^^"^ "'P^^*« ''^"y »™ *"""<! most desirable
PBBFKRENCB FOR DOWN MUTTON
aidel'd;X^r^:;f;irittt^^^^^^^ ^'^z^-^''^'' -' ^-^'^-^ ^- ^^- - ^^ -.
at thljaTof th: aXS: and ^rtC iToSVre v"°' ^V'^JS «" *ll« -""^ «** *" ^ they look
also they do not like the white-fS- thev wanTO ^'?.l^.^^"''« ^^^y ^'^'^ ^^at. In laX
lintchers sometimes leave the Soothe C of the oTZl*'' ***? '1'"'^'" P^ ^^^ ^"^^^ «" thTm!
they are because if they have ^oJ\XZtXZZr.:'X:^i:^^^^^^^ -^'at
Mr. Brilton «dd> on this point :—
tot »;iS,l''\7lSf bSS fflff^",Il'".^ "if "-"""y "' "» »■>.« i. th.
Ii,.m hlMk.f««l ,Mep to hi, ™Sr"' ' ^ "™''' ""' "'" «»r"imK •!« but mutton
'"xtt"!' 'T ""'^ '■-''» -d°'t:E:;^ir!;^^^^^ ^
» Stl.Trur,;S;£th\"iiV„'u^^;SS" ^'■" ^""'' " -^^^-r^hT™"
the EnguIh'iK»~" ^"""f """""^ '""■ ™ »»• "> 76 lbs. are the best eta for
to£i,«i3n7;:i%';£',-ars
•■Thi\e'Jt'x'^;™e\'^^cwdr,i:tt'r^^. ""^■"■•"■j^ •"-"■ "»' -y—
tionable in the EngliX nSet ^tLre is 1', tv of W '*• T?."' ^"»^* ^°"1'» ""^ ^-^ ob£
dressing 100 lbs There is not much differet^n the me'^^^^ "^j''^' *" ^" ^°i">^
Such a cross as I have mentioned would stand o-r clim ft« „" , I'u ^eicesters ar.d Cotswolds.
cross would be a black-faced sheep. TLreTn^L, hi W ""'* ^^^yj^''' «?«»' rapidly. The
character better than a thoroughbred fem^e" °"*'^ thoroughbred conveys its
Mr. Hall says : —
^,<>^^^pIrllLT.:^^^^^^^ & Co.. hadalot of Shropshire
Downs did not weigh so heavy as the LiSns bvTv« nn,, V*™^ "!5™*°»^. '^^^ Shropshire
people there early to buy the Shr.mshi^es but i^ th» ^f?""^' * '^T^^''- ^^ere were a dozen
plored people to take the LincolnsK ten^Sngs fess thl'^hT'^n/^^ ^^^^'^ «°d im
^!:!!^ll"4!lV ^''•'"V ^ ^^ '^"'^ think there irs!frv«.!'S.ritl".!f4S?,f'-°Pfire^
""psiiirt; wouia cross wonderfully well with'vonrr"i.C" * = -:SS,uie as ihe anropshire.
« . mutton yldiu, .beep ; but the ^^^,Tj[^'^ri. life' i'^.'^'^lf^t^
248
ONTAHIO AORIGULTURAL COMMISSION.
nearly the Hame type a. tho CotHwol.Ij,. If y,,,, were t., une the Hhn.pHhire ram for oroMin*
with LeiceHtera „r g..o.l jfra^le nhee,., that would ,.nnliice just the mutton we want." *
Mr, Hftll ftUo refers to the Morinos. He aayg :—
"We are K«ttinK large numhen, of Hheep from the Tr.ute.l HtateH. They are Hendiuir u«
from that country a very «ne clan, of Merino, and Homo othern, but prinSuy mS m I
havo Heon Home of them weighing »J0 and 100 poundn. They are verv ri.w ami foil .fV./
They are not profitable meat for the butchern, 1 eing too full of fat and therarrlnrtof « .
Ca«a.l ann rank well with the Amerirann in r^gard'^to their capacity frtm^
gmnl dftHS of Hheep, but they do not rank with them in regard toH,.ndin.f wethern Th« 4hi r
?el"a ve;y"p!.;r.l^rw.:^'^ '"''^ "'«'"•• " ^"^ ^^'^-^ *^- Bhrop»w^?te LeS£';j'u
w^^i'V;*'"*' *?r^r'*J' **'f principle, recognized by everyone whose opinion is
worth having, that the foundation for a profitable trade must bo secured by the use of
thoroughbred male animals alone whether sheep or cattle are in question, the points
particularly to be obtained in a sheep for the British market, are-first-it mSst bo
a wether, or owe never used for brecnling ; secondly-it must be an animal that will
mature early ; th.rdly-it must have the Down stamp upon it-black face and bllck
legs ; and-ourth-it should bo of about 140 to 160 pouids live woigL It "s almost
unnecesary to say that it luust be m good condition, for the farme?who studies tie
wants of hiB customers, so far as the several matters above mentioned are concerned
win not be ikely to neglect so essential a particular as feeding carefully and liberally'
We want, says Mr Hall, 'mutton that is lean-plenty of flesh-juicy mutton
rme and lean," and then he gives his test of the sheep he handles in Buch^numbei
T J' ^" examining a sheep most people touch him by spreading the hand across the loin« • hnf
I choose them by touching theni with the ends of the fingers in the middl^of the lo ns and I
can then tell in a moment whether there is flesh there or not." '
The Down stamp or type being the one to be chiefly cultivated for the British
market, does not of course involve the sale to the shipper of either pure-bred Downs
or of crosses exclusively between Down breeds. All that is needed is that the
Dovm characteristics should be predominant. Of the three varieties of Down
the Southdown is the smallest The Oxford is a breed of only some thirty-five years
standing, obtained originally by crossing a Hampshire Down ewe with a Ootswold
ram, and then the issue of that cross with a Southdown ram-the "topping off"
with the Southdown being particularly attended to. How far the Oxford Downs
may possess the merit of prepotency is not very clearly brought out in the evidence,
the fact being that the Oxfords .^re little known in Canada. Mr. Clay, of Bow Park
whose acquaintance with the Oxfords is that of an English as well as a Canadian
farmer gives the Oxfords on the whole the preference, agreeing at the same time
with the other witnesses as to the size and character of the sheep required for the
Oxford" He'^sa -^^™^ **" ^^ confident, too, of the transmitting power of the
^hJ\7!^l?''^f'-U^ "°* * pure-bred sheep to begin with, but it has been bred so consistently
that It now gets the name of being a pure-bred sheen, and the best proof that it is so is that
it IS used to cross upon animals that are not pure-Lred, so as to improve them. The great
objection to the Sout"hdown is its want of wool. It is an Important item to raised consideS
fleece of wool m this country, and the Oxford Dowri has the fullest fleece of all the Downs."
Mr. Benson, although not speaking very confidently, leans to the use of the
Oxford or Hampshire Down in order to obtain size.
Mr. Rennelson, of Gait, has found a cross of the Southdown and the Leicester,
or Ootswold successful. He says : — '
" I have crossed Leicesters with the Southdown, and the result has been excellent. Bv that
course I have obtained a greater weight than in the Southdowns. I have thus obtained almost
f..wJ^'^1!P ^' *''" Leicesters. I think, however, that the Southdown crrssesSter on the
Leicester ; this cross gives more wool, and I do not see but they are equally as good in other
respects. The sheep are more apt to be bare of wool when the cross is with tKekester •
Llrl'^S^a^ryt^ngt^oSetsT^^^^^^ ''' '^ '''''' '""''^ ^^^^ --« --^' ^^-* aB^-ThtL'
Mr. Andrew Elliott, of Gait, whose object is chiefly to raise mutton, gives the
in for orouinn
wit."
tre nendlnt; utt
y Merinos. I
1(1 full of fat.
short of flesh,
to England iv
. The Shrop-
Leicester you
) opinion is
jy the use of
ti, the points
—it must bo
nal that will
56 and black
It is almost
> studies the
i concerned,
nd liberally,
licy mutton,
3h numbers.
OENEBAL FAIiMING- PREFERENCE FOR DOWN MUTTON.
240
on
ll.« Loictor. ' ' '" "^ ""■ f"^'" "'"»"" »' 'ho S„uthdo.n ol
^~Z ^^ l^;*:^:.;^;!!^' ''- '-'' ''- -- «' ^ ^--^-a south-
Mr. R<,bort L. Macfurlaue, of Ramsay (Lanark), says :-
-■nt we .Zle? '"it^r^'^'J'::^^^::^::;^^'*^^^^^^^^ ^he first improve.
imt other breeds bec.v.ne po/ulur, and thrHoXlown'bluid'r^^.oSdlS^^ '"'^ '» -"•
Mr. Stone says :—
^^'n;^'^:sttM t : j;t'*l?a1rh,nl„^?:iif .ir^'*- ^ r''"^v'« ^'^-'^ '- *»'« "i^
k-lleve that ...mel)ody shouKl ivlVavs 1 e ,, m^^^^ "'"'" ,^ «'■'"•«,•,"• Leicester ewo ; but I
t...^r;d Lincolns ie all ^^^^^^ ^^Tk^Sir:'^^f;l^J:a''S^
whof;K>^i;;^a::vin«''thet„'fm!r f".?*^ ''^'*^""^^^ "« *^« ^««^ «heep on the
u.xportation ho says^-I """''" '^""'^ "^ ^^^ ^•^""*'-^' b»t in reward to sLep for
yf the cott.VhroS't;Zl\n'S:rSVvl"T I'"" '^'""'"^ ^.'•'*' ^^e common stock
.0... a cross of the Southdown witT. th ' I iveV.'r The"^ IZ T'" ^7* ']}" 1^^* aethers
lireeds m early maturitjv At a year ohl I thrnk Hu. ^ , f . . '^""thdown beats all the other
and fifty pounds. I don't think the Oxf r,l I I. .^.""tl'down would attain one hundred
the commori stock of the c:S>* By'Sj r^ t^o d t' ^j'^V^^^^^^^'^ «»'««!' to cross with
.jl.tam a bettor animal for e.xportati.mtC f.v u^ hi Z(!f\T^^' ram I think we could
desirable that the breeds should be ket)t Zh'nnf rl i i . ' ^^"'^"' ^ think it decidedly
a Cotswold one year, a Leicestl'tle'^ l^rrlmi^^adSr ^^^^^^^ ^' "-«
"Thf^^ll';^ ^""^P''' *^"' "•'"''**^« ^^'^ ''"^^^ "f his observations :-
market thanThto.rwold!' 'Ee "t'ffbt'rat Th 's'^^t l""^« '"i'^^^ - *'- K»^^l-h
although you don't get so heavra carcase rom^Ll^ Southdown makes the finest mutton,
^'enerally shipped by the head There wonl^rhp ,n ^'".'",^'•""1 the Cotswold. as they are
Shropshire. '1 like^the Ox nl When I las n t' ''T"^ ^^ '"T''^ V^^ «*" 0,Kford or a
the west end, I noticed that he nheen L^azir in^fc ''^""' ^"f""'"''.'"^ through the parks of
with some of the Downs. I asked if thev aU L 1: 1 f ^""'^ ^variably half.T,reeds, crossed
•^7 '^^^^^ the different ^^L:^:^^;^^;^^^^ ^^S^ r^li^l^S^'fi'
I jl
consistently
ia so is, that
The great
considerable
e Downs."
, gives the
imun.ls to the (luarter. A cro.ss oT a ' L'rarir'^w« \v;'X ''";?y .'^^"""i weigh more than twenty
months old, and weighing twentv-two and t h^lf . ," ,^^!f «ter ram, if shipped at fifteen
hiKh a price as a dark-faced E,.Ther^St ^}! '"'""''' *" *''" '•"^''ter, woulJl not bring so
l-ice if you get a sheep of neSn wei 4t and 3itv '" ^Wl"^ J"^lf-I'«nny <Ufference in^the
fatted long-wooUed sheep to the "nlnm^^^^^^^^ von .Ln^ "n ^."V take one of these well-
^imp y a lot of tallow. \t might vei-h about 130 no?^) f^" W ^°^n'»tton, because it is
saleable. The Leicester an.l Co awSLenrre wl?^ "^ '^""""' ^'"* **^" '""tton is not
-her take the Leicester. because^l';;^^Ki;::'Si^=lffi;;^;::-,J -^-^
Mr. Anderson, of Paslinch (Wellington), says •—
croJdi5'h7]^ftir:.n1am'''"S';i;:itTr^risXtstir^^ °^? """''' '^^ '^^^^ '^^- -
nun on a grade Leicester or Cotswokl ewe wild vpi^h if f *' ^''^ f/"l"^ "" Southdown
ami if you fed them with grain fro thrtime thev 1;. 1 two years old, 80 to 100 pounds;
1<10 pounds. It is only very receXsince thlhltZ nU T^^'l u''^"^ "^"."''^ ^o up to 1.50 or
Imtchers decidedly ,,refer Southdown mutton Vn^nvn.u'''' '"L"!?"' ^*« «"t into demand. The
can get it ; I don't know XS^E charlo ?he?r nn'f"^ they want the first cross if they
■uutton, but I don't think they do I Yave tTihite, « .?;^*T'''' *'7 ™°''*' ^i'' ^^'""^ '^^^^ "f
have taken the first urize at thP p;nv;n4l! 4m"" f"" laff^ "^ ''^P' ^ '^''^'*' "•"^*' ^
250
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
Mr. Thompson says : — "If we were to cross the Southdowns with the Cotswolds
or Leicestera we would have a hardy sheep, quite large enough. "
Mr. Geary, of London, approves of crossing Leicesters or Lincolns with the
Down for the British market, but does not express a preference for either one of
the four Down varieties.
Mr. John Black, of Fergus, thinks at the present time the most profitable sheep
for wool and mutton combined would be a cross of the Leicester with the South-
down ; but that might change with the demand for wool.
Mr. Hall of Liverpool, who, as already remarked, speaks as a dealer in sheep,
not as a breeder, says : —
" Southdowns deteriorate in the north of England, in Scotland and in Ireland. In Ire-
land they use mostly the Shropshire Down for crossing. The Oxford Down has not been very
much used. It is larger than the Shropshire. It would not be too large for our market.
With us, if you have quality and size combined, you will find plenty of demand. It would
not pay you to send us pure Oxfords, but cross the native sheep here with the Oxfords."
The idea that the Southdowns may be a little too delicate for this climate is dis-
pelled by experience. The Southdown, as its name implies, is a south country
sheep, and, as sheep are kept in England, might very likely sufl'er from the driz-
zling rains, cold, damp winds, and clammy mists of the northern portion of the
United Kingdom. The hardier Shropshire is very likely a better sheep for these
nngenial experiences. But mere cold, with a dry atmosphere, tells for nothing,
and no fear need be entertained of the Southdown failing, with ordinary care — the
same care that all sheep are entitled to — to stand an Ontario winter as well as the
best. The Southdown is much more plentiful in Canada than the other Downs.
It is a lively, " chunky," active sheep, very well adapted for rough lands or a
hilly region, but thriving anywhere. Without, therefore, in the least discouraging
the use of the Shropshire, Hampshire, or Oxford Downs, where it may be deemed
expedient, either from convenience or in order to keep up the size of the tlock, to
employ them, it is to the Southdown the farmers will i^robably be induced first to
look, so far as the male animal is concerned, to obtain the sheep wanted for ship-
ment to Great Britain. But to get size, and also to obtain the peculiar class of
wool most in demand, and respecting which more will be said hereafter, the evidence
points very strongly to a cross of the Down on the long woolled or native sheep.
What proportions of any breed may be found in the latter it is impcjssible to say.
The trace of the Down has probably not been altogether lost during the long period
Leicesters, Cotswolds and Lincolns have held the field. But it is not difficult to
perceive that, in ever varying degrees, the "'natives" have been gradually stamped
more and more with the long-wcjolled characteristics. .And, while it will be expedi-
ent for the careful breeder, in many cases, to keep the Leicester, the Cotswold, or
the Lincoln ty])e alive in his flock of ewes, his object should be, if he uses a long-
woolled ram, by judicious selection of females approximating most nearly to tlie
Down, to throw the balance in favour of the Down side. The black or gray face,
and the black legs are, it must be remembered, a necessity in order to take the
fancy of the British buyer. For the American lamb market, a fat lamb appears to
be welcome at some price or other. .
WOOLS.
The next question to be considered is that of wool. No one pretends, of course,
that the Downs give so heavy a fleece as the long-woolled sheep. As to the clip
usually obtained from the various breeds, the witnesses vary much ; a great deal
depending on general treatment and feeding as well as on individual characteristics.
It may be interesting to notice what is said in this respect of each respective breed,
' natives. "
not forgetting the
THK COT8WOLD8.
Mr. Stone, of Guelph, claims to have been the first in his section of country to
introduce the Cotswold sheep. He had, he says, at first a difficulty in inducing
le Cotswolds
s, of course,
GENERAL FARMING— WOOLS. 251
anyone to look at them, but by degrees that prejudice vanished, and now no sheen
has among Its breeders more enthusiastic admirers than the Cotswold Mr Stone
IS a man, however, who looks at everything in a most practical manner, and is no
WifK f^ now there is not so much demand for wool of the length that there formerly was
\Vith the machinery now m use, wool four or five inches lonycan be worked LwelT n^"
.•f T hi^ 5T *^' ^^'^^ *«^tr' ^? *^** ^^^^ «'• *^«1^« inches long I am quite s^isS t^hat
ILfthrt^'^fl "^"^^'I'y "^ ^°°i ^™™ * «''•»«« "f * Southdown on the Cotswold, I could com-
•' I don't t£r?hi'. ^fr^'^r'' f^"" '^ ^^^'^/"^ *^« ^'^'y ^"^••^^ ^°«1 «f th« othei breed^.
^vV„•nK^^, 1 ^u *"?:* '^'^"^^ reduces the quantity very much, I have seen some fleeces in
which the wool though not so long, was tliicker. The weight was pretty neX the same
The quantity of wool depends very much on the weight of the sheep^ ^ ^ ^ "^•
* c ■!■ he tendency of the market is at present towards shorter wool • there is a bptter Af^rr^ur,c^
for Southdown wool now than there has been for some jj^^ ?,''"^°°' ' ^'^^'^^ is a better demand
COTSWOLDS.
innr^Ji^ ^'*'"*' ^1° ^T ^°"f^«il^»3. First, tliat, no matter what the demand for. or
moroa«ng popularity of the Downs, the Cotswolds may still, even from a wool
/i„„i ' • i' P • "' , , -'"""") •"'= >->v'i.o«oiuo may siin, even irom a woo
deaers point of view, be bred to advantage; and, secondly, that the present de
niSet L'n luTtor ''""^' ^^^""^'^"^^^ '''^'''^^'' ''^'^ '^^ requirements of th,
Mr. Anderson, of Puslinch, who breeds Southdowns exclusively at the present
the
p\
262
ONTARIO AORIGULTURAL COMMISSION.
time, who gave up Leicesters and Cotswolds ' ' because he could make more money
out of the Southdowns," and whose evidence implies that, in his opinion, three
Southdowns can be kept for the same as one Cotswold, says : —
"Two Cotswolds would produce about eight pounds of wool each — sixteen pounds. The
average price of that would be about 28 cents. Three Southdowns at the same age would
average four and a half pounds of wool each— thirteen and a half pounds. This would sell at
an average of 38 cents. I have never fed my sheep for butchering, but always sold them for
breeding purposes, so that I cannot give an estimate of the difference in the value of the mut-
ton of two Cotswolds and three Southdowns. I have never had any first crosses of South-
down rams with Cotswold ewes, but my ram got among my neighbour's Cotswold sheep, and
he had some crosses which turned out to be magnificent. The wool from that cross would be
the medium wool which sells on the market at about three cents a pound less than pure
Southdown wool, and the fleece would weigh from six and a half to seven pounds. Last year
27 cents a pound was obtained for such wool, when long wool was selling for 18 or 20 cents,
and when you take into consideration the larger quantity of wool, it makes a vast difference."
So that, by an accident, Mr. Anderson proved the correctness of Mr. Stone's
judgment as to the value of the cross between these two breeds.
Mr. Watt admits the change in character of the demand for wool, but thinks a
Cotswold fleece will bring more than a Southdown. He does not express an
opinion as to the result, in this respect, of a combination of the two.
Mr. Parkinson, who breeds Leicesters, says : —
"The great demand for Cotswold sheep has been from the United States. The Cotswold
sheep have been much improved lately. What have been imported in recent years are far
superior to what were formerly imported. They are better woolled sheep and have finer
quality ;_ but from my observation of the Cotswold— I may be mistaken, but I have no preju-
dice against them — the produce of the Cotswold thoroughbreds are not so uniform in charac-
ter as the produce of well-bred Leicesters. Both flocks being thoroughbred, there would be
more inferior lambs in a Cotswold than in a Leicester flock. "
Part of the evidence of Mr. Snell, given below, has been already quoted, but
may be repeated in this connection. He says : —
'_' There has certainly been a great improvement made in the quality of the wool, although
I think there is great improvement still to be made in that respect by selecting rams with
reference to the fineness of the fleece. One of the objections to the Cotswold sheep has been
that their wool is too coarse ; but by careful selection of rams with the finest quality of wool,
and with the wool uniform all over them, yor can improve the quality of the wool very much
in the offspring. The United States has hitaerto been our best market for Cotswold sheep.
The Kentuckians have been our best customers, and they are very particular about the
quality of the wool, making that a specialty, and we have been trying to breed our sheep to
suit the taste of that market ; and I am satisfied that in the last ten years we have made a
marked improvement in the quality of the wool. There is a difference in the quality of the
wool in different parts of the same sheep. There is a tendency to grosser wool on the thighs.
I consider that objectionable, The first place where our Kentucky customers catch hold of a
sheep is the thigh, and if they find pretty good wool there they judge that it is good all over
the body. "
With regard to the comparative merits of the Southdowns and Cotswolds as
wool-yielding sheep, Mr. Snell goes on to say : —
"I kept a few Southdowns a few years ago. I am not breeding them at present. If
there was any considerable difference in the value of wool, I think it would pay well to raise
Southdowns ; but the difference between the prices obtained in the market for fine wool and
coarse wool is not so great as to make it an object to breed Southdowns, because 3'ou cannot
get the weight of fleece in a Southdown sheep that you can in a Cotswold, while there is very
little difference in the price. The difference in the weight of the fleeces would be, I think,
about foar pounds per head. A good flock of Cotswold sheep should average nine pounds of
good washed wool ; I don't think a flock of Southdowns would average more than five
pounds, if they would do that. In weight there is, of course, a very great difference. "
Mr. Snell adds : —
"The climate gives us an advantage with the Cotswolds, as it is conducive to a good
growth of wool. They fire not b'ahle to get hare on their bellies, legts. and necks."
Mr. Russell, of Richmond Hill, another Cotswold breeder, does not by any
means approve of Ciossing the Cotswolds with the Southdowns. He says : —
' ' Another circumstance which injures Cotswold breeders is the fact of shippers advising
GENERAL FARMING— WOOLS.
253
e to a good
farmers to cross their flocks with Downs, because they have more profit in handling them ;
and the wool-dealers have had more profit lately in fine wools, and for this reason complain
of the coarse wool of the Cotswold. "While the Cotswold has the name of producing all the
coarse wool, the fact is that there is not 5,000 lbs. of pure-bred Cotswold wool (Canadian)
sold in Toronto annually. The coarse wool comes principally from the Lincoln cross. I am
not prejudiced against any breed of sheep, but will be guided by the American demand what
kind to raise.
"Should the demand increase for Downs, it will not lessen the principal demand for
Cotswolds, as there is no cross equal to the Cotswold cross on the Merino, to produce comb-
ing wool. "
Mr. Russell, it will be noticed, speaks as a Cotswold breeder only. He does
not deny either the demand for Down sheep, or the tendency in favour of medium
wool.
Mr. Douglass, of Percy Township, Northumberland, keeps both pure-bred Cots-
wolds and Leicesters. He says : —
"I generally get a clip of ten pounds washed wool from Leicesters or Cotswolds, though
1 hav a Cotswold ewe which sometimes gives sixteen pound.s. The Cotswolds give a little
more wool than the Leicesters, and we get about the same price for the wools. The Leices-
ters of my flock are the Border or large Leicester breed. "
Mr. Smellie, of Vaughan (York), says of the Cotswold : —
"From the Cotswold I get seven or eight pounds of wool. I have alway3»been able to sell
my wool, but not a very high figure. This year after clipping time was over, I think it was
27 cents I got for mine, and last year the price was not so high. Of course if the sheep are
better fed the wool is more abundant. "
Mr. Cochrane, of KilsyLh (Grey), crosses the Cotswolds with Leicesters, and
gives his reasons, and the effect on the clip. He says : —
" My sheep are a cross between Leicester and Cotswold; Cotswold rams upon Leicester
ewes. My object in this cross was to give my sheep a better constitution. I have succeeded
'" Sf**i"S a better constitution and in making them hardier. For the past six years I have
not had a weak sheep in the flock, or one troubled with any disease. I have now a good, com-
pact, stout sheep, improved both as to its size and as to the quantity of its wool. My shear-
lings averaged last year eight pounds each. I think they have arrived at a greater weight than
they were before I started crossing with the Cotswold."
Mr. Mc Arthur, of Ailsa Craig (Middlesex), who keeps sheep representing a cross
between the Leicester and the Cotswold, gets from 6|- to 6^ pounds of washed wool
from each sheep,
THE LEICESTERS.
Of the Leicesters there are three varieties, the original, or Bakewell, the Border
and the Yorkshire. Of these the first has probably no direct representatives now
in Ontario. Mr. Parkinson, of Eramosa, who has already been referred to as a very
intelligent breeder of Leicesters, thus refers to the characteristics of the three
varieties. He says : —
• ,"'f he small fine Leicester, which some people call the Bakewell, has been bred in-and-in
with the object of obtaining fineness of quality, but it is too tender and too small a sheep for
this country. But the Yorkshire Leicesters, for instance, in which breeders have largly re-
tained the quality and symmetry of the Bakewells, and also their feeding qualities, early
maturity, and an increased fleece of wool, are the class of Leicester sheep which I consi ler
adapted to this country. The fine English Leicester is a good symmetrical sheep, but it is too
small and tender to be a profitable sheep for this country.
" The same qualities which have been obtained to some extent by improving the Yorkshire
Leicesters are found in the Border Leicesters, only perhaps the Border Leicester does not hold
itr wool so well or carry so heavy a fleece as the Yorkshire Leicester ; but they are both good
luutton sheep, both come to a good size, and both are as hardy as any otlier long-wooled
sheei), but they are as free from disease as the Cotswolds or the Lincolns, or any other long-
wooled breed.
"The Yorkshire and the Border Leicesters are about equal in size, and there is very little
difference lietween them and thf. improvod Lincnln, Vv-hich ha- been improved by the use of
Leicester blood— so much so, that a few years ago, when Professor Buckland was "in England
and was reporting for the press what he saw there, he testified that the difference between the
improved Lincoln and the Leicester was so small as hardly to be distinguished ; and according
to Youatt's testimony, all the hmg-wooled sheep in J^ngland owe their improvement to the
Hakewell Leicester,"
Mf^
i-i
254
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
The fine sheep of which the accompanying plate is an illustration, are of the
Border variety, and from the flock of Mr. Wm. Whitelaw, of Guelph.
Mr. Parkinson also mentions an incident referred to by a well-known author
showing how greatly judicious selection, independently of any out-crosses or new
blood, may affect the race and breed. He says :—
" A man in-breediiig has certain obj ects that he aims at, and where he has material enough
to select from, he is able in the course of a number of years, even by breeding from the same
original Hock, to produce quite a distinct character. Youatt gives an instance of two men
who, there was no doubt, both bred from the Bakewell stock ; one aimed at getting large size
and a full Hevice, and the other aimed at symmetry, which is generally accompanied by a small
animal ISeither had any out crosses, and each succeeded in giving the character to his flock
which he aimed at, although there could be no doubt that they both had come from the Bake-
well stock.
It matters not for any practical purpose whether selection only, or an infusion
at some date or even more than once, of Lincoln blood, may have made our Leices-
ters what they are. Either the Yorkshire or Border Leicesters have all the char-
acteristics of a well-established breed. Mr. Parkinson's are the Yorkshire variety
which he thinks approximates more to the Lincoln than to the Border Leicester'
He describes the difference as follows : —
" The Yorkshire Leicesters are darker coloured on the head than the Border Leicesters •
they are shorter in the neck, and they are better filled up in what we call the collar, that is'
where tlie neck joins the shoulder, and the neck never rises so far aljove the body as it does
in the Border Leicester ; the neck is more on a line with the back. The Yorkshire Leicester
is also, I think, a little fuller or more sprung in the fore ribs. Its fore legs should stand
wide apart, and it should grow the wool nearly down to the knee. While the wool of the
Yorkshire Leicesters is not so thick set they carry it closer up about their neck, and more
underneath than the Border Leicesters."
It may be taken for granted that in all cases where Leicesters are mentioned in
the evidence, one of the two last-named varieties is referred to.
In regard to wool Mr. Parkinson says : —
"The reason why Leicesters do not keep up their wool so well as some other breeds I
think, is this, that mutton sheep are valued more highly in the old country than here and'it
is generally found, by sheep men, that a sheep carrying a comparatively fine and li<'h't fleece
will fatten faster than a sheep carrying a coarser and heavier fleece, and as there is'niore dif-
ference in the old country between the prices of wool and mutton than in this country they
have not regarded the loss of a little wool as being an offset to a sheep that would fatten
quickly and come early to maturity. I think that the improvement in the Leicesters has
been largely owing to the breeders pursuing a different object from what was followed imme-
diately after Bakewell's time. Bakewell. who originated the Leicester bret .i of sheep in the
middle of the last century, attempted to get a sheep that would mature early, without regard
to size and weight of fleece, and breeders afterwards sought to obtain greater size and I
think, used the Lincoln in doing so." ' '
He goes on to say : —
" About two years ago my flock averaged a little over eight pounds of wool to the fleece •
last year the average was between seven and eight pounds. If I made wethers of my ram'
lambs, and had as many shearlings as I had breeding ewes, it would increase the average
weight of thb wool, because shearlings— the lambs that come early, in the latter end of
February or March— have more than a year's growth of wool, and being well fed, their wool
ke^ps on growing. I don't think the wool of breeding ewes, after they have lambed, in-
creases in weight, while the Wool of young sheep does increase in weight. I have had shear-
lings that would average between eight and ten pounds a fleece. Between seven and eight
pounds would be a general average."
Mr. Yuill, of Ramsay (Lanark), says : —
" I have been raising pure Leicester sheep for twelve years, generally wintering about
rhi'ty-five, but am now crossing them with the Lincoln, as they were getting too fine in the
wool and small injihe body. I sell them for breeding purposes to neighbours. I can sell all
I raise."
The experience of Mr. Douglass, of Percy, in regard to Leicesters, has been
already given in connection with his evidence respecting Cotswolds.
Mr. Iler, of Colchester (Essex), while stating that the Cotswolds and Leicesters
ivn author,
ses or new
sring about
fine in the
can sell all
("•■/I
:'H
I"'
ItUI
256
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
h>Mil
ftlsJ'ffi?!*^'' favourite breeds in that district, says, that, to obtain a medium wool
the Southdown is now bemg used to cross the long-woolled slieep. '
rer£.^^T::^i:L^^' ''''■-"^'- ^«-" ^-' *^^^--*- -ke '^
Mr Douglas, of Blantyre (Grey), says of his experience with the Leicesters :-
the belt refft'^t SenuSe ''f^ introduced,, chiefly the Leicester, which i. con.idere,!
Before that'l tried a c^ro" wi h" L Soi' hcbwn'' T p^\t^t,tr '"I t '"' *"^'^^ ^'^'^^
It seemed to do very well. I i ust Led one for V J. I Southdown to the common ewen.
THE IINCOLNS.
Mr'^J.din Pp^I? '^If ^^to find most favour in the western part of the Province
Mr. John Geary, of London, says of them :— luviute.
counl^^han'eiJherte CoTsSirr£"T '^"'' 'f ^ ^'V.^J^ '^''' ^'' '^^"^^ ''^'''^Pt^^l *" t'"^
than the Leicester" and S.e demand for it .^Tust a^^ooH^'^T ',''"'" ^^eir wool much better
Mr. Simmons, another western witness, says of the Lincolns •
to u^t^an L?cro'" wUh^t'"; Vrwoll*S ?' ''°1 ""''} *'"^'" ^^^ '^«-' "* "^-e advantage
the Lincolns are rather mo e .:(y than the Co't3ir'^f ".*,'""• ft' »" hardiness, I think
THE .SOUTHDOWNS' WOOI,.
References to the Southdown as a desirable cross in the present state of fhp
wool trade upon the long-wooled varieties have been alreVvery nuSous I
Thl^^'fL^" necessary to supplement them by a few more particularly iSatin.
the Southdown 's merits in respect of wool. i-uxciiiy inaicaiing
Mr. Stephen White says : —
Mr. Alanson Elliott, from the adjoining County of Essex also mpn+ir^^c +1, •
Mr Eennelson's evMenoe seems to point in the same direction, for he says •-
_ Inis last year the ■1q>v,„.,,7 e„- a.,..j.-^i , _ ' '^ •
'ear the demand for Southdown.s was very laive T snl,l .,11 T n«„i 1"
tor lams .^ trom %.^0 to »-)0 per pan; for ewes. My principal market for t!
it om Slf) to i-<rj{)
is just in our
■ \, v — ' 1"" '■"'^ uwcB. iviy ijrmcujal market tor
Mr. Rennelson, of Gait, says • —
medium wool,
cester make a
Leiceaters : —
:cli is considereil
lit twelve years.
i common ewes.
ey were getting
sing a Leicester
lat made it de-
the Province.
irlapted to this
L)l much Ijetter
a large number
ton sheep, and
;h the Lincohis
:olns ; they are
1 grown from
le Southdown
try than any
is that from
to cents were
GENERAL FABMINQ— WOOLS.
257
paid for South.lown this year m Gait. The demand for this wool is for home manufacture •
we sell It to the manufacturer only. The wool produced by this cross is used iTresume fo;
hosiery work chiefly. I think it would be safe to say that slfeep from a cross of'this3down
with the common ewe of the country would, with fair feedinL^ weiLrh iVn nn, n,Y« „f «fVoi
or sixteen months The weight of the fleece might safely be called six pounds cloin w"J
Perhaps under ordinary treatment the Border Leicester is uneurpasseT arrmuttoTslTee »
hut for early maturing lambs for market. I consider a cross of the Down mu^hSter and
for feeding to extra weights the Cotswold. with his more angularfranrLSr bone am
especially his superior muscle, superior to anything else." ' ^'^^'^^^^ '^°"®> *"'*
Mr. Andrew Elliott, also of Gait, says :—
The^Se'oVi'liSt""'^ '" Southdown wool now than there was eight or ten years ago,
Mr. Peter Clark, .)f Montague, says :—
''We have forty to fifty sheep every winter. They are common stock crossed with fV,«
Southdown I have a pure-bred Southflown ram. The improvement is rnarked sinc^ I used
the ram. We get about five pounds of wool to the clip, taking the flock rS We send the
slieep to the high rough land, and keep the cows on the better land."
Mr. Macfarlane, who, for reasons already given, now keeps Leicesters only, says
of his experience with the Southdown :— "'' ^
eleven pou'n^s washed Thai w"as '. ^^ryXllrZ^^i^^.^t^^^^^ ^^PI-^
t:om that ram, crossed with our own, clipped thirteen pounds. Thejwerrixtra well fed."
to g^t^fre"?/ woof ^^'"'^^''^ ^^^""^^^ ^""^^ *^'''* *^^ bellies of the Southdown are apt
\im
l» -is-!.':
JSOUTHDOWNS.
in
268
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION
i! I
OXFORD, SHROPSHIRE, AND HAMPSHIRE DOWNS.
Mr^ Clay, of Bow Park, commends the Oxfords Downs. He says •-
Mr Benson, of Cardinal, leans evidently to the same view. He says :-
I don't knn?w"uT°Tli:7)K "".*^ 'If''^^ ^"uT ^ '^' Ha.nn.hire Do-vn,
about the Oxford Down to give al oS".n uS It but it'if ial l' "^"^ I ''"'/'^ ^"'^ ™"»"h
a .cod bulk of wool, but wlt^ther it U k"eeTit" cLt^tef- oV^t I'^don't know '^^ ^'"^. "'"'
says^:- ^""'^ ""^""" *° "" illustration he had of the value of the Oiford.' He
tatio^e'^lxLSg^rdyi^^^^^^^ manufacturers who were there as a depu-
Oxford sheep which I^a there and thev wiS.T? "L *''" '^TV ,^"'^,t'i«y ^<^^^ "r.on some
One man pointed out Te of themTnd he 'I,^ T^'<- ''""'^ ^^ ' ' "''^^'' *^'^ """■"•
.« what we want.- That.he?/wX;:r,;rcrlnr^^^^^^^
wolS!" r Whd™* *''^' ''^* *^" °^'«^-^^ '^^^ «"P-i- *« "- Leicesters, Cots-
Mr. Rawlings, of Forest, says of the Oxfords :-
SouthinvTTKfrn swtof b'lT-^^ "'" l'^^ quality much better than the
had the attribute. o7tr;"jtera! ^3^^^^^^^^^^^
had the attHbuVsoFthe .aS^a 2m%7o"„^S
so marked as were those on the female side/-
ineae attributes, however, were not
Han^/sht'Sns!'' HeTyT;-"'™^ '^'''''' ''' *^^ "«« ^' *'^« Shropshire or
Leicesirfip lor som'e'vear' ThT«hLn f '^ *° ^^^T" ^ T' ^ breeder of Cotswold and
Down sheep. The/remTdo fu^lv as wTinrf^h™'""" . "" the Shropshire and Hampshire
worth a penny a po^-^d mSre in ffionrand ?hlv?°7^7 "' {.'? ^"°^*"']' ^""^ ^^^'^ ^''^*' i^
crossing our Canadian eTes with all IWni ^ ^t^ ^"ff f'^'?^"-^- I ^oul^ recommend
etc. I prefer the ShropsWre and HamnZr; f?"*'^''^"' ^u''^*""^ ^°^'n> Hampshire Down,
cass and have more woo? which is however a m^.'^^'P' ^^?T^ ^-^^^ ^.^"^ ^ ^^^^'''' '''^'^-
the size of the Southdown Ind the sfrpshTre dS.^^^^^^ ^^'"' '' " ^'^''''''' ^^*^^«"'
MERINOS.
Merinos is Mr John ftnL^.f «„ + ^^^^t J ^ Among the persons who have bred
Mr. Giie say7:_ ' ^'*^'*^ ^^''^''' "«^ * ^^^^ successful aairy farmer.
able a^ti:S foHafsf^^g rj^^lle Tee^arrN^^^^^^^^^ ^« - ^-r-
^"'" W thfotj' ^r^'^'^''^ ^^"^'^ -ou'ld prove usl. an! ptti'taT^.'' ^^ ^«--* --
attentSn todairy'/ilg!."' '"'"""' ^^"^ down. I abandoned ^sheep raising and devoted my
andTep breldS: "\\"wTnowT:'* ^^L? '°T''''^ ""'^ "^^ ^^^ ^-^ ^--ers
ganufact^^^^^^^^^^
f^rl r l&rd^rh " ir^'r^P^"' °' ^r'- •^"^'^"S bothlnScanaSn'":
dre^^ElSt of\ W^^^^^^^^^^ SrstnerioSmS^^ri *'^ '^^^T ^^^ ^"-
tensive woollen manufactWers. wSlT^^ '*'"? P 'T ' *"'" *^^-
time, Mr. Hallam says :- ^ demand for wool at the present
iportant item to
be fullest fleece
vys :—
inpshire Do-vn,
't know euoui,'h
irye sheep with
•
Oxford. He
here as a depu-
ime u[)nn some
3ep they were,
of it, and that
)ininon sheep."
cesters, Cots-
letter than the
'd ram. They
ever, were not
hroi^shire or
Cotswold and
id Hampshire
their meat is
d recommend
pshire Down,
a. heavier oar-
ence between
rmerly some
> have bred
itiry farmer.
3an war they
d well. The
is as favour-
agement was
devoted my
3en farmers
rohants and
Mr. Jolin
tiadian and
Mr. An-
ce, are ex-
;he present
im wools in
underwear.
OXFOED DOWNS.
i^l
11
•^ n
HAMPSHIRE DOWN SHEEP.
jii
360
ONTARIO AOBICULTURAL COMMISSION.
we
11
He adds : —
delainepurpoJif 1'hl*ffs^^l^^^^^^ is chiefly for what ia .ailed medium long wool« f,.,.
count o/ it«' length tLlllr^L^ZT wLlTJ'^^^^^^^ *" '^^ "i""' ••^t^«'•oughbred8. ,.„ ac
for medium /ool I mean thl wn^l ^ ,, , . ^ *^a* /here is a demand in the United States
which will Kve the ^Ta luHtr n ' ' U ' TT "^ T''^ **"^ .''"""^^^ """^ * thoroughbre.l
iliarity ,, „„t so gr«»t will, breed, of sheep a. wS fMr Drodno? h t hi.
correct wtriit'a;^!!^^"^'^^ ^'^^ ^^-«*-' ^^ Hallau. i, however, probably
in dZanjiVth^Cot'wd.f^'X'^ ltl°7 "^ medium w-ls, the Leicester wool was m,>,,
ir.oogoo,l.s, impaSs a lustre ; the manXc^^^^^^^^^ } ""^•^''^^^'l ^^ when manufactured
wool ; it is also more eSn staDle s , S ,<?1^^ a greater extent than the CctswoM
50,OOoT<a":fG'eSS"S""imiirf "„r^^ T^*'"^' ^'^.^^^^^ "^^"^ ^ ^^^'^t
der, soft, and l.ulkv Whl" wp ni^?) i AT i "■ '^out'i'lown wool, but a little more ten-
one. Some blanfi hav^a l^lavy l^d wei^'hrwi^il.' %y"'' k"'^^ ^'•"^-""* ^ h''^^^' *'^*'<
I bought it for ^^^^Z^S^^:=i;^^:?;^i:^^l^^ and pure.
aWdvrtmrri'fl''""'''i''T°''^"^^y ^ *'^^ ^^'''^^ '^^^ t'^e " native " sheep which as
S itLerSJ^hf J " '"''^..^ ""f ' r^*^^' ^i*^^ P'-^bably a strong Down elemon
woolsl Tr^Hd^saJs?!^'"^' ''"^ ^''«'''^ """^'^^ *^^ ^^*^ >'^^^« -^^h the lonj
KingZ^a'iKlThTilL^iVttafoH V' ?'' ^'i^*^'""' .^"^^ '^« ^« fi"d — ''
wold blood in them ..r not I nrefei to .n'S f! vT . ''" '" ' ^"""^ '^>'^""^'" ^^^y »»ave Cots-
is buiWing onT TlS wnrbT±';'fie7SvT'l^\^^'^"^'^ at present, i.,t Mr. Eosamond
be required. supplied chiefly by Australian ".ool. Some Leicester wool will
and some'oV tlfe faSer'ors^lSch'^X'Sw.'lf ^' ''''''' T ?^", ^' ^^^ ™^" 1"-^ -'"^
Our coarse wools are also largely evjorrecf"' "'" ^ *'"''^** '^'^^^ ^'^ ^^^nada coarse u-ools.
be stii? coSiT" ThtnSutli,t.rdf,LTbV"^ ^^'^^ ^'^^ ' ''T^ -"'''
£n\^ery1L5er^^^ ^^ ^ ^^^^ ^'^ «^ t-^' The ^ZSe^S^^n^-J^^^^^^-
GENERAL FARMING— WOOLS.
to a certain e.\
1 long wools for
ighbreds, on iic-
I United States
. thoroughbred,
it to comb ; a
e class of wool
r kind,
profitably, and
vool was niciri'
manufactured
ri the Ct.tswold
lol for combing
)e heavier than
le makes in-
r. Rosamond
ter wool will
261
MERINO RAM.
^,-— S!!^^^
'-■=^23ssaai^w^;5^^^3'^^^
SHROPSHIRE SHEEP,
mi
B
hSi
jp;
I
1.
^i
202
ONTAIilO AGRWULTUIiAL COMMISSION.
If
by u« S^veriTgrnair •*""' '' '^"'"" **""' *''' *'"""""" ^*"'«1'»" «"'">• l>''t the quantity re«mired
• •J'u ?®""*'* Rosamond was not in Almonto at the time of thf. CommiMionerg'
vwit, but has since, at thou- invitation, expressed his views in writing, and tht3v
very fully^ccord with those of Mr. Haliam. His letter is worth reproducing in full
Mnaf l^^uI'iM 7^^ * very limited quantity ..f Canadian wool, and that not by itaelf but in com-
hlnatlon with tine wooIh to produce certain effects.
,.uallt?"'Thr;.*'It"» ^\t^ 'hu*'* <iuantity we have great difficulty in procuring of the proper
quality Ti^e great bulk of the wo<.i grown in Canada neeins to be su table for only the ven-
roughent ami coarsest of tweeds, a fuot hardly creditable, one wouM think! to the jud«me A
"Vf^r »'"«'«"' »"V' »"« «hich h..s, in mv o,.inion, s^riouslv interfered with their profi'
wnni.lY-f'J i?™""*"'.' ^^^^ ""^ douht with nine-tenths of Cfanadian wool manufacturerH
would be gUd to use a large pronortion of native wool, could we only get it of suitable nualitv
::feLSr'a"n^crc"oL'rrd! '""^' '''''' '- ^«""''' """• '^^ "-- -'^ ^-« on'^Li.trii'^h
"Medium wools everywhere, at home as well as abroad, are in greater demand and rela-
tively bring a ii.gher price than finer wools, and, besides, a^e more Ivnily grown in Canada
and fjmte ac easily, if t am correctly informed, as are the longer and coarner sorts. '
1 feel very confi(lent, did our farmers turn their attention more t<. wools of a Southdown
character, the beneht to the c.mntry would be greater than mo«t people have any fdea of tC
Canadian manufacturers would then have the benefit of a class of wool now at all times d fficu It
o procure, an.l would be able t.> produce better au.i more saleable goorls, rea iTcanaS
ttrit.te.iri"; z'n'ii^r "■^^ ""'^ '^^ *'^« "^-""''^ ^"^ "-•^ --•« ^^^''^^' ^-*-^:
It will thus be aeon that the manufacturers endorse the opinions expressed I
other witnesses, and that, just as the market foi- mutton in Great Britain is to b.
best cultivated and assured by a cross of the Down sheep on tlie native or lons/-
wooled varieties so by a combination of the same ingredients is the medium wool
of commerce to bo best obtained. Before noticing some other matters connected
with wool production a word or two many may now be in order respecting what arc
termed not very correctly, but as a matter of convenience, " native sheep."
THE " NATIVES."
1 "•^'^® "rSj'""^"" ^* '^ ®Y^<^^'^* ^'^^^ "■ certain (luality not by any means to be
despised. They may owe it to chance, their origin being a matter of convenience
or accident, not of design or skilful management. But it is clear that, among them
are the materials for rapid improvement, by using upon them the thoroughbred
males of the variety that will best supply that of which they are most lacking. They
are not ikely to be too large, but they may either show too strong a tendency to
long wool or short wool in different cases, and the farmer should be guided in the
choice of the buck ho uses by these circumstances. One thing in all the discussion
IS most satisfactory and comes out plainly enough, and that is, not only that, in a
siiporlative sense, do sheep of all the necessary breeds thrive wcmderfully well in
Ontario but that every one of the breeds, the merits of which have been discussed
(except the Men rios which were only noticed in passing) has its place to hll, can
hU that place profitably to the breeder, and is necessary to the wool and mutton
producing industries of Ontario, while even the "native" presents an excellent
toundation on which improvements can be made.
TREATMENT OF WOOL
But something more is needed than wool of a particular character or class. And
it 18 to be feared that even the best samples of wool in point of kind are too often
.u'^n^aTih^'vl ■ ^ ^f^f c^'=j^=4«"^'is oi the producer. Mr. Haliam buys in
all parts of the Province, and has therefore excellent opportunities for judging of
OENBHAL FARMING— MANAGEMENT OF SHEEP.
263
elf but in coni-
tho manner in which farmers sot about this important branch of business. He saya
with much cumniondablo plainness of speech ;—
"Ah * rule our farmerH do not take mnn^\\ car« of their sheep, ooniienuently the wool is
full of HeedH burrH and jhaff, which lonsons Its value one, two or three couts a pound. I can-
not Hay which clasH of ^hee[> produce the most ' cot*.' I think the remedy for ' cots ' is in the
IiiiikU of the farmerti themselvHii.
''The carelesuneHH ot farmers with regard to the care of wool applies both to the Heece on
tlie Hheep and after it is Hheared. There in not Hutfioient care taken in iihearinK the fleece and
gettinsf the wool into a ho(mI marketable condition,
"I Import wools from England, Sco
, . '. - ".■•,"■■," -'Jotland, and Ireland, similar to our lambs' wool, which
hav« not a burr ur a seed n them. Your could not see a Heed or burr in 10,000 pound of such
iiiiported wo(d, but I would find 10,000 burrs and seeds in the same quantity of wool raised in
in ( anada. That arises from the carelessness of the farmers in keeping their sheep, and in
not haviijK proper appliances for keeping burrs and seeds from the sheep. It is simply owing
to slovenly farmers. tr j a
" In wool there are what are called ' rejections,' which consist of 'cots,' wool badly washed,
wool with seed in it, and w.)ol with chaff in it, and wool with burrs in it ; and about twenty per
cent, of the wool we get ni Canada consists of rejections, while, if care were taken, there
would not be two per cent, of rejections, as is the case in English wool."
There can be no reason whatever why Canadian wool should be more dirty than
Scotch wool. But Mr. Hallani goes on to say : —
" The wool I buy in Scotland is almost the same as that bought here ; I buy it because it
m free from all those foreign elements which are so objectionahl.) to the manufacturer. Last
week I bought 8,000 poimds of English lambs' wool, and I gave 32 cents a pound for it de-
livered here ; for our own wool, I would give 2i) or 30 cents-that is -bout ten per cent. less.
\Ve sort the wool mto lamb, superb, number <me, and chafty, and burry, and it ranges from
4 cents up to 29 and 32 cents a pound, and the reason that Canadian farmers do not get the
highest price for their wool is just owing to slovenly farming."
It must not be supposed, however, that two or three cents a pound is all the
tlifforence caused by this waiu of care on the part of farmers. Specimens of wool
were exhibited by Mr. Hallani to the Commissioners, deteriorated to the amount
of ten or twelve cents a pound from the same cause.
Mr. Hallam adds one more remark, to which attention may profitably be drawn,
wlien he says : —
" I cann<)t my whether the want of lustre in the Canadian wool is owing to the want of
breeding or the want of management ; but I have always found that good farmers who feed
their sheep well, have good lustre wool. There is no lustre on the wool of the old Canadian
sheep.
' The average weight of the fleeces we get from farmers who pay no attention to breeding
IS about hve nounds, from those who pay some attention to breeding six or seven pounds and
from tlnise who follow fancy breeding nine or ten pounds. We buy unwashed wools but we
take about one-third off the price when wools are unwashed." '
Good feeding, tjood brooding, and good management means, it will be seen
good wool as well as good mutton. '
FEEDING AND MANAOEMENT OF SHEEP.
The last allusion suggests some reference to the feeding and general manage-
ment of sheep.
Mr. Hobson buys lambs largely for fall feeding. His plan is described by him
as foHows :•—
" I Kf>nerally take 200 lambs and upwards for fall feeding. I feed them largely on rape
and also on oats and turnips when the weather gets bad. They paid very well last year • the
increase in price at which I sold them was about $2 a head. The average weight at which I
have sold them has been a little over a 100 pounds. The last lot I sold on the 12th December
averaged 107 pounds. The land on which the rape is raised I summer fallow, but do not
manure. Tha manure of these sheep is valuable and an important consideration in feedimr
them. °
" I usually sow the rape during the first damp weather after the haying begins, about the
tirst week m July. I sow it with a drill and ridge it, though I think it fully better to sow it
on a fiat. I keep sowing it thinner and thinner every year. T wmild not put more than thro.ii
nuartera of a pound to the acre ; the smaller quantity you sow the better. I U3ual"ly"have in
view a partial cleaning of the land at the same time.
264
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
ii
■1 ;
I
■I !
^^Mr^Hobson's opinion aa t« the profiloblcnesa of shoep feeding is valuable. Ho
and in the same season I soldi lot of over 150 8^^^ a of wW^ ? .^ '\? '''iJ'*"f' l*"^'^** '
noxious grasses from growing up Thev nihhlp «f ^ta!L^ 4.u\ ^^^ , "^ preventing
winter they cost very little -"o feed' as vou c^n fL?1 tf i ^^^\ ''T' 7""''^ ^""''"^ ' ^"^ in
You can kLp a hunied o. two sheep, and norfle t ThevTaTurtS? '*Tf ^"^ ""/''^
them on turnips, as the English farmeri dn if Ifo t.o^ i ^ I P *^ "^'^ ' ^^"^ '^ ^"^ ^'^ed
Mr Benson farms from nine hundred to a thousand acres of land, represenHiK^
some hal -dozen contiguous properties with buildings thereon. Hence WsSt
not only to keep a large number of sheep but to divide the sheep into smSl flocks
of fifty ewes to one ram-the latter kept separate from the ewes. His htatmen
of sheep m winter is m accordance with the plan of most other wTtnesses. He
feed them hay in racks, into which they can pTtheiV headV Tf wp J W V^ 'J.f '"• ^
straw, we throw it to them in the yard, and whaKhey was' > L used for bSdt'? *tT ""
the barns The thoroughbred lam"bs"a'reTev"r prt"toX\?mf bXr* ' tht^rre^onrl'^S
my lambs; I always sell t^;em'Se?er/ri4tTgoodi^^^^^^ ''"^^ ^°^ -1""^'
Mr. Benson's situation is one subject to low temperature, and therefore if the
sheep were ever in need of warm housing it would be there ^^^retoie it the
Mr. Parkinson s system of winter feeding is as follows •—
lambed I give them more turnips-twice or three tin esfdav .n inT.u \^^'^ H'*'^ ¥'''
will eat ; and in addition to that I boil some oats aLl flfvL J /~. -^ *" 1 the clover hay they
and chopped stuff, and give them two feXofthis a day/' ''"^ '^"^ '* ^'*^ ''''' ^'^J'' ^'^''
As tc shelter, Mr. Parkinson agrees with Mr. Benson He say« •—
jfore if the
GENERAL FARMING-MANAGEMENT OF SHEEP. 266
likely to take cm 1 ^,it as !oL as von k«L M • " f^■"P»''«? "» their wool, they are very
thoyYill stand the coid wife ver^'^well'' ^O^caZ^aLte initr^f't^'''") '^"'? ^^e wini
outside in the open yard where thev nrpf«rrlj k i ^.u 'V^^"*®^^ ^''^^""^^
breeder of sheep^to sTt<rtre f Sers thin 1 Jlr^'^W^'"'' '"'• *^-" '\\'\ ^ '^^ ">"«•« ^
breeding purposes." r i-mers than a feeder. I have principally bred to sell for
Mr. Motherwell, of Bathurst (Lanark), says as to wintering sheep :_
l^'^fe^^'oliZ^t'^^^^^^^ P^y better than cattle, but would
£Shtx-^.ye4i»
Mr.- l'^tl%%::^ZiI^l^ -P-- *^- -e opinion.
if th:;palt:d1rbe*'L^?e7n^r .S^^ TSiVt STul'-*r°"^^, ^ ^"-
have plenty of exercise until the lamhin^ JlL^t "^''""^' ieave them outside, and let them
S£^=!i?i^^H^Ss rS -alitor -
iSirtLrto-be^^/bb "' - "--tt£,^^^^^
and?thtnk t'h 'dSfr'lu^r H L^ive thl^r^I'?"" ^""- ^^^* ^^^ ^^ '"^^PP-l '^"-g ««,
two, but that is all. We g"ve them bran sometZi,T?i,-^t T^ ^^'^ ^^'^ '^'^ "^^ «"« "^
ewes if you allow them to lit ■. 1 thlv can Th^™ lil i ?'' *'"''''''^ *'"" '*'' ^o'' "reeding
jures the lamb. I do not g ve the'„^ grain Sy^oft'n St IZT '^''T^J^' r^^, that in-
of course feed them turnips'^and grain ('oarancrpS^anS' Wt ifurttem '" •'^"''"^' "^
couX^;ii:ftt^. ^" ^"^ b^"«^' ^ ^-^ --y «heep have been spoiled in thia
Mr. Hood's methocf of treatment is as follows :—
taking tC off fh\gri;:Tn 'rtSLrfwc^ukSt 1 1^ " ^ ''"'V'' '^^^P ^h-« -• After
r couhl get them, f would also probabTySeXma^^ '^"^ paiu-peas and oats if
To the lambing ewes I would lmvs a little SI!h Tnri !. i f .^"' fu ''^*'" i"' ^^''^ *"^' P^a-straw.
if you do not separate them it^wiU not be many davrb.forp f V,'"f *''? ^''^^/"I^ ^"'*^ the ewes;
the ewe. I think it would pay to feed the sheer, dn'inf/^h! f\^'''^^' ^^l" 1^ >'in to nibble with
or to soil them in the field I am fee in- nlltllil ^ ^"^'^ '^T "^ ^^^ir growth on grain
of that, and you can feed hem ^no! as reairi- ^^^^ ^'''' "i"'' ' ' - '^""P '^''^ ^""^
clover. I keep water accessU^le o thJ^ii all t^t me ^n? "?<"' P'-^^t'ire. a'hey prefer it to
would wean the lambs in Au"u.t at th^ k/p^^ Jj i "'^ ^.'u" ^h^"" ''"^ ^'"''"nt ..f salt. I
them a good quantity of"root^tffirll td'noTloo mu;!!' Sn."' '"^""^' "'"^^^ ^ "''"^^^ °'-
He fays?-" ^""' "'* 'P^''' '^^ dread the effect of keeping sheep in large flocks.
mom'h?hTi"tLi1l?ere*n:e^lVe'n?Lt^^^^^^^^^^ in one flock depends on the quantity of
there is an idea prevlnt tlat Cotswol ca. It be 1^1' 1 '/ ^%t' F^oni enough' I know
finer wooled she'ep; but I don\thS there is alvW.^r^^^^ '" ""' 'A""^" «",'''^^ *'^ the
to the extent of four or five hundred and a, h I nl^n- i l\ ^ ha^e seen Cotswolds herded
He adds : —
mixed husbandry, of course." "^ lo m iw sneep. ihat la under a system of
Mr, Snell's system of feeding is as follows :—
ca«e'!,[ stonnJwetklr^oTha^'tLt^^,^^ t "^7 'Y'i 7^'^ ^"?- ^^at can be closed in
them in i^k^n the h^^ XS^SZ X^ ^. ^e^.^^ ^^£7^.. ^t
■kV
I
ill
•ifliM^iWBa
1 1
266
ONTARIO AGRTCULTURAL COMMISSTON.
our breeding ewes ; to the young sheep we feed clover hay and ro(;t8. I think f.-om the exi)en-
ence I have had that to feed roots to ewes with lambs is injurious to the lambs. It makes
the lair Ss weak. Old country shepherds say that when they have a big crop of turniM they
have a poor crop of lambs. We feed them plenty of turnips after they have lambed. Durmg
the winter time we also give our young sheep a little grain— peas and oats mixed— and two ( r
three weeks before lambing time we give the ewes a mixture of peas and oats and bran.
Mr. Russell says as to feeding and "inter treatment : —
"In the winter I feed pea-straw, hay, and turnips, to shee]). Good shelter from the cold
winds la of great benefit, at the same time they require an outside yard, to be healthy."
PROFITS OF SHEEP FARMING.
With regard-^to the profits on sheep breeding, opinions will vary. In this case the
breeder has to take into account a different class of circumstances affecting profit
and loss from those which influence the calculations of one who is only a buyer and
feeder. Some witnesses have expressed an opinion that the profit is greater on sell-
ing lambs than on keeping the sheep over winter and then shipping them to Europe.
It seems to be pretty clear that the profit on sheep kept for their second clip is not
in proportion to that realized by their sale in their first summer as shearlings.
Mr. Bawlings says on this point : —
' ' The most profitable time for farmers to sell their sheep is after they have taken the first
-wool. I would advise them to keep their lambs during the winter, take the first wool, and
sell them after July. That would bring them the most profit."
The wool, too, of the first clip is usually of the finest quality. What the shear-
ling, or its wool, will be worth, is of course dependent on breed and feed. It is
mot intended to argue that a common sheep, with a 4 lb. or 4| lb. fleece and bring-
ing 4 or 4^ cents, live weight, at the highest, is a profitable animal anywhere.
Professor Brown puts the difference in value and profit between the common and
the improved sheep as follows : —
"The difiference between the value of a well-bred grade and a common sheep is thus
shown:— t j
Common. Inaproved.
Sheep. Cross.
Common wool, 5 lbs. at 27c $1 35
Improved wool, 8 lbs. at 35c ^ • •_ • $2 80
Common mutton, 140 lbs. at 4c 5 <>0
Improved mutton, 170 lbs. at 5^0 9 35
$6 95 112 15
6 95
Difference $5 20
Or, $520 in a flock of 100."
That these calculations are correct in so far as they apply to a first-class animal
over a common one will probably be assented to by most. But it must be allowed
that the improved grade sheep of farmers generally will hardly come up to the
standard given aboie.
Leaving out of view the extraordinary clip of wool obtained here and there by
successful breeders, it will be safest to place the average weight of medium wool,
say from a Southdown and Cotswold or Leicester cross, at 7 lbs. For good medium
wool, 36 cents would be an average price. Nor does there appear, from the evidence,
to be the least difficulty in bringing a good grade shearling up to 160 lbs. , live
weight. While 5 cents a pound may be assumed as the value of mixed lots of sheep
of fair quality, it is freely stated that cargoes of wethers would probably bring 7
cents. One witness had actually paid 7^ cents in Buffalo last March for such a ship-
ment. That, for really good grade wethers of suitable size, 6 cents may bo obtained,
it is quite reasonable to believe. But to avoid misleading any one it may be safest
to take 5^ cents as the basis of tne present calculation. At that rate a shearling
wether, weighing 160 lbs. , shipped in May to Europe, would bring, at 5^ cents per
lb., ^8.80, having already yielded a clip of wool, say 7 lbs. at 36 cents— 12. 46— and
GENERAL FARMING-PROFITS OF SHEEP FARMING. 267
with Che universal testhnony to th« value of the manure of sheep, it will not be too
ThU^T '^""^ l^ "'"*' .T'^ \^ fairly gained to the farmer from that source?
,,r* Tf p"" f Ki' r^*T„"" -^^^ shearhng of $12. On tlie other hand, what has
he cost? Probably the following account will be nearly accurate:—
Proportion of sire's servicea «ft Kn
Mother's keep during milk ".'.'.'.'.*.."..! 2 25
Extra food, brRn and raeal, from March to October ......V.'.'.V. .'.'.'.'.'. 1 15
Grazmg n on
Dipping "20
Winter keep, October to May o ok
Washing and clipping \\\ q f q
Proportion of management, casualties, etc.— say .....'.'.'.'.'..'. [ '. [ ] ] ] ." ' i oo
Total cost of shearling 87 48
Showing a profit of $4.52.
In this connection it may not be amiss to notice the results of selling the same
animal not as a shearung, but as a lamb, in the fall. To the latter the first four
Items of expense will certainly apply, and, as casualities are greatest in the earlier
fwo Slf f fv,'T r' «i'^f ' '° ^* ^'" ^^'^^y ^« ""^^^^ *° charge it with at leas
two-thirds of the dollar (66c.) representing that item in the above statement, while
on the other hand, the manure previous to the wintering period is hardly worth
ri ?<?• -Ti *'°^* -^^^ "? *^^ ^*™^ °" ^^^ »*"^e calculation as the shearling will
be M.7b with no incidental return previous to marketing. Its value at that stage
appears to fluctuate greatly. When lambs bring such sums as occasionally ha?e
been mentioned-$7 or $8 a head-farmers can hardly be blamed for disponing of
them, but the ordinary prices are much lower. Three dollars to four dollars and a
half will be nearer the mark. The farmer will occasionally be obliged to sell his
ambs but the better the farmer the more he will strive to retain them, to brin '
them to the highest pitch of excellence both in wool and mutton, and tJ improve
his farm while he is improving his breed of sheep, thus rendering it every year
capable of sustaining a larger flock. ^ ^
On one point the ^yitnes8es were a unit, and that was the inadvisability of usin<^
ram lambs for breeding purposes. The practice is condemned by all as tending
either to the weakening of the flock, or not unfrequently to the loss of a season
altogether. One mature ram will very well serve fifty or sixty ewes in a season.
Ihe Southdown is admitted to be the most prolific of the breeds, frequently
having twins and losing few by cold or exposure. Mr. Parkinson, however, has no
reason to complain of his Leicesters in that respect. In 1876 he got thirty-six
lambs from twenty ewes ; in 1877, thirty-three from twenty ewes ; in 1878 thirty-
one from twenty-three ewes ; in 1879, thirty lambs from twenty-two ewes and in
1880 twenty-eight lambs from twenty ewes, or a total of one hundred and fifty-
eight lambs to one hundred and five ewes ; an increase of just 1* per head Pro-
tessor Brown gives 1^ per head as a good average increase.
The healthiness of sheep in Ontario has been already noticed. Where fatalitv
occurs It IS usually traceable to some specific and local cause, or to mismanagement
Over-feeding previous to lambing has been mentioned as having occasioned loss to
the breeder in some cases. Staggers is a form of complaint not altogether unknown
and ^otire m the neck in one flock mentioned, while other neighbouring sheep werJ
healthy, was pretty clearly traceable to the character of the water And as the
exception sometimes proves the rule, so, in one instance the appearance of foot rot
some nine years ago, and of foot and mouth disease once, s-.bsequently, in one dis-
trict, was mentioned, but only accompanied by the further information that with
w"*''^*^'"® and remedies both were speedily stamped out. There was nothing to
toster either, in the dry, healthy, bracing atmosphere of Ontario.
■ M
II
litii,''
1
If
268
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
HOG RAISING.
has been my chief market. I give the preference to the Essex for early maturity If I wei
selling on the market, the Berkshire might be more p- Titable, but for fawiily use I thin
the Essex is more profitable. I find the Essex to be as hardy and prolific as the Berk
shire. . . When I had both Berkshires and EHsexes I crossed the two breeds Md ko
Except m the south-western com-growing counties, and, in some cases, in con-
nection with cheese and butter factories, hog raising is nowhere carried on upon a
large scale in Ontario. Only in Kent and Essex did anyone pretend to find it a
prcjfitable business beyond the supplying of the family demand and the disposal of
•a small surplus after that had been satisHed. The evidence relating to pork raisin^
is, consequently, not very volumi ous, but has its points of interest nevertheless!
Mr. Anderson, of Puslinch, put the matter very correctly when he said :—
" I consider it profitable to raise pigs in this country, for breeding, but not for butcher-
mg. . . I don t think nork raising has been profitable in Canada during the last few
years, when the price of grain is taken into considerat'on. I think our coarse grr-"- s can be
better applied than feeding them to hogs. We cannot compete with the larwe corn-KrowiiiL'
regions of the west in that respect " o o f,
Mr. Anderson strongly favours the Essex breed. He says :—
„,,. ".I have used Uie smaller breeds- P.erkshires and Essex, and Mr. Brown's breed, the
VVindsor. . . . i have had both Berkshires and Jlssexes until recently, when I have L'iven
my whole attention to the Essexes. I think they are more profitable, for the amount of fewl
consumed, and come earlier to maturity. I can generally sell all I can spare. Prices are nnt
so high as they were. I used to sell to the United States people a good deal, but lately Canada
has been my chief market. I give the preference to the Essex for early maturity. If I weie
T think
Berk-
"--• ■• -" "•■■" -•-"jv-.ioo i v-iwaacii uiie uwo ureeus ^md L'ot
a splendid cross. Ihere are dozens of my neighbours bringing iheir Berkshire sows to inv
Jissex boar, and they prefer tne first cross to the pure-bred animal for feeding purposes.''
Mr. Snell on the other hand is a,supporter of the Berkshires. of which he is
a succesbful breeder. Three of his herd are represented in an accompanying illus-
tration. As he has had fifteen years' experience of the breed, whj?t he says may be
worth quoting :—
"The only breed of pigs that I have bean raising for the last fifteen years is the Berk-
^^^% , *" *""'" experience in breeding Suffolks and Yorkshires previous to that time
The Berk.-»hire would be classed with the small breeds, I s' ppose, but they are larger thaii
the Black Essex and other small breeds. I would call them a medium-sized hog The York-
shire is a large breed, the Suffolk and Essex small. I think a medium-sized hog is the most
profitable. A small breed wdl perhaps get fatter at an e,arly age— .say at four or five months ■
but one objection to them is that they get too fat -that there is more fat than lean in theni-
that their meat is not marbled. At a year old the Berkshire will beat the Suffolk by nearly
100 pounds, and his meat will be more marbled- there will be a larger proportion of lean
than fat.
"The Berkshires mature much earlier than the large breeds, and they can be fattened at
almost any age. I think it is more profitable to fatten a Berkshire pig at e'ght months old
than to keep it over the winter. At eight months old we can bring them to 200 or 22.5 lbs
" I have been breeding, not to supply the general market, but to sell hn 's for breeding
purposes. At the prices we get here for pork I do not think there is much profit in raisin'
pigs f()r pork, and we cannot at all compete with the Western States in producin"- nork
profitably. '
" In my opinion the best time to have pigs dropped is in March or April
"Young pigs should be fed with milk, slops, and shorts. When you want to fatten them
I think peas are the 1 jt feed for that purpose. In die winter seasi n we let the breediii>'
sows run out, and we feed them on peas. I think peas are better for breeding sows than slntw
After they have pigs, we prefer to feed them slop feed, swill, and shorts. When «-he dam is
fed on strong feed like jieas. the young suckling pig is likely to have its blood heated and its
legs crippled. I think it is best to have a yard or a clover or grass field for pigs to run upon
in the summer time." '
Mr. Alanson Elliott, of Colchester (Essex), is in the heart of the Ontario corn-
growing region. He says : —
'•Ours is a great p(,rk -raising flistriot, and we find the industry a profitable one. Onr
average price would be about .SO a hundredweight, and pork pays well at that price. We
would not consider ourselves losing even at $^
"I prefer across between the Berks and the Suffolk or Essex. The Essex is a .small
compact animal, which fattens well. Our pork is shipped east, a great deal of it being sent
ill!)
\'m
Hi
i'::li
mk
I,
le cases, in con-
irried on upon a
nd to tind it a
I the disposal of
', to pork raising
st nevertheless,
said : —
;t not for butcher-
ui'ing the last few
arse grr'* s can be
iige corn-growiiifj
rown's breed, the
i'hen I have given
le amount of feed
}. Prices are iint
3Ut lately Canada
;urity. If I weie
v.nily use I think
ific as the Berk-
breeds .md got
cshire sows to my
ng purposes.''
of which he is
mpanying illus-
he says may be
ears is the Berk-
us to that time.
r are larger than
hog. The York-
1 hog is the most
r or hve months;
n lean in them—
■Suffolk by nearly
•oportion of lean
an be fattened at
I'ght months old
loo or 22.5 Iba.
o„'s for breeding
profit in raising
producing pork
it to fatten them
let the breeding
sows than slops.
Vhen the data is
I heated and its
pigs to run upon
Onta
no corn-
table one.
that price.
Our
Wo
Isscx is a .small,
of it being sent
i-,
ml
270
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
to Aylmer, where it is packed. Montreal buyers also take a good deal, and I suppose it goes
to the btates. Buyers say that we produce the best pork in Canada. By crossing the Berk-
Mhire on the Essex we get a smaller animal but a finer grade, the meat being fatter but not so
coarse. I thmk such a cross would produce pork well adapted to Jinglish consumption. We
had a pork-packmg establishment in Windsor some time ago, but it failed. They bought for
the English maiket, and they preferred hogs leaner than ours."
Mr. Her, also from Essex, gives testimony on the whole confirmatory of Mr.
Elliott's. He says : —
" We fe^d pork considerably with corn, and that industry can be successfully carried on
m Essex. Tork raismg is profitable if we get $5 per cwt. for it, but it is not profitable at any
lower price. We average pretty much about that price for our pork, so that I consider the
industry prohtable. Farmers who have 100 acres, generally keep, for stock and fattening
about forty hogs.
" At present our hogs are generally pretty well bred. We have two or three breeds-the
lisaex, the buffolk, and the Berks!. ires -and some have paid attention to Poland Chinas I
think a cross between the Berkshire and the Essex is better than either of those two breeds
as they come to maturity sooner, and fatten more readily. Pork feeding is rather a local and
peculiar industry with us, owing to the large area of corn which we cultivate. Some farmers
fatten as much as 9,000 lbs. of pork in a year. The average number of hogs fattened on a
farm Oi 100 acres would be about twenty, and twenty more are kept over. The production of
pork is not increasing very much.
"We generally export our hogs, for, though we have a pork-packing establishment in
Windsor, it is on a small scale. I think it would be more profitable if we had the packinK
industry carried on in our own district."
Mr. Wm. McGregor in his report says : —
"We do not export icrgely of corn, but we sell about 100,000 bushels a year to the dis-
tillers m the county. Tb.j remainder is used in feeding pork, which brings us in annually
about $100,000. . . Our prof'v:otion of pork is almost as certain as the season itself. Our
pork 18 the same as the American ;,ork, because it is fed in the same way— that is chiefly upon
corn. It brings as much as any pork in the market."
THE HOG THAT IS WANTED,
For pork nsed in the lumber shanties, whither doubtless goes much of the Essex
products, fat hogs will always be in demand, and no one needs to be told at this
time of day how greatly the imported stock has improved the native breed. In the
counties mentioned the farmers know what will suit their market, but it is in tliis,
as in all other cases, the farmers of Ontario generally, not merely those with whom
hog raising or feeding is a specialty, whone interest the Commissioners have more
particularly in view. They have therefore taken evidence with the especial object
of ascertaining what class of hog is now most in demand, and how that animal may
most easily and profitably be obtained.
Mr. Wm. Davies, of Tctfonto, is, probably, the most extensive pork packer in
Canada. His trade is almdt exclusively with Great Britain, and the department
he addresses himself to is the curing and packing of bacon and hams. His supply
is mainly from the Western States, farmers raising too few hogs in Ontario to meet
his requirements. Between May 1870 and 1880 he killed and packed 50,000 hogs
at his establishment at Toronto. His experience as to the class of hogs required is
given as follows : —
" The class of animals I require are hogs ranging from 160 to 240 pounds, live weight—
and we must have them alive. We do not buy dressed hogs at all. We consider it very Lad
economy to do so, because we can kill and cut up a pig in a great deal less time than a farmer,
besides making much better work of it.
" The kind of hog we desire is a lean hog ; but I would here guard against the idea that
we require a thin hog. While we want it lean, we want it well fed ; a great deal of fat,
instead of being an advantage, is a great disadvantage. We like a long hog, or, as a promi-
nent English packer described it recently in a Chicago paper, something like the old ' racer '
breed crossed with the Berkshire.
•'When I speak of 'racers,' I mean the common Canadian hog with along snout and
long legs, somewhat modified. The common Canadian hog, crossed with the Berkshire, would,
I think, be ttiiuut tjie kiitJ of animal required for the English market. In short, what we
want is a meaty hog, but not a fat hog. "
GENERAL FARMING— HOO RAISING.
271
[ suppose it goes
jssing the Berk-
fatter but not HO
isumption. We
They bought for
iiatory of Mr.
ifully carried on
irofi table at any
\,t I consider the
: and fattening,
iree breeds— the
land Chinas. I
lose two breeds,
bther a local and
Some farmers
:s fattened on a
ie production of
stablishment in
ad the packing
year to the dis-
I us in annually
son itself. Our
t is chiefly upon
■ f'ii
ESSEX BOAR.
h of the Essex
)e told at this
)reed. In the
it it is in this,
ise with whom
ers have more
especial object
at animal may
i, live weight—
ider it very Lad
3 than a farmer,
it the idea that
eat deal of fat,
or, as a promi-
the old ' racer '
long snout and
srkshire, would,
short, what we
POLAND CHINA.
272
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
Lest any reader of these notes sliould fail to understand what the "racer"
really is, an illustration is presented for his examination. He has chiefly been
notorious in the past for somewhat predatory inclinations in whicli ho has been
assisted by long limbs, great activity of motion, and a snout that was said to fall
short of the truly useful and meritorious if it failed to reach the second row of corn
through a snake fence. Now, combined with some finer imported breed, his utility
may be more highly appreciated.
THE "EAGER" OR "ALLIGATOR" PIG.
Mr. John Beattie, of Seaforth, also a packer, gives similar evidence to Mr.
Davie« as to the kind of hog wanted. He says : —
"Thc! hogs we preferred were those weighing about 150 or 200 pounds dressed. If a
person could get a sufficient number of hogs of that weight, he woidd do better than with a
heavier article. For every order for hams weighing from 14 to 16 pounds we usually get ten
for those weighing from 8 to 12 pounds. I think it is a mistake for our farmers to go into the
raising of hogs of large size,
"It pays packers very well to get the fat meat, but you cannot sell it so well in the
English market ; a lean ham and a lean side are what are in demand there. For the lumber-
men, coarse fat meat is better. I think the hogs raised in Canada are as well adapted for the
lumbermen as western hogs."
Mr. Hall, of Liverpool, whose evidence in regard to shipments of cattle and
sheep has been frequ-ntly quoted, has been a pig fancier in the old country. He
does not approve of a long-nosed pig but would generally approve Mr. Uavies'
views as to the conformation of the desirable bacon hog. He says : —
"I like a pig as straight as a Leceister sheep, good short nose and fjood jowls, and I want
them good behind the jowl. If they are such animals as that, then they are like all other
animals, good to follow and good to meat, good in their hair, good through their hams, and
good on their loins. I have often seen pigs at our shows that I would almost term malforma-
JtiouB, extraordinary forward and good in the hams, but very weak in their loins. "
Judging by some of the " racer's " performances, he is hardly open to the charge
of being weak in the loins. Mr. Hall suggests a breed as likely to prove useful in
this country, and about the stamp of animal required, an opinion in which the
Commissioners believe Mr. Davies would concur. Mr. Hall says : —
"The pig that I think the most profitable that any man can breed is the middle bred
white Yorkshire with plenty of hair. In this country you want pigs with plenty of hair or
they will get scorched by the sun. Length is desirable in a pig, because when you get length
you get well mixed bacon. The taste of penple of means in England has always been in
favour of bacon with lean in it ; and now country people too require finer bacon than they used
to— they want a meatv pig rather than a fat one. There is no one who has been so successful
in raising pigs as the Earl of Eilesmere and Peter Eden, near Manchester. They have been
wonderfully successful with their pigs. I think the Berkshire breed is a very fine one, and I
am led to believe th it it maki-s the best bacon ; but I do not think the pigs of that breed are
aa quick growers as the middle-sized Yorkshire."
After the midile-sized Yorkshire Mr. Hall would use the Berkshire, and it is
uy ne isearis irnpfouaolo tiiat, by tlic cross of the Berkshire on the "racer," or
native breed, the precise style of hog just now most popular will be obtained. The
':\%^.
GENERAL FARMING— HOO RAISING.
273
ressed. If n
than with a
jually get ten
to go into the
i, and I want
ike all other
ir hams, and
m malfomia-
middle bred
ity of hair or
iiu get length
vaya been in
lan they used
80 successful
jy have been
le one, and I
!iat breed are
m
» (
1 ':[
1
274
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
ii I
Poland China is not very far from the required standard, but is described as a some-
what coarse animal. The reason for the change in the dei^and for hogs in f 'uada
18 the very great alteration in the tastes of the British consumer. Mr. Uivies
■ays : —
"The markots supplied by me, for which the kind of pork I have described is re> red
are the London and Liverpool markets for city consumption ; but the country n-quireuients
I!1h A"' k"""" *i? """F '?'"^''*'i *" r^'i"''^ "^ J'*" ' '^y- «*"°« *he farm labourers have become
better off, they will not eat chunks of fat as thuy used to.
I,- \ rl^ M*" *'®®".* ^^'y ^'^^^^ change in the demand for pork in England in recent vara
Which 1 attribute to the improved condition of the working classes. An ordinary EnKlishiian
now wants hie meat mixed, and not a mere chunk of fat to flavour his bread with."
FBEDINQ HOOS.
Mr. Davies has, however, a word of advice to the Ontario farmer besides telling
nim what hogs are most in request. He says :
n^prl'lwK"^ ^'"^^l \ ^,*"^? ii!'V''V^'^ ^^^'^. *^«y *■■« "°* ™°''« **»»» ^»" ^»t ■■ they are not
merely thin on the back, but the belly, the prime part, is almost like a slieet of paper. This
1 am told, IS owing to the farmers letting their hogs run adrift as soon as they leave the mother
we knockeTon &erd ^''^'^^- ^^^^ *'« *h®° "*>"* "P ^n^ hastily fed, and then they
«fK~!* •* ™/ T"'?j V*** ^»^r**, *,^® opinion of those of more exi rience, that hogs, like any
give hfty cents per hundred pounds more for good medium hogs thau for large fat hogs."
Mr. Davies goes on to say : —
" Canadian hogs are a good deal better than western hogs, if they are fed just as well -
«f?.*»"fl^ Canadian hogs are fed on peas and barley, which make the fat firmer and produce
more tiesh, while American hogs, which are fed on corn, have a less firm fat and a smaller
2!*??l5.^K°^ I • ' ^"'-r**^ ^™S;i^*?, ^''«?. '"'* ™"*'h superior to the Canadian hogs in regard
of iJan flesh^and "fss of flT" ^<^^^'^'^^ Pork is rather primer meat, as it consists more
i,^„ "^k P':*^^"'^ ^1 a'"^ paying from five to five and a quarter cents a pound for Canadian
hogs ; that is more than we have been paying formerly. Of the hogs we want, we do not get
more m Canada than about 3,000. **
, "l°^\f ''j^™ ^'^^^ ^""T »8 ^af west as London, St. Thomas and Chatham. Those
from the latter Places are much more like the American hogs than most Canadian hogs, which
I account for by their being fed on corn and being much better l)red. A great maiy hogs
from that part of the country are pure-bred." b'<»«.k "lauy nogs
" The experience of this well-qualified witness is favourable to butter and cheese
factory.fed pork, but only when some grain is fed with the whey. He does not like
distillery-fed pork so well as pork fed by farmers, considering both fat and lean to
be softer. Peas and barley make the best pork, while mixed feed, such as boiled
potatoes and milk, is highly approved. Mr. Davies' allusion to the Irish pork may
embody a useful hint or two. He says : — r j
"We can never hope to compete successfully against the Irish pork, partly because it is
so near the market, and partly because the hogs in Ireland are fed and bred with great care.
Ihey have contrived there to get the hog as thick in the belly as in the back ; but I - hould
suppose that It would not be difficult to breed so as to obtain that perfection. 1 do not know
the process of feeding hoM m Ireland ; but I have been told they are fed on oatmeal, barley
meal, potatoes and milk, boiled together. Certain it is, that the fat of Irish pork is rich and
luciouB— not oily, as on this side of the Atlantic."
LIVE versics dead hogs.
On one more point Mr. Davies is very emphatic. He says :
*i, "I ^^^^^ Canadian farmers stand in their own light in killing their own hogs— certainly
those do who live a great distance from Toronto. When the farmers kill their own hogs a
tfvel WMted ^^ ^^ °*" "*'''''® ^^ '^'"^"^ * ^'^'"^^ number together is, compara-
" If a farmer keeps his hogs alive, he can time his sales and choose his customers. If a
number of neighbouring farmers have not enough each to make a shipment, they may club
together and bring their hogs to Toronto. It seems to me a great pity that a valuable animal
should be comparatively ruined bv heme killpf) a hiinrlrorl Tr^iloc *,.,>«, ...v, ;* -•£. 4-~ v^ ->-f i--
and converted into bacon. ^
VEBA. F < RMINO- GRAIN CROPS.
275
"In the northern [/art of the ^ounty of York, the farmer* Is .0 sold their hoRg alive for
vearg. and I think they are inuoh more pleased with that practice than the old pn "ems of kiil-
ins: them bft le taking th«in to market. They are Iwught up from them by ■ ')verti, and
8hlpi>ed."
And then he draws the followint? agreeable and appetizing pictur ■ of the farm-
dref* I liog and its fate : —
"liiii hoflfH are frozen, and they art' tken to the country stores and piled up li! e cord
wood, and j^uawed by hogs, dogg, catH, .uid rats. They are covered with dust and flirt, are
pitohei, .lx)u' with not much more f.'\re thu cordwood, are itept in a country warehouse for
two or three weeks, sometimes mnr ri> then brought here by railwa", and by th'
ime they reach us, they are more ' irn m tli • human food. If the pigs w re killed "here,
very part of them could be kept bright and frean anfl good. I don't know what the dr vers
pay to the farmers, but we often pay almost em much for live hogs per pound as Iressed hogs
fetch im the market in the wiiit«r."
He says in cond" son : —
" If I ooidd get a ady supply of Canadian hoj/g from year's end to year's end, even two
or three hundred per week, I would be quite willing to give considerably more for them
than for American. "
I
GRAIN CROPS.
WHEAT.
The complaint that wheat wiiiaot be grown in Ontario so Buccessfully aa for-
merly is a very general one, and the truth of this statement appears to be taken
for granted by most people. That it is true in many .„ ances is not to be denied,
although the tendency to look back to the "gcod old times," and to remember
what was most agreeable and pleasant, lo the exci ision of troubles and drawbacks,
is not confined to wheat growers. That, in favour;- )le situations and in good sea-
sons, very large crops were gathered from ll virgin soil is indisputable, although
whether, with the very rough farming that was in vogue during the first half of
this century, a better average was usually obtained than at present, is not so clear.
For, while, to-day, many farmers are thankful to get twenty bushels of fall wheat
to the acre, here are others to whom from thirty to forty bushels is no rare occur-
rence. Unl rtunately, with the exception of here and there some private record
or assistance from the memory of a witness, it is only possible to obtain rough
approximate averages of the crops of the Province in the past.
FALL WHEAT^
The average yield of fall wheat now probably a fraction under twenty bushels
per acre, and of spring wheat about twelve bushels per acre. But an average of
twenty buahols, in view of the ver\ widely differing experiences of farmers even
in the same county, owing to local causes or difiierent systems of farming, by no
means implies that, on land and situations well adapted for wheat, and with those
improvements and appliances which modern farming, to be successful, requires,
now that the merely temporary advantage of a virgin soil is wanting, crops of wheat
reaching thirty, thirty-five, or even forty bushels may not be raised.
Mr. Drury, for instance, in his evidence, places his highest yield in fourteen
years at for*^y bushels, and his lowest, in a very unfavourable year, at eighteen
bushels.
In Kent, where the area devoted to the growth of fall wheat has been largely
increased, forty bushels, according to the evidence, is no uncommon yield, while
thirty bushels would be an average, and that not with very good farming either.
Mr. White says : —
" The average yield of fall wheat for the last three years, leaving out what was sown too
late, or on black, mucky land, so that it was frozen, would be about thirty bushels per acre.
From what I have seen in travelling about, I think this is as good a wheat-growing county
as any ;n the Province, j. woulu not think that the averiige yield of fall wheat over the
other portions of Ontario would be more than twenty bushels per acre.
" I think our average would be greater if our cultivation was better, and we did not sow
SMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-S)
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23 WEST MAIN STREET
WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580
(716) 87i2-4503
^ ,^^^'^'
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So <myr
Ks
C/u
t
376
ONTABIO AGEIOULTUBAL COMMISSION.
rver^e Sof fortv tl fortvfc ''^"'' ^'Z^.'' ™«*h"'l« "^ cultivation brought an
over oncron stulbPoJ clovS'i^ l\t 1%'^'^- .^""'^ "^ "^ ^*" ^l^*"** '« J"** ploughed
ploughed twice Snd manured." "" ^^* '' '"^^ "° '^''^^^'' ^^^ ^^""^ «^'°"^^ '^^
bu8hS7and S f u""*^' ^\* '^?' ?"" °^" *^«^ag« is about twenty-five
Sfi 'm fi ^ ?'^"P/'" ^cultivation he thinks it would be more.
Ho saysT- '"' ^''^''' ^'^^^ suggestive evidence on. the same point.
that year.^ TStt'ylri^^offiTel'rrT^^e'it'/L-shei S Lfe! '^^^'*^^" '"^^^^^ *^ ^'^^ -"
awaf " w^eSfLr'^ihl?'' ^' "f? ^" ^'°^**"? ?""• ^^ ^^« " J^^* ^ept cropping
b2d8 to fiffPPn Jf '/^^''-fu*^' y^^'' *"^ ^*" ''"'"^ down already from thirty
notthan*: Sst^th^roH^rm^i! ^^^^ ^^°^^^°* ^' ^ ^"^^^^^ -^-^-" ^^ ^« ^^
Mr. Macfarlane, of Dover (Kent^ says •—
enti;;i^?u;Sdt;tan?o'j^ro;T:t^?n^^^^^^^ *° '""^ '«'"' ^'^^^"^-^ '- - ^^- --
acco^nts'^of "hi^-f "' ?^ Mark^am, who farms very systematically, keeps accurate
gives fortvbthrT^ operations, and can therefore speak with great exactness!
cilt?vafpy,i^r ! f ''^''^^ ^^ ^"' y'^^'^ ^" a s«v«" years' rotation with land wel
cultivated, moderately manured, and thoroughly drained.
gives Sstusri S v"' ^^ ^^*' T ^^** ^« «P<^^^« °f as a good fall wheat country.
Mr Tnh. iJi *t^^s,«^" and others' average for the past four years. ^'
Mr. John Black, of Ramsay (Lanark), says :— ^
bush'ISt'Si^aJrrandtre'rale^^JbS^^^^^ "^^d" ' ^'"'^/l" ^^^^« ^^^ '' *« ^^
killpd T trJ.:.^ j*^ • ^5 raiseu 4U Dushels. I ceased growmer it because it was winf-pr
W yea! it wl'S°wSr km^d^'^T b""" ^T^ ^^.^^f ^'^^^'"^ ^« buZls trt™' e
protect the Xa?^ I TttSte the faiWof r &iV»f '^ ""'"''^ '"■•^'^^* ''C '"^ ^*^°^ *»
protection. Where anyTaSfen^tv'elrhfs £n' i!! s'o'rshe" tS^Srl^? *'^ ^'^'^'^^^ "'
Mr. Andrew Cochran, also of Ramsay, says :—
has rn?werVd^Ll''''f^A^in^^ ^' T" '^^^ ^'"*^ ^""* «^ Hutchinson
^^^XZ^^:;^^:S^ ^ -^^ "P-"y -dy loam
Mr. Ketcham Graham, of Sidney (Hastings s says :—
whel7f«rTJ'en't^vt"a't ^'".'^.^fi '^f^^^'A' ^" *^" ^'^^-^ "^ ^^^ ^'^^'^t- I bave not grown any fall
i i^That would be, if the whole forty-six acres be taken into account, just twenty-
in clL.lf^I'Z'&bsISoto^^^^^^^^^ '? ^"-P« i« -Worn seen
GENERAL FARMING—FALL WHEAT.
277
eep cropping
one and three-quarter bushels per acre on che whole area sown, notwithstanding the
winter killuig, or twenty five bushels per acre on the forty acres saved ""'""^*^®
As showing however that fluctuations in the fall wheat crop are not of reoAnf
experience only, the evidence of another witness, Mr. Walter Riddle, of Cobmira
comes in very opportunely. This gentleman has kept a record fo^ thirty e".ht
years of the date of his several crop operations, ploughing, sowing, harvesting and
so forth and also the yield of every crop for that period He published his rCrt
first m the Canada Fanner m 1868, and supplemented them with a further stSe,^
at the recent sitting of the Commissioners at Cobourg. As instances of so exact a
record are very rare, it niay be interesting to see what Mr. Riddell's fall wheat cron
has yielded annually in this long period. His figures for fall wheat are as follows :-
Bushels.
. . None sown.
Bushels.
1811 None sown.
1812 12
W4J None sown,
1844 "
1845 "
1846 " "
i847...
1»48 .,
1849...
1850...
12
124
38|
24
1851
1852....,
18.53
18.54
1855
1856
1857
1858
18.9
1860
Bushels,
l^i
29
45
16
28
20
24
^
20
16
1861.
1863.
1863.
1864.
1865.
1S66.
1867.
24
1868 None sown.
1869. ... 17
1870 3J
Bushels.
1871 20
1872..... 18
1873 None sown.
1874 " "
1875 14J
1H76 8
1877 25
1878 12
1^' 9 None sown.
io ^^t Vl'^^t ^'^^^ ^"^ ^^^ twenty-four years in which fall was sown was exactly
19 bushels to the acre, or just about the average of the total yield so far as estirna+S
at the present time, and although it will be observed that,^in the first and ^^^^^^^^^^
decades of the period, there were some extraordinarily good crops which tend S
help the average, it is equally clear there were some very serious failures. But Mr
Riddell adds an explanation to his evidence which seems to account for the difierence
between some of the crops m the earlier periods and those of the later. He says -
''The farm pn which the crops from 1841 to 1867 inclusive were raised is afirst-f.la«« f>,r,„
ItlfT °" rv.-'"^ *^' T^ ^^ ^^^ r"'\ ^'^'^^ th«" weresrown cannot Te sail to be We ?han
second-class-thid accounts in part for the great falling'ofiF in the crops." "
Mr. David Smellie, of Vaughan (York), says :—
" Taking two or three years together I don't suppose my r --age would run more than 20
bushels an acre. Excluding this vear it would not run as hiM. is 25 busheh TJv.n„
ordinary three years I don't thinlc it would run much more tliau 20 bushelf" Some farmers
in my neighliourhood are more suscessfu) than I am, as some of the farms near ^h^llt^
adapted for wheat, being higher and seeming to do better. "'"^ *'* ™''''«
" •',*" "'heat has been cultivated on my farm forty years, more or less. I remember thp
time when my crops were a great deal larger than they are at present. I think thTreTr..ood
deal in the winters to make the crops less now than they were/ We have less snow now fh
we had, and I think that has a great deal to do with it. '^ ^ *'''*"
Mr. Cochrane, of Kilsyth (Grey), about eight miles west of Owen Sound, says •—
'/Winter wheat has always succeeded well with us, especially on new land • the onlv "pv
cept.ons being when it rusted. There always has been a crop of straw, but in some cases ther;
was not a crop of gram on account of the rust. Fall wheat succeeds well in our district Th.
hllT ^'^"^ P."" '^''::l ^'"*''' ^^*f' "Z^"'' *^^ 1^"^ '« w«" cultivated, wil^be, perhaps 25
bushels For two or three years back the average has been as much as that, with the excen
Sh^VreSS.'"^''^ '* ""' ^"'" '^'"'^'^ '" '^"^ ^'■''''- '^^^ ««"^«- '« princiSlly^oS
Professor Brown gives 35 bushels per acre as the yield of fall wheat under his
system of rotation for the last five years. Yet this average Professor Brown does
not consider to be a very successful outcome, the high elevation of the land~900
feet above the level of Lake Ontario-and the exposure of the crop to adverse at
mospheric influences in tliat situation, being he considers unfavourable to the cron'
* XT i^'^^'m^ evidence respecting the use of special fertilizers, Mr. Neil J. Campbell
u^^'r'i Township (Haltoni, mentioned 45 bushels as the yield where superphos-
phate had been apphed, and from 26 to 30 bushels as the yield f)n land when mSder
ately well manured m the ordinary way. >"uer-
The general conclusions that may be arrived at from this evidence, gathered as
278
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
it is from all parts of the Province, both from oral testimony as to individual exper-
ience, and township returns, may be stated as follows : —
That the average yield of fall wheat on land under wheat cultivation is —
All over per acre 19 bushela.
That, where not interfered with by exceptionally unfavourable
circumstances, a good average crop is 25 "
That, with superior farming on good soil and in favourable sea-
sons, it is not unusual for farmers to raise from 30 to 45 "
Why the average is not greater all over, why the larger returns are not oftener
obtained, and how they are secured, will be discussed further on.
SPRINa WHEAT.
Meantime, the yield of spring wheat may be noticed. As a rule, the spring
wheat crop has been lately in many places an entire and complete failure, and in
others has been far from profitabl .
The aggregate returns show an average yield of spring wheat of a trifle under
twelve bushels to the acre. From witnesses, the following facts 'n relation to spring
wheat were gathered, and may be briefly summarized as under : —
Bushels.
Professor Brown, at Guelph, in a seven years' rotation 17 per acre.
Mr. Douglas, St. Vincent (Grev), Russian White and Red Chaff
(1879) 17 to 18
" Russian White (1880) 17 to 18 "
" RedChafif " 15
Mr, Smellie, Vaughan (York) 15 "
Mr. James Thomson, Brooklin (Ontario) 31 "
Mr. Middleton, Clarke (Durham), average for IS years, about . 20 "
Mr. Wm. Noble, Haldimand township (Northumberland) 10 "
Mi. Walter Riddeli, Cobourg. For forty years the average has
been 32 bushels, but, for the last three years, about 13 "
Mr. Ketcham Graham (last year) 8 "
(17 years ago could get 30 to 40 bushels, )
Mr. R. Macfarlane, Ramsay— (Lanark) , 15 to 20 "
(In 1880 a failure altogether.)
Mr. Andrew Cochran, Ramsay — former average 30 "
For two or three years 5 to 15 "
Mr. James Black, Ramsay—former avera^/e : 30 "
For two years 10 "
Mr. Peter Black, Montague \ mark) — former average .. .20 to 25 "
Last two years A failure.
In Kent and Essex the cultivation of spring wheat has been practically given up.
Formerly, it was a. good crop of 25 bushels or upwards to the acre, but, to use the
words of Mr. Stephen White, it has, of late years, been a failure altogether.
Bushels.
Mr. Dickson, Tuckersmith (Huron) 17 to 23^ per acre.
(Generally -i, failure in his district.)
Mr. Drury, Crown Hill (Simcoe) 18 to 20 '•
Last year not over 12 to 14 "
It would be unfair to calculate the average yield of spring wheat upon the basis
of the last two or three years' returns, more particularly because the drop has been
in many cases so sudden as to indicate some temporary and exceptional cause
rather than a gradual decline. At the same time, the information supplied to the
commissioners from other sources, indicates results in many cases less favourable
than the majority of those above quoted. If the average of the township returns
be adopted it will probably represent very fairly the result of the weight of evi-
dence when it gives the average of spring wheat as a fraction under twelve bushels
per acre.
The question is not, however, merely, "What is the average yield?" It will
be possibly even more interesting to know what may or ought to be the average
yield of fiall or spring wheat. Nor is it from the facts elicited to be assumed, that
so far as Ontario is concerned, there is in this respect any cause for discourage-
ment. On the contrary there is in the intelligent appreciation of existing causes
!1 i
iil
> not oftener
GENERAL FARMING— COST OF GROWING WHEAT. 279
disclosed by witnesses who tell of diminished crops, evidence that gives hope for
the future.
Profftssor Brown in his evidence says : —
r xi!' ^o*™ °^ opinion that the yield of wheat ia steadily on the increase in the older portions
of the Province, largely by reason of more root growing anc' cattle raising."
Professor Buckland, a life-long student of everything affecting agriculture, and
a most careful observer, after alluding to the probable competition arising from the
vast production of grain crops in the North- West, says : —
"Our soil and climate are alike suited to the raising of grain and pasturing on a large
scale, and it has been found all over the world, that wherever the conditions are at all suit-
able, (he mixed system of b .sbandry, viz., the growing of grain and the breeding of stock is
the most certain and profitable. It keeps up the stamina of the soil, and I have long been of
the opinion that it would be wise ioc the Ontario fanner to cultivate less land for grain and
to use the remainder for the purpose of pasturing cattle and sheep." '
This process is most undoubtedly going on — and with what result ? Not per-
haps in the sowing of a larger or much larger area of wheat, but in an improving
yield of wheat wherever a skilful and intelligent combination of favourable opera-
tions is eflFected. The primitive system of husbandrj' incidental to a newly settled
country was, it ia now admitted by everybody, a wasteful one, and the land has
not yet had time to recover from it. The Reciprocity Treaty with the United
States gave too brief an opportunity to the recuperating influences it tended to
encourage. With its termination therb came a temporary reaction. But the evil
resulting from the abrogation of the treaty was not without its compensations.
The check then experienced, made efforts in other directions necespary, and the
rapid development of dairy farming under the demands of the gi-eat cheese manu-
facturing industry was the first step in a right direction. That industry, however
is but fifteen or sixteen years old, and the trade in sheep and cattle with Great
Britain, now growing rapidly to large proportions, d.i. aot exist at all until within a
third of that period. And there is an evident consciousness among the witnesses
that, to no inherent deficiencies of soil or climate, but only through the absence of
agencies that capital and intelligence may supply, is failure or a low average very
often to be ascribed. The country is, in fact, in a transition state, with a tendency
every day growing stronger towa) is better farming, better crops, and, conse-
quciHy, better times. The existing defects will be referred to presently.
COST OF GROWING WHEAT
The question " What is the cost of raising an acre of wheat (fall or spring) ?"
appeared to have been presented for the first time to a great many of the wit-
nesses. The answers in not a few instances when given orally were arrived at only
after some discussion and much consideration. When rendered in reply to a
printed form, the answers differ widely, ranging from $7 to $8, in some cases to
^20 and $21, in others the average of the replies from two hundred and twelve
farmers being $12.18 for fall, and |11.17 for spring wheat. In the case of spring
wheat the calculation is less difficult than in that of fall wheat, inasmuch as in
regard to the latter, it is often embarrassed by the intervention of a summer fallow
and, by the very close approximation of the estimates for fall and spring wheat
respectively in the written replies, it may be feared that the informants have not
generally included all that should be included in tlie cost of a fall wheat crop.
The following are some of the replies from witnesses already mentioned who
were orally examined as to the cost of growing fall wheat. The value of each
estimate will be more easily appreciated if the detailc are given :
Mr. Drury, County of Simcoe (on a first-class fallow) :—
Interest on vabie of land j3 qq
Preparation of land for crop (including cost of fallow) 9 00
Seed 1 50
Sowing and harvesting 2 00
Threshing 1 60
Manure 4 00
$21 10
\i-V
280 ONTARIO AORICULTUBAL COMMISSION.
Mr. Drury says in relation to this estimate :—
the wheat, hecM.se the effect of that fallow is seen in the four pucceed^n? croS • but I hav
not put .t at a high h^ure. because wa should have four ploughing SafxteTh'a'rowingH"
+.fv'?°M ^^^•"g.acfcu'^ll.ymade an estimate, Mr. Dickson (Huron) is disposed
to tlunk Mr. Drury's calculation 20 per cent, higher than he (Mr. Dickson) ioukl
Mr. S, White, Kent, (on clover sod or stubble) :—
Rent, or interest, and taxes gtn nn
Preparing land for crop -i in
see<i .*; ; • ■ . ■ ■ ^50
Sowing and harvesting o ra
Threshing .*" ! . . ! ! ! ! ! ! ! .' ! ! ! ! ". ! ! ! fS
Marketing ....'..'.'.".'.'.'.'.'.'..[ 1 S
Mr. Her, Essex, (on clover sod, stubble or corn ground) : —
Interest or rent to Kn
Preparation of land *S nn
Seed ;::;:;;; foo
Sowing and harvesting o An
Threshing 2 00
Other charges '..''.'.'.'.'.]'.'.'.'.'..'.[["['. i oq
Mr. McCain, Essex, (generally on oat or pea stubble) :— » 1 00
Interest or rent «S 00
Preparation of land for crop o ka
Seed *: : . ; ; 2 50
Drilling and harvesting k nn.
Threshing ° :.:::::; ^gj
Marketing '■'■'■'■.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'. i OO
Mr. Riddell, Northumberland, (on pea stubble) :— ^^^ ^^
Interest or rent ,ao „a
Preparation of land •••••••''''! !!!!!!!!! '.'.'.'.'.■.■!'.'.■.'.■ 4 00
o^^ecl ' ' ' 1 f-ft
Sowing, harvesting and housing o ok
Threshing .' ^ ^^
EoUing, cleaning, etc ■■................[...'..'.['. o 50
Ttr TD-jj 11 J J Or, on summer fallow, say le oO
Mr. Riddell adds : —
"Manure i.s occasionally put on, but it could not be charged to one year's - , Its
cost would be, perhaps, from $2 to $3 per acre."
Mr Andrew Elliott, of Gait, a very thoughtful witness, handed in the follow-
ing as his estimate • —
ESTIMATE OF COST iND RETURNS OF FALL WHEAT CROP,
No. 1.
The following estimate or cost and income derived from wheat crop is taken
from the crop of 1878, on a barley stubble— barley after clover :—
Rent of land ( 10 acres) ' ©gQ qq
Ploughing with three horses, six days .................'...'. 18 00
Harrowing twice over ' o 50
Gang-ploughing, two days 5 oO
Harrowing twice and sowing with drill 5 00
Plaster and salt applying '■'' r qa
Reaping and binding in 00
Threshing and marketing 9n nn
Seed— 13 bushels at $1.25 '■'■■'■'■'■'■'■'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.".'. 16 25
$131 75
16 00
$2 50
2 00
1 50
2 00
2 00
1 00
11 00
$3 00
2 50
1 50
2 00
2 80
1 00
GENERAL FARMINO-COST OP OEOWING WHEAT. 281
The crop realized the following figures •—
&a„T"'.''' '!"'^'^ ('^" ^"^'^'-''P). -W for 95 cents $.313 50
ChaflF feed 10 00
500
Less coat... $328 50
131 75
Profit
$196 75
No ^ '
for W »At:f r„ orXrtg3 ^L'^S' ^T/ ''''' ^^'^^ "^^^ ^^ -t
removed as possible, all before the 10th of Jdy ^^^h"^ ^' '''°" ^^^^' *he hay was
Rent— 14 acres at $5 per acre .
^'loughing-three horses, ten days $70 00
Harrowing and cross-harrowing 30 00
^ang-ploughing, three days . 600
q^'y.'"?!^'' *^a"owing, three days .■.".■ 7 50
Seed, 21 bushels, at $1 . . ^ 7 50
Keaping, binding, and hauling 21 OC
Marketing and threshing ... 32 00
20 00
-, Cost
Crop realizing 330 bushels wheat, at «1 20 $194 00
Straw and chaff ' ^^ *^-''" 3396 00
20 00
Less cost . . . $416 00
194 00
Profit
These estimates are madp nn +i,„ i i 1^ $222 00
chargeable, as the lanrprTdutd'Lo; tt'^prewL^t* °"^^ ^"^ ^^^^'« -"* -
thus avoided. ^ ^^^ previous year, a summer fallow being
r^!^'^^^^^^^ it is defective in
for salt and plaster in the first • for wb^f^i ^he second table and charging only
sented in the statement or not,' it a not to be Si' V^' '''''I'''^^' y''^' r«p"«
farm without manure, or could realize 33 £,lpl?PP'^'^ '^ good a farmer left his
manutg",Tont te^af rpf ^^^^^^^^^ -.'allow, cultivation, or
whe^^th^e history of a whole roLKsb^eenlirer ''"' " ^^^"^ "^«^« '^PP--*
tions, gave Jhe VommSsxWs\' m'oJLj^^^^^^^^^ r?!!*^ «^ ^" ^^« °P-a-
described his systei. of rotation and SsTnaS^P^n^* ^^.^^s experiences and
mentioned, as shown bv the crnns ob/nini^l • • T"l*^- ^'^ ^a™, it may be
result of several years VsteS? and tTo^I Trn' ^'^^' '*"*^°^ cultivation^ the
under-draining. Tor purposes c'f rotlt on the ^^'S °«™P^«*«
The following are his figures :— ^ divided into ten-acre fields.
STATEMENT OF ROTATION ANn HT w * xr..T » x ^
Tha f^l7^ • 1 . -^iiuxK Aisu IINANCIAL RESULTS
rotation, on a ten-acre field :- ^''°^^^' ^"'^^"S t^e eight yearsfof the
ExPKxniTURKs-'pio"t;::;ter~^""'^ '^'^■^"'^ -^-'•
Han-owing.'five timT;°^ ^^' *™^«' °"°« ^'t*^ three horses $96 00
M?„ ' -.'ni'f M*"^"' °nce With four horses ^^ 00
Manure, lOo loads, at $1 per load H 60
cost of drawing .... 105 00
spreading the manure . . 18 00
iw 2 00
282
ONTARIO AORtCULTURAL COMMISSION.
Salt, five barrels .
Seed. aOhushelH, at $1.25 .■.■.'.■.■.■■ .■.■.■.;; 05 00
Sowing and working " 2 qq
Harventing, threshing and marketing fio 00
Kent for two years, at $r-, per acre '.'.'.'.'.'.'.'. 100 00
Total exjienditure
KEOKIPT8— 4(iO bushels of wheat, at $1.25 per bushel '.'.'. 500 00
len tons of straw, at $3 per ton " 30 00
$427 00
530 00
Balance of profit
Third mar— Barley.
$103 00
ExPKNDiTUHES-Fall ploughing, six days . $18 00
Cultivating in the spring, and sowing .'] 7 qo
Seed, 20 bushels, at t)5 cents . . , 13 00
Harvesting and marketing An cm
R^-^on.n.x J. :;.:::::;::::::::::::::::::::::: JSS2
lota! expenditure
Reckipts-450 bushels of barley, at 60 cents 270 00
10 tons of straw, at $2 per ton ".'.!!!'.'.'.!!!.'.'. 20 00
128 00
Balance of profit
„ „ Fourth, fifth, and sixth years— Grass.
KxPKNDiTUHKs— Seed $7 00
Harvesting, at $1 per acre ...!!...!!!!",!!' ". 30 00
Marketing, three crops, (iO tons, at $3 per ton ! 180 00
Kent of land 1 ko no
rp . 1 ,.. 150 00
iotal expenditure
Rkckipts -fiO tons of hay, at $1 1 jier t()u . ." .' .' ' .' .' .* .' .' .' .' ." ." .' ' ' ' .' " .' ' " .' ' ' ' .' goO 00
290 00
$162 00
Balance of profit .
Seventh year — Feas.
ExPENpiTURES— One ploughing «jg qq
Cultivation and sowing !!.!!."'!!! 7 OO
Seed, 20 Ijushels, at 80 cents 16 00
Reaping and threshing in on
Marketing .' .' .' ! ! .' .' I ! ! .' ." ! ! ! '. ! ! ! ' ! i2 50
Rent of land " " 50 qq
Total expenditure
Receipts— 250 bushels of peas, at 60 cents .............'.'.'.'.'..'. 150 00
10 tons of pea straw, at $4 per ton 40 00
367 00
660 00
$293 00
Balance of profit
Eiyhth year — Oats.
Expenditures— Preparation of land, including cultivation $25 00
Seed, 25 bushels, at 42 cents per bushel 10 00
Reaping and threshing .......,,, 22 50
Marketing 27 00
Rent of land ...................'..... 50 00
Total exjienditure . . \ J
Receipts— 750 bushels of oats, at 42 cents per bushel. .' . .' ." [ ." .' .' .'.'."" .' .' 315 oO
15 tons of oat straw, at $4 per ton 60 00
113 50
190 00
$76 50
135 00
Balance of profit
The following is a summary of eight years' operations : —
Receipts. Expenses.
375 00
$240 00
First and second years— fallow and wheat $530 'OO
Third year — barley 290 00
Fourth, fifth, a.id sixth years— grass 660 00
Seventh year— peas 190 00
Eighth year— oats ' . ' 375 00
$427 00
128 00
367 00
113 50
135 00
Profits.
$103 00
162 00
293 00
76 50
240 00
Totals $2045 00 $1170 50 $874 50
GENERAL FARMING— WHEAT CULTIVATION. 283
year''** *' * ^''''^* ^''°"' *®" *"°' '" ®'^^'* ^®*" ''^ «874.50, or aiO.93 per acre per
However satisfactory this statement as a whole may be, as an exhibit of u-^cess-
ful operations, it is evident that the particular calculation as to the cost of a 1
wheat-growinK would if accepted by itself, be most unfair to that cereal Yovit
includes 1) the 308t of the land for two years instead of one ; (2) all the c Itivation
of the fallow ; and (3; all the manure required for the whole rotaUon *'""'''''*'""
anr« I; n-*''°TnA*i!'^^u'^f' ^^^ T^"®** "^^^ ^^^'^ ** *» apparent cost of over «42 per
S; J ! n^"^ 400 bushels o wheat at a cost of 3427, or rather more than $1 00 per
bushel and except that, being a Hne sample, it was sold for seed, it would oroba
bly. notwithstanding the heavy crop, have been only marketable at a Cs ThJ
a e'of'Teed wliIV^Kr *'' '^" '^"^?i ^*' '°^ * ^''^P "^^ ^^'^^ bushels toThe
acre ot seed wheat, 810.03 per acre would be a very poor return indeed It is
clear that from Mr Gibson's figures, useful and instructive as they are in many
respects, it will not do to take the cost of raising an acre of wheat' aSoughTv
may help to an approximation. ' •*""""»" "ley
i« Ji^ar''^'"*^'' *''''*^°/^''." *°'"® of wheat, as stated by the witnesses just mentioned
.8 114.86, or some $2.70 more than the average of the written replies Thst
owing probably to the fact that the witnesse8%xamined were generallv men of
rather liberal views and deas, and who gave, as a rule, the results of thcrwn
personal experience, while the written replies represent local averages in n ^s"
instances. BesK-es, it was observable that a tendency to omit some charge i
ot- ™rs"sup'p;Sd.^'^'^"'^"°"' ""* ^"^^^^^"^"*' ^'^^^"^'^ - reconsiderSf th:
With the most thorough cultivation, with the most liberal use of manure in-
c uding salt, gypsum, bone-dust, and phosphate, Professor Brown, in a rotation
charges the wheat crop with a cost of $20.85 per' acre, but this, for Olsons stated
by the Professor, does not include any charge for rental or interest of money
nv T/?^'.^' w\'* '^^ I'^r "^^'^"'^ °' "^'^*^^' *" ^^^ labour, and the manurrHs
probable that the cost of raising an acre of fall wheat, by Ihat passes generally as
fairly good farming, is from |15 to $16 per acre, and of sprincr wheat from $13 to
$14 per acre. That, if charged against the ave'rage yield, iS either caS would
show, as regards fall wheat, reckoning a dollar as the average value, a net profit of
$0 per acre, and on spring wheat a loss of from $1 to $2 per acre, allowing nothing
in either case for the straw-to which Mr. Gibson attaches a val le Jis^pi S
Mr. Andrew Elliott appraises it (including chaff) at $1.50 per acre ! while Profeso^
section. ^' "* ^^ P'' *°"' "■ P"''' '^ ^'^"^'^ P^'^b'^^^y command in Ws
«n Many farmers however, insist that straw is of no appreciable money value, and
so le^ve It out of he account altogether, or mentally balance it off against maAure
which they place in the same category. It is obvious, however, that by no such
mexact methods can true results be reached, and that the money value of a tS
may be found, not in what it will bring in the open market, but in what it whI
produce by being-not sold but-utilized on the spot. Leaving out for The
tXTttV b.?fffi''V'" "^ spring wheat decline, which, as already remarked, appears
i%! iiA ^ *^- --optional .causes, it must also be remarked that, where from
$15 to $16 per acre is expended judiciously and systematically in fall wheat cultur™
t would be most unfair to assume that only the low (all over) average of nineteen
to twenty bushels per acre is harvested. For, if the highest returns are not ordT
nanly obtained at that outlay, it is, doubtless, the men who do thus systematically
and judiciously expend such a sum per acre who are familiar with a yield of twenty^
three bushels, twenty-five bushels, twenty-six bushels, or even more per acre ^
METHOD OF WHEAT CULTIVATION.
finn^o'Sf^i'M''''°P ""^ T "^"°h importance, and as difficulties attend its cultiva-
tion to which other cereals are not exposed, it may be desirable before alluding?o
n OnfS. "It *^' ^T'""^ method pursued in connection with wheat cropping
m Ontario, and to ascertain, if possible, what defects require to be remedied in
284
ONTARIO AORICULTUHAL COMMISSION.
ar?LinJfT^n^* ^'''^^- ^'^'^ ^^'"'*' "'"y ^^ «"* considered. In Simooo
according to Mr Drury, about one-third of the fall wheat is sown on pea-st Tb «'
Jnfv'nal^iairflf ' "," ^^'-'.-^f*- «« ««»* ^-p. The systen, of drilliSrif^yot
only partially followed, but where it is adopted Mr. Drury notices "the wheat
yheHos'siafjh *""■/" '^ bettor condition tlfan that which was sown brii "
I aHr hnfl f K.* f f ^""lu ''^^''."^ "J *>*'** "" <=*" ''« f""'"! anywhere in the whole Province
„^ '^^'^ P«°P^« «^ the section Mr. Drury repreae-.its have a good soil, thev have also
among them some good farmers of whom Mr. Drury is an excellent specimen but
they are every year risking thp loss of their crop for want of shelte? andr«Iecth?^
itWoVtf thte^'lh^n^^^^^^ -'- *^«^ -^* *° uUr'd-rttS
"There are farmers in my district," says Mr. Dnirv "who hbII nvor,, k„.u i t
as=.^:^-LV;rti::K^^^^^^^^
Now this is in a district where, Mr. Drury says, the Average yield of fall wheat
18 twenty-five bushels to the acre. What in such a district mi|ht not be done with
replanting, m the place of clearings, to protect the . ops. and I thorough system of
p-e-^In'gTsZThltt^S." '' ''' ^^^^^"^ "^ -'''''-' «^-^' -^^^ ^' *h« --
Mr. Drury's rotation is as follows :—
"After breaking up a sod first sow oats, let that be followed bv roots or fnlln™, +i,
wheat, then peas, then barley, oats, or spring wheat, and therseed down w^>li Ih V^" '""^
difference'-' "'^ '''^'' "'^^ ""' '''''' '° '^' P^^^'°"« y'^'' ^ ^^^'^ th'il^oTwould IndZ
Mr. White, of Charing Cross (Kent), says of his section •—
"The breadth of fall wheat sown has increased very much. I think the only effect of the
OENERAL FABMma-WHEAT CULTIVATION. jgr,
[r.l?t'hter Js^ "•f' 'I.. ."o» on .h. wh.., „,„
the winter we have no trouble with it «l^v!.l } *i .T' ",}^' **'^eat here (/ets through
were Hheltere.1 by .leL fZJt. and ll mafur^d welf" "*"*' '^''•""^"' ^'^'^' «' ^»'«»t ^ «ver S
and ith^ln:\lry'^:iir^^^^^ *" "«"}« "'-» " » -ed-be-l for fall wheat.
In this part of the country there is verv ifH« ..?A.)^ / n ''.w*» J"?* ploughed over onco.
«™^n ';n -tubble land, or Clover timed ^over '^'I-^^'ng. The fall wheat i. chiefly
so much land r.?u"bLr TkL'ow'ofreTwheT or'!."''**"".^.^ ''«,"«'5 ^^^ ^ '"«! "»» ,ow
average yield of 40 to 45 bu8hol8Derac™Mrf ? ''^5 methods of cultivation brought an
on stubble or clover sod. I th„k if wheat ^ In !^^ "mY'^II' *", J"1' P'""Kh«d over once
twice, and manured." ^" " ''°^" *"» stubble, the land should be ploughed
Mr. White adds •—
There is some along the river,
the^rtrZZittt'^^^^^^^^ i^ '-evident the farmers are doing
"we have no trouble with it " ff iT^ ^'*f *^'?'^?^ the winter," says Mr. White,
the forests needed to reSn ihe snottd sheltfr t£« f^*^' ^'"*?''' ^' '« ^''^^^^
to protect it. In Kent son «fr«!^iT *• ■ ■ *^® P^*"* *•"« "« ^"nger standing
as would be desirable In the ne? n Z 'fl,^"'"^ Z' ^f '^^""'^y *" "° -"'^h extent
sod must have a s ekdily exhausSnJ^ Sf P^'P^J^' *"*•""« «'"P *^*«^ <=^oP o"
liberal than is usually the^c^e'^ ' ""^'"' *^^ '"'^""ring be much more
one t^''^Z%:^t'^tia\t'i'^^^^^ P-»--r^ Canada the soil was. at
In Kent, the history of other counties is simply repeating itself.
of -ops, L'trro^rt'nd'Ts'io^Tch^lrpVii^ilt'Ji'S "^"^""^ ^-^Z .'^^^^ l--*^ »« t^e rotation
wiiiU^t^t^tir^^^^^^^^^
eLXLTs^Sfte^fr^^^^^^
might be largely increased ^' ^''' comparatively excellent average yield
Mr.'MfS's'cld'd'dSirn '"^^^^^ ^^^^'^"S'^ '"^f, '^--g- -« !«»«.
noticed. He says furtC !i ' ^ ^^^^ ^""PP'^^ ^way," has been already
spring'lhfa7haJten"ra7s:d in'thafw^f %Zr ""'.r'^'**- «°°^ "^P^ '^^ "oth fall an 1
it off. and then we sow it without ploughTng at aT""'' '^' '^ ''""^ °"^'- *^« '°^ ""^ burns
way.lYalfget good cTo^*'*'"" '^^ '''^' ' ^'^^'^^"'^ '« - "''•^ *»>-* -« just keep cropping
in whe^! ^rZrIinl?c*esln "fe*-/?i ^^^ °"^ ^'^^^ "^r^^ ^^'°»> ^ t^^ned up and sowed
beca>neless. f he reLln I'crTped irtSrwriust%LTttn''"^^^"V'^ «•<,;.. ^.arfj«y
tKrtfdib^fe^^
^"^'^^ J^htfare-n-tta^^^^^^^^ iSf^eH ^^^^^^ '''""
generally cut two cropfof cSlr %& .%°''T^'"''*]^y.*^°P^^ '« turning over clover We
over anff^enerrUysoTwheat Clover sod dl« n^nV*"*^ ^'^^ '"'^""'^ /^^^ ^^^^^ Then we t ,rn it
■!« J
286
ONTARIO AORICULTUTiAL COMMISSION.
drop friim thirty biuhols to tiftoon or twenty is not regarded
fftniwng. " But, aa tlio farmorB," ho gooH i.n to miy, " burn theit
fiR A proof of good
. „ ^. heir straw," uBJng only
tht) ii»h«H i\« uianure, in profuronce to hodding their hogs (which thoy rai»o in large
nundiera; with it, and so providing a Hupi)Iy of tho richest manure known, it may
be inferred the maximum of fall wheat-growing possibilities has not yet been
reached in that section.
What may be done by skill and energy, with far Iuhs advantages than sonui of
the persons jutt referred to are throwing away, waH shewn by the evidence »»f Mr.
T. L. Pardo, of Huckhorn, in Kent. When Mr. Pardo took to the farm it was run
down and exhausted. His wheat crop at first was even ludiiTously small. He, too.
H)W8 wheat on clover, but does not depend on clover of itself to fertilize tho land.
Ho says :—
J .i."l*i'i*V ""!*' ''''i^'"'' "" *•' ^'""'^' '*"''*• ^*'''y *" "pring, which inakeH excellent pasture
In the fall after the wheat has been cut. After cutting tlie i\rnt crop next Heason for hay, 1
plongli the second crop under and how wheat, which nearly alwayt* provoH a Kood crop wh.n
sown after clover. In fact I Cdnnider it the very bent fertilizer we have, and every farnier
who Howo clover largely nniHt Hoon hriua hia farm up to a high Htate of cultivation."
But he adds : —
"I keep about .SO head of horned cattle on my farm, consisting of milch cows and younj,'
stock tmder two years old. I nlco buy a niunl)er of two and three-year old Hteern to Htall-fetW
in winter. The past winter 1 fe<l 24 head of steers, which I fonni! to pay me well foi- luy
gram, besides the benefit which all fanners must derive from feeding all coarse grains, hay or
straw, upon the farm, instead of teaming such away to market."
He has also the benefit of a very large quantity of manure, and by these means
his once impoi-erisfiedfarm yielded him, lad near, 35A busheln of fall wheat to the am:
Attention has already been directed to the system of farming pursued by Mr.
Gibson*, of Markham. How he comes to grow 40 bushels of wheat to the acre is
easily explained. He says : —
"When I first went upon my farm it was a rather peculiar one. It was wet, but not
springy. There were no si)ring8 upon it, but it was; full of frog ponds, and altogether a low,
wet farm, not at all adapted for raising fall wheat. 1 made up my mind that I would make
It a good farm if possible, fit for any kind of crop, although at that time it was almost in a
state of nature, new and full of stumiis. I commenced upon a hundred acres, and I laid out a
plan, roughly indicating what I intended to do.
''From 1847 to 18()() I was engaged in preparing the land for the rotation, and the rota-
tion I deciiled upon was a seven years' rotation. (The witness here produced a plan of hm
farm, showing the location of the drains, and the rotaticm of crops which he had inirsued to
the iiresent time.) My farm, for the pur[)ose8 of rotation, is divided into ten-acre fioMn.
When I got the land into good condition for beginning the rotation, I commenced with a
summer fallow, and it had a beneficial effect on every crop in the rotation. After the sum-
mer fallow came fall wheat ; then barley ; then three years of grass, seeded down ; then peas ;
and then oats. There are two years included in the summer fallow. That is the system of
rotation which I have carried out since 18G0."
Mr. Gibson adds : —
"Before I made the improvements on my farm, it was not worth more than 8.3.00 per
acre. The difference u represented chiefly hij under-drainage. This rotation keeps the land
perfectly clean.
" Before 1 drained my land it was hardly of any use for me to sow fall wheat in it. The
highest average was from sixteen to twenty bushels to the acre ; and when the midge came
round a great many of my neighbours gave up growing fall wheat altogether. But after I
had drained my farm I had almost always good crops of fall wheat, during the time the midge
was at the worst. '
If anything strikes the reader as less thnn entirely satisfactory in Mr. Gibson's
operations, it is an apparent deficiency of stock leading to a sparse allowance of
manure— only ten loads per acre in (the fallow included) an eight years' rotation
—and the necessity for marketing his crops at a place fifteen or sixteen miles from
his place of residence. Barley, peas, oats and hay are all drawn to market at a cost
of some three dollars per ton, and at a large loss of manure the farm would well
bear. Tho farm is admirably under-drained, and intelligently cropped, but, if Mr.
Gibson would be as liberal with his manuring as he has been with hia draining, and.
OENKHA L FA liMlNO- WHK ( T VUL TI VA TION. Wf
tlioir valuS loft .,n t X I h3," U w .. iT r'"'""""^' ""»"".'} "•■«« l'«rtion „f
proiont. In fact tl o , n t ^11^. . ^'"' """■" »<'''t'fy"'K ^''^n it i. at
-xcito,!. Frmiao. « rmn kH ^l ' ''r'''^. °"""r"«""-'^*" ^'^f' the «xp«ctati„n.
U.H i..ci.„e.i to aZ: tr;i.^;';;.f;, ixr ^"'"'""' '^" ''"'•"^" ^^ ^" -- -
Mr J«,„o8 Hlacl. (L.nark) luul thu following t.. r .lato. Ho said •_
Last year it w.w ajm. wi„ ^ kme^ I mv'o ml ll?*^?.- y'«''«'' •*'"'"«''«'- t" th« acre,
protect the wheat I attril.ute the fai „r? .f f M i' 'l'" "'"■"' '"' '^'"'^ "^ '"V '""•'" »"
protection. Where any 1.11^111 Ktv.M.. '" •"" '''"■^' '," '""; '"''-•^'"" ^" th« ^'"'""ce ..f
when I Krew it fonnerly. Zh Teta b i v .. t? '" "'""." "'"'l^'";"'' *-■'"••""■• '''''" ^«" «'""*»,
^t.Hl ..ther ene.nieH K'-t i^t.^it T » waHLv n 2'''''" 'M'j';*'"'* "^ I"-<.tecti an,l the weevil
Hat and l„w. " *' ""^""t"*" "r eightoea year* ago. My land in uumtly
... „„ tl,e hl/h, ,.l Trio, ,°rt rl ,1 C," ''''Vr ■ ''>' ""r"' "'"' "I""" '""'""y
"""'"■•' -™ -'»'"«' A,rlt„S, ..'v:;:,';^,!,';:"::; .r-„;:r;;;;f,fflr.
wheatt;e%l£'HTedl?wn\vS't'L"^irtT,rVT/ ' .T" 'r^"' *'?''^' "-'"-• '^"'' -- «?"•"«
keep it in .rans two t<, th^e ^rn and cut on "tT, 2 ton'TVr'*'' ""'^ "'"V^^ ''"^"- ^e
We keep tie land in pasture ^then 'for aSt teeVearl'-Yt th^SVe^b^^.^lil'^. ^" '^"'^°-
But now as to Mr. Coclirane'a fall wheat crops. Ho says •_
Hutchinson has answere.l best Whife th" bulfoX^n^T ''".* ""'; ^'■'' ^^''^^^ * ''"* "^
of fall whe.-vt was uniformly succeLf 1 Where hi, ■^" **"'' ""'"^ '''**' "landing, my crop
was injured to some extent I have Used from 10 nf^r. '"=■""''" ^^'^ ^""Pli"''^ *he wheat
was on one particular acre. The fiek 7A acres a^erl.td 4sf \''^' Ti ""^ M'^' ^^'^ Hi' ^""^els
my farm is a rich clay loam ^vith clay sutoU ' ^ ' ^^^ ^"'^'^' *" *^" ■«"•«• ^he soil of
strip four airis long'"as b'u;l!:d"r:cenUv "ntiJt"^"^^, '^"f,^.?^ *^« '"* ^" "^"^ -•^«- b"t a
^ " The fall wheat blows bare and fre'^'zes ^n I ™Tn ^^'^ ''«'•««, ""^h 1««« productive,
four stocks. I invariably lose the crorXV i'^so Jo^^Sle're Znel^S, ^'"^ ^"^* ^"'
ProJ?5e?ftT m-oTecttn' blamed because his wheat is killed, for he very wisely
CSfthe'^cond^^^^^^^^
for SUCC.S neglect some one thi^^gtrout'^t^^^^^^^^
Mr. Macfarlane another Lanark farmer, has a different story to te^il He slys :-
wheat aTdm?2t:hiTf'"Sl'^^^^
year I sowed no spring wheat In tLt vear' ft f " ^^^\^1'^} ^^.^ ^"^" " ^*'>'>''«' ""^ '<«*
P lug wneai. m mat year the fall wheat did well, producing a fuU average.
lir
m
288 ONTARIO AGBIGULTULAL COMMISSION.
wh'elr^ bStils' ''"•"*^ '' ^°"^ ' P^'* » ^'^^^ «-<iy 1-- '^nd part clay. I have grown
covered, and did not kw. In the spring it wlr^lfgoTrir iKtrdTn'y inX^^^ ^t
It appears to the Commissioners that an event of tb ^ kin/i «,»«4..-^^ j
of more attention than the melancholy gaTe of "he bereaved S^^^^
i^mg vegetation. If the secretaries ofiwnship agricTuVal S^^ tould ohir""
Mr. Noble, of Haldimand Township, cays in the same connection :-
" Twenty years ago, fall wheat yielded thirtv-sev^n hnRhpla f« f,.. t .
Clawson Aheat yielded me onlvtwpntvfri,,,lK„rl o"snel8 to tne acre. Last yt.-"
peot ot men so able »nd inlelligent th.l the' Vm make f,U J J """* '° ""-
Sifo^dltt/edr -^-^^^ '^ -^- iy'^^V^^'^S^^'^^Z
says^- ^- ^^•*^^^*°"' ^^ Clarke, Durham, has just the same experience. He
of llley:.lX'in,Zt'^^lZii'^^^^^^^^^ ^ limited extent in .hia district
stitute, but ^f late years we havrbeen raidng Larfey The flll.Tof .h ^ f1i^* ^''^. f f r'"'
pretty general. c<=u laiaing oaney. 1 he failure of the fall wheat had been
crop;'1tVad:ra\Vn?ptr;eitl^
failure, owing to the crop having beerwinter-kiS/- ^ ^'^'' ^"'^ *^' ^""""^^ -"^^ ^
If, as the forest was cleared, either shelter belts had boon ^^u ^
planted, Mr. Middleton-who under-drainsV maLre tolerablv w^^ ""^ *'"''
to meet the special requirements of the soi" wiSTrtSzYn^^^^
more trees he might have been growing good crops o/Slfyt^to^^^^^^^^
IS it too late even now to make the experimtiit - "u t.us uay. i>ior
Mr. David Smellie, of Vaughan (York), says of the wheat crop :-
" Fall wheat has been cultivated on my farm fo^tv vpars mnro ^,. u=. t
time when my crops were a groat deal larger than thefare at C.ent I think fehrp"^'' *^'
tl Zfl tSThS i;"af;g?47e^al ^^Z^^ *^«^ ^''^^^^S^!^ ^^^^
the dSSnii; thfSo"p's."7h:'ro^ t*& 2ltSnir""*'i^^ ^s^^ ^'^ ^^^r »* ^^^
There is no doubt ^hat a shel^.ered Lid will produce mS^r«, A fli^^ *''" '''"pP "/ ^**«**-
mine that is shelteied by a piece of bushT I have obae^ved ^never ^n A°f' ^T'"^: , ^ ^'^'^ "^
so much as the others." ' ooserved never fads at all, or at least never
Ml. Smellie !8 an advocate for, and carries out under-drainim?
a rotation which he describes as follow.'; ;- -
He also adopts
*' My rotation is something ?,d follows : First vear snmTr-j.. *aii
-seed down with timothy, afid let it lie tK JIaVa Tg^aTs ft 'p^^f oKe'lLTa
GENERAL FARMING— WHEAT CULTIVATION. 289
Norway spruce shelter belts, and gone extensively into ornamentS tree plantTn J^
riSely. aUeast, a fS^^ " *° '^ '^^"' *'^ '^" "^^'^^ ^'^^P -" «*^1 ^«.
fro^f^ato^^o'^.Ti^^ol ^^^ * ^'^^-^ «P--e to relate
set wSer-kmed unti/fh^'^^f 'f '^*' "^"t «^'''^ ^"^ extensively was, that it was very apt to
ever^^sycwTaf "f^^^ ^J ^''' ^«"g^*^5*« b««n ™ade by others. It is not, how-
ever, 80 clear that tne fall of snow was the cause of the wheat periahine Wheat
cuTti'atbn tKu ""f "r^^'*!^ T'^ '' P^^""^''^^ sensitirto th^e eS o
still suftcient to protect the crop, while the clearings are larger, and the cultivation
BuT^fclv wnr.r'^'f t to successful wheat-growing are kll now in ?ts favour.'
liut the day will come, if the shelter is not preserved, or gradually replaced by a
f aTheir farr s^'TfhinT/h "^'^^bourhood are beginniW to find out^the want of shade trees
to ttm for noiluJg.'' "^ """"''^ ^^'^^ ''''' ^"'^ ^"'^^ '^'^^^ °^ ^^^"^ « *he trees were given
It is not difficult, with the examples afforded by the evidence to discover
£ ^LbH^ " "^'l *^' «h-*r"^T ?^ '^' wheatVowers of Stario consT*:
No doubt there are a large number who, like the witness from Essex are "crop
pmg away^' wheat after wheat, and every year being content to get less wS
because it happens to be " convenient " to sow it. But the Commissioners bdieve
vs thev oS r''^''"^^! proportion of the farmers of Ontario do endeavour, as fir
<is they can, to carry out somet^nng like a systematic rotation of crops, while others
are perhaps almost unconsciously, falling into a similar plan or pracS There
Itt^ moi-; ba^n vt'l''^ *^' ^'^? i '^' ^*^T"= ^"dustryT and the'^demand fJr fat
cattle, moie barn-yard manure is bein? made and applied to the land, although
still often m insuftcient quantities, and that the applicp.tion of artificial fertilizers
8 becoming more common. The use of the drill, and other mechaS anpl ^ces
IS also very general, leading to a better method of cultivation, and the various
op^ations preliminary to the growth of the cron. Mnr« .\n^}l w ! ]n 1"?"^
progress, is the under-draining of farms. Forest sheltVr 7or'4V wheat^rops'ia
becoming more appreciated, and while clearing is still going on in many pkceJ
and replanting for slielter purposes has hardly begun anywhere, still farmersTe
fp"
290
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
II
becoming more careful of their remaining bush and asking how they may replace
what has been lost.
SOMETHING WANTING.
But the weak point even among the most intelligent is a tvant of finish. Just
as Canadian butter is disadvantaged by good and bad being packed in one tub ;
just as Canadian apples are cheapened by careless, packing ; just as Canadian salt
has been discredited— although of unchallenged purity — by want of drying ; so
is the fall wheat crop frequently lost or injured because some one thing needful is
neglected. In one case there is a too sparing use of manures ; in anotner, under-
diaining is omitted ; in another, where everything else is attended to, the crop
perishes f(jr lack of shelter. Too often in this way, after much expenditure of
labour and capital, is the homely adage of Mr. Hall, of Liverpool, about "putting
in at the spigot and letting it run out at the bunghole," found to apply to others
than Canadian shippers of stock. The man who leaves one essential to the pro-
duction of a good crop wanting, where every one is vital, is as wise as he who, to
protect himself from robbers, goes to bed with every means of access barred and
bolted except his front door. The want of vigorous nourishment and good cultiva-
tion which leaves the plant a prey to enemies it might otherwise despise ; the soil
unrelieved of superfluous moisture, so intimately associated with rust ; the unpro-
tected field on which the north wind swoops down with fury, driving the covering
of snow away first, and withering up vegetation afterwards, are every and each one
an open door at which disaster may enter no matter how all may otherwise seem to
be guarded.
The answer will, however, perchance be that many have not capital for such im-
provements. No doubt this is true in a large number of cases. The great differ-
ence in the means and advantages of wheat growers, as well as the very different
natural conditions of the widely-separated tracts of country over which the wheat
growing area of Ontario extends, are some of the causes that make all averages or
attempts at striking an average so very uncertain and unsatisfactory. But, if a man
has not capital enough to embark jn one line of business he may be wise in turning
to another, and one of the finest features of agriculture is its diversity. If wheat
growing does not pay, it is better to give up growing wheat. No faruer should be
content to make only four or five dollars an acre on his staple crop. Nor is wheat
growing in these days a necessity. It is agreeable to grow one's own breadstuffs ; it
is convenient, too, to have a crop that can be marketed at any moment for cash at
the world's market rates. These, and other reasons, will always induce farmers to
grow a certain amount of wheat, just as they may plant apple trees or grape vines
or keep one or two choice dairy cows even if they pay little attention to butter-
making. But, discussed as a simple economical problem, the man who for want of
means, or by reason of an unsuitable soil and situation, cannot realize ten dollars
an acre on his wheat crop, over and above all charges, had better turn his attention
to other crops or departments of his business. How many farmers have ever stopped
to inquire seriously what a bushel of wheat actually costs them, is doubtful. It is
hoped that with the discussion now awakened, they may be more prone to " figure
up " results than hitherto. And if they find they are losing, either by paying more
for their wheat than it sells for, or are missing the opportunity of doing better by
sticking to wheat, then t..eir good common sense will soon find a solution of the
difficulty.
Reasoning upon very obvious historical facts, Ontario will never become one of
the great wheat producing countries of the world. The centres of wheat growino-
have moved rapidly westward, and in the memory of persons now living, the Indus"
try has well-nigh deserted Eastern Canada and the Eastern States of the Union,
while it is not even to Illinois men now look for the wheat supply of the future!
Not that all the advantages are on the side of the prairie region wheat greyer.
— -_ — 1 c ...... J.., J. ..,,..!,,!!!, „,. ~if<,int^, iOugn mcunuus ciii;
sure to prevail. Cultivation, in the sense in which that word is understood even
here, is little thought of. The exhausting process will go steadily on, diminishinff
OENEBAL FABMINQ— SPRING WHEAT.
291
in a few years the average yield. Damages by b i that sweep with remorseless
fury, over the vast plains, at times bring ruin „ few hours, and the breeding
ground of the Rocky Mountain locust and the ures of the dreaded chinch bug
are, as entomologists tell us, ever present soui f terror to the western wheat
grower. And, where all the requisite condition? success are secured, the cultiva-
tion of a certain acreage of wheat by the Ont .lo farmer may, it is seen, be ex-
tremely remunerative. It is very doubtful indeed if it will pay ordinary market
prices — say a dollar a bushel — to grow twenty bushels of wheat at a cost of |15 to
$16, or 75 cts. to 80 cts. per bushel, but no one will question the wisdom of the
farmer who, by expending f20 can raise 35 to 40 bushels on the same land. And
it is just in the additional outlay of the four or five dollars supplying the thing or
things wanted to assure success, that the whole difference consists.
SPRING WHEAT.
Spring wheat has been of late literally a failure all over the country. Isolated
cases of a good yield there have been, and, rather curiously, the finest crops seen by
the Commissioners were on a newly-cleared farm in Muskoka, but, as a rule, the
crop has been a loss to the growers. The most curious circumstance is that the
collapse has taken place in most cases within the last three or four years, at least so
say the witnesses, although it is fair to observe that memory is often misleading as
to dates, and statistics are usually wholly wanting. Checking memory by statistics,
when there are materials for such a comparison, it is sometimes seen how memory
is at fault. For instance, Mr. Walter Riddell gives evidence as follows : —
" T am growing both spring and fall wheat. The average yield of the former for forty
years has been thirty-two bushels to the acre ; for the last three years it would be about twelve
or thirteen bushels. I cannot account for the falling off in the yield. It does not appear to
yield grain in proportion to the straw, and is subject to attacks from the Hessian fly and the
midge ; but apart from these pests there has been an unaccountable falling off in the yield.
The rust has attacked the wheat extensively this year.
"Fife and Club wheat are the standard varieties, but I have also tried the White Russian
and others. The newer varieties have proved very little better than the others. I have
noticed that the wheat fails on new as well as on old l%nd."
Now Mr. Riddell's statistics show the yield of spring wheat to have been in his
case as follows, commencing with 1879 and going backwards : —
Bushels.
Bushels.
Bushels.
Bushels.
1879 ..
.... 9|
1876 ..
... 12
1873 ..
.... 91
1870 ..
.... 13
1878 ..
. . 8
1875 ..
... 19
1872 ..
... m
1869 ..
.... 26
1877 ..
... 20J
1874 ..
... m
1871 ..
... 13
1808 ..
.... 11
The average of the last three years was, as Mr. Riddell correctly states, about
thirteen bushels to the acre, but it is necessary in fact to go back — for not three
but— rnearly thirty years to find Mr. Riddell in the enjoyment of really large crops
of spring wheat, as the following figures show : —
18.50
1851
Bushels.
. . 25
.. 27
1852
1853
Bushels.
.. 32
.. 22
1854
1855
BuBhela.
.. 27i
,. 27
Going still further back, however, to the earlier times of Mr. Riddell's record, it
will be seen that matters were not so favourable as they afterwards became ; as, for
instance, the yield was : —
1841
1842
Bushels.
.. 15
.. m
1843
1844
Bushels.
.. 29
. . 20
1845
Bushels.
. 18i
Thus in 1877 the crop was as good as it was in 1844, and considerably better
than in 1841, 1842, or 1845, and, bad as it was in 1879, it was equally bad in 1873.
xiio average ui i,;ii; luur years xofu-ro y wuuiu ou x^ig uusiicis, aiiu oi Lile luUr
years 1867-8-9-70-1 it would be 13| bushels, no very startling difterence. While,
in the very early days of Mr. Riddell's farming, there may have been causes for
292
ONTARIO AOBICULTOBAL COMMISSION.
second-cJaas. This accounts, in part, for the great falling off in the crnn» " «
exact, at all events, to some general conclusions ^' ^"^
Mr. Hobson, of Mossburgh (Wellington), says :—
I thhl^^^hrcrse^'a^E^tllVX it has failed a good deal,
tilled lands that it c^ull "orhiv/irutn fV. *t ^'^"'/ ^ on the bes
tillage. We could not finTout anv Ztt!fu? *^^ ^^""^ ^T^ ^"^F ""*. ^r from imperfect
rust Fife was the Sety of sprrng^Xat "hTefi;^^^^^ r"'*^'"^ ^^' * blight-^not a
neighbourhood. On the best Ulled llnds T f h j^ wiT^ ^* formerly grew very well in our
eighteen bushels to the acre7and it 1^^ often K 1 lif^fr^"*^^ ^*11°* ^«° '""^^ ^elow
general average of all the farms t W hlJ^ a^ ^',"1^ '^°^t.i ^"* ^^en you take the
with other causes of failure beddesthrbfeht ^.h "^'^fi^ ^S^' .^« ^'^> °f «o"r«e. troubled
The general average of wVeat" t uc\' lotf ttt ^ sLtyTi^ a'jo ^°' ""^^ '^'^'^ '"^'^^^•
the FU^^;S:tts'grt^rcle^^^^^^^ tUlageiUs notorious that
bushels have been obtaiLd iHs I nVont „ ' 7 *^«,?«8t tilJ.ed farms, eighteen
=ts=r JS^ &M Hsr :„vsi. r;:
tioned by oLer witSses Vnd not In *^ fi?"?.^ Treadwell, a name not men-
and breaking down with tL ord'nary riins tn^^v h«f„^''°h^"f *i ^^..^^^ «t?^ being weak
the last two or three years the XL of the Xt^-^^ attacked with a blight, fiuring
days. The average yield of the SpS^ Treadwplf h^t Jj^*' Tf ^^^^oyed in two or threl
variety jus?cTm^ing'£"u1l in t7^^^^^^^^^^ Thf White Russian is a new
next two or three vears With ml ft^ « '• m *."'?,'? ^'" ^« the leading wheat for the
I do not know anjother name "ppl ed fo tht wh?.^'> ^^' l^^^'"5'•« succfssful, however
fall wheat very mu'ch. being ToarsTsLong,^^^^^^ '' '^ " ^'^'^'^ ^^^^t' ^"'^ ^^^^'"bles
an ^ceJi^t'effecf in"stiffent? th"''^^"'^' the application of salt to the land has
raise twent^-ttet LndrTal^b^ulrt: tL''^rTr\;7^i1f'S'Srl^
In Kent and Essex no attempt to intrndnn« now rr..;^f7j ".. 1^. - i v .;,
GENERAL FARMING-PROFESSOR BROWNS ESTIMATES. 293
Ontario and York counties the Arnautka-probably LScaf wTth the wVd SZ^
wheat- has been tried, but not with very large results in noint of vJ^l? n • ^ !
rough class of wheat and met at first with nff avour f roTmnier/ b,^^ ^
be growing more used to, and consequently less7ejudiSd ^aSut *^'^ "'" *"
PROFESSOR BROWN'S ESTIMATES
OOST OF WORK ON VARIOUS CROPS.
Common ploughing yof stubble
Common ploughing of sod
Gang-ploughing
Harrowing, once ..!..'.
Cultivating, once (grubbing)'.' ".".*.".' .".'.' ."
KoUing, once
Horse hoeing, once .'.'!..'.'
Hand hoeing, once, taking "aii average ,... ' '"
Drilling, with single plough ..
Root sowing, writh drill
Grain sowing, with drill ."*
Hauling and spreading farm-yard manure, 15 load's'. '.'.'.
Sowing artificial manures .... .
Harvesting wheat, oats, or barley, includi'ng mowing.'binding,"
shocking, and hauling *'
Harvesting peas, pulling and hauling ..'.'.'".'.'.
loppmg, harrowing, and hauling mangolds or turni'pV '.
fulling, topping, and hauling carrots
-f loughmg, gathering, and hauliwg potatoes .,.^.'.V.'.\'.'.'.'.'..\'.
ROTATION— MANURES.
$1 50 per acre.
2 00
75
20
1 00
20
50 "
2 25
75 "
35
25
3 75
25
2 25
1 75
8 50
8 00
5 60
" The rotation, after breaking up the sod. is •— 1st neas • 9nH fall i.,Ko„4. • i
pasture according to conditions; and, 7th year, pasture ''^°^^'^ ' ^^^' ^-y J ^th, hay or
250 lbs of rir2wlTTgipPr";r3JS/b?'^.."' "^T^r^ "r^^ ^« 'k^- «^ ^^^ d"«t.
re^l. pnictice to use the^^SS^^?tfca. i rytSTfeXetLtd^rpp^^^^^^
294
ONTARIO AORICULTUBAL COMMISSION.
CROPS INCLUDED IN THE CALCULATIONS.
" The actual produce under the rotation for the last live years, from 1876 to 1880
inclusive, and the average produce per acre, have been as follows ; —
PoaB 30 Bushels.
Spring wheat 17 <•
Fall wheat .' ." 35 "
Oatfl 41 "
Mangolds ,'. 72.5 **
Turnips 614 "
Carrots ,. .5^0 "
Potatoes , , 165 "
Barley 32 "
Hay One ton and four-fifths of a ton, weighed when it is taken in.
CO!-T AND PROFIT OF BACH CROP,
Fall ploughing cnce, spring ploughing with gang once, grub-
bing twice, harrowing twice, and rolling twice, costs
Manure (farm yard), fifteen loads $19 50
300 lbs. of bone dust , 4 00
250 lbs. of salt 50
200 lbs. of gypsum 50
300 lbs. of superphosphate 4 80
Cost of distributing manures 4 00
Altogether for manure
Horse hoei^g twice, hand hoeine, twice drilling, cost of seed
and seeding, and harvesting
$4 05 per acre.
33 30
15 65
$53 00
Total cost of producing mangolds or turnips
HOW TO CHARGE THE COST OF THE MANURE.
In regard to the only debateable part of this statement —the apportionment of
the manures used — Mr. Brown goes upon the plan adopted by Dr. Laws, of Eng-
land, who has been experimenting in this respect for the last forty years.
Credit J of unexhausted farm-yard manure $15 60
" I of special manure 6 90
$22 50
" allowance for extra cultivation of roots, in vie</ of
future crops 2 50
" half expense of distributing 2 50
Total
To be deducted from . . .
Leaving as the actual cost of an acre of mangolds or turnips .
The value of an average crop of mangolds or turnips, 670
bushels, at 9 cents, is
Profit per aOre
VALUE OF TURNIP TOPS.
$27 .50
53 00
$25 50
60 30
$34 80
If the crop were to be credited with what is left of the tops of turnips, which
are said to be equal to what is taken off the soil in the bulbs, the result would show
a greater profit still, although Mr. Brown does not go that length.
COST OF GRAIN CROPS.
The cost of producing the various grains per acre is as follows : —
Wheat.
Fall ploughing, gang-ploughing, harrowing, seed and seeding,
rolling, harvesting, threshing; and preparing for market.
Debit value of manures, half of residue
Total cost , . . .
Value of average crop of 35 bushels of whtai it $1.15 $40 25
Value of li 'jons of straw at $5 7 50
Wheat, profit per acre ,
$8 35
12 50
$20 85
47 75
$26 90
L876 to 1880
ihels.
n.
': 05 per acre.
80
65
00
iionment of
vs, of Eng-
i 50
2 50
I 50
7 50
} 00
i 50
» 30
[ 80
lips, which
rould show
35
50
85
75
90
GENERAL FARMING— FHOFESSOR BROWN'S ESTIMATES. 295
Oats.
Work as above for wheat $8 35
One-third proportion of manure residue ..,....'....,'.'.'.'. 8 33
„, , Totalcost ,. $iu 68
Value of average crop of 41 bushels, at 40 cents $16 40
Value of 2 tons of straw, at $6 12 00
28 40
Oats, profit per acre $1172
Barley.
Work as above for wheat or oats $8 35
One-fourth proportion of manure residue '.'........'.'..., 6 25
Total cost $14 60
Value of average crop of 32 bushels, at 65 cents ......'. ...'. $20 80
Vaiue of one ton of straw 3 50
24 30
Barley, profit per acre $li 70
Ifay.
Mowing, making, and hauling $1 50
One-fourth proportion of manure residue '.'..'....'... 6 50
Total cost $8 00
Value of IJ tons of hay, at $10 [ ' ' ' ' $18 00
Hay, profit per acre $10 00
Peas.
Sod-ploughing, seed and sowing, and harvesting $5 25
Unexhausted manure 3 ni.
Total cost $8 25
Value of 30 bushels of peas at 60 cents $18 00
Value of IJ tons of pea straw, at $5 .,[ 7 59
25 50
Peas, profit per acre $17 25
Carrots.
Cost of cultivation, as for m&ngolds and turnips $48 86
" harvesting '" g qq
Total cost «5(j gg
Credit unexhausted manures 25 00
Actual cost , «.ji Dg
Value of average crop of 540 bushels, at 15 cents '. '. ....'.'. 81 00
Carrots, profit per acre $491l4
Potatoes.
Cost of cultivation as in other root crops «48 ag
Cost of harvesting '. 6 50
Total cost 051 3g ,
Credit unexhausted manures 25 00
Actual cost ©29 36
Value of average crop of 165 bushels, at 35 cents ........... 57 75
Potatoes, profit per acre j28 39
It is probable that many farmers will take exception to the foregoing apportion
ment of coat, and to some other details. The wjiole plan is, of course open to dis
eu.=3ion, and no one will rejoice more than Mr, Urown to find that discussion on so
296
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
COARSE GRAINS — BARLEY.
Of JL'arllrre/Ir?I>T'' f."'""' ^^*-^^"?^ "°* ^''''^'^ '^« exhauBtively as that
or wneat, was referred to in the examinat on of most witnesses anH aUn ir, 7i
printed questions issued by the Commissioners. ExSpt as rela^ds halv l"'f
appears to be affected in some instances in a simikr man^ef trsnrfnJ'whl^^
{^Zt "^""l^"'" * ^"""**^^ ''"^ ' *"^ P«*»' ^hich have of Tate suKd torllv
from the pea bug ; no special or particular troubles attend the cultivaHon of Jna ^
grains, and, if deficiencies occur, they may usually be traced to H;«wnf / *'"'''
care or interest on the part of 'the Lmlr L seLre alarger y^^^^
growing barley is about the same as that of raising spring wheat and the two .r
the counties, Perth gives the largest average of 33A bushfils • hnr Tif. o .u • ^
old county, and well cultivated generally fwhilfkSS 'suffers bv.n^'*^ '' ""^
raise! ^S7aler^T"ieldTs'EYK^^^^ V' '' '^' ^-t profitable crop we can
bushel for it-whlfhftniriovISe-'stuite eSua^n '«f f ^*^'?^ ''1'-^ ^«"*« P«"
crop. The barley grown in the BaT of Ouinte ttr.V? i At t- u ^^!**' ^^^ it is a safer
American maltsteri' use. ^ ^ district is the highest standard of barley for
the Pritt"time'l am LVt&g'^^^^^^^^^^ ^'T ^il^^' ^^ ^'
years has been to plough sod ttkt off n Jr^^^f wheat. Mv plan for the last three
three times, and sow it nfaU wheat seedFn^do^ ZflT' ^^^^ ^^'ll^' P^?"^^ *he land
clover the following spring. ' ^ ^""^ ^'^^ timothy in the fall, and sowing
wire' wormTbrfvifth^t'^xSpSl"'^^^^^^^^^ "'^" ''■'^^y ^ ^"^'^^^ by the grub or
only found that the resultVor^fpCleafcTp^^lTCo^U'^^^^^^^^ ' '^^^
andteSToS^ft^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^"^« =-" ^^« — ^^ P"- is 70 cents,
who^e^Slb^^^^^^^^^^^
rfermSl^' '^^" '''' *^ ^'^''''^ ^^^ P-«-* fai-tTetnlffs'^^^^^^^^^
Bushels. Bushels.
•••• 18 1871 24 1874
1868
1869
1870
Bushels,
.... 30
. .. 22i
.... 11
1877
1878
1879
Bushels.
... 18
...20
25
1856
1857
1858
Bushels.
37
12
12
1859
1860
1861
Bushels.
28
32
28
1862
1863
1864
Bushels.
.... 27i
,... 32
38
1865
1866
1867
Bushels.
... .30
...33
22
volume. Professor Brown, at Guelph, raise, onts'ti '^LZZX S'.,?
GENERAL lARMINO-BARLEY AND OATS. 207
and values it at 66 cents a bushel, or $20.80 per acre, Mr. Riddell's return
averaged m the 27 years «18.59 per acre. Mr. Graham, with 40 bushels at 70c
would show a return of «28 per acre. A»» he points out, however. Bay of Quinto
barley brings the top market prices. Taking tlie average all over at 26 bushels,
and the average market price G5c., the return is !i!10.25 per acre. Mr. Grahair
gives the cost of barley growing as follows : —
Rent, or interest 84 00
One gang ploughing ..'.*.'. V.V.V.'.V." V. * 40
Two other ploughings ' ' * " 2 00
iS:^"':::::::;:::::::::::::::::::;;;;'"-;;;-^^^^^ ;«o
Com cultivating ' q ok
Harrowing and rolling .....'.'.'...., 60
Harvesting -i SJi
Threshing '.....'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'. o XX
Manure :::::::::;::::::::::;;:;:;:; ISS
$16 00
Mr. Brown puts it at $14.60, but that does not include interest or rental. Mr
Drury fixes It at $13.20. The returns to questions put it at $12.93. On the other
hand, Mr. Brown charges the barley with $0.25 per acre as its share of the manure
expended on the rotation in which it is an ingredient, while Mr. Graham nuts
manure down at $2.50. It is probable that about $14 per acre represents the cost
t Io^ok'"^ ^'''■^^^' "^^it' ^ ^^"^ *'^^-°^^'" average, would leave on the grain a profit
of $2 25 per acre ; on Mr. Brown's estimate, omitting the straw, $6.20 per acre : on
Mr. Riddell 8 former experience $4.59 per acre ; and on Mr. Graham's yield $14
per acre. Of course the straw is to be added for what it is worth to either of these
calculations.
Mr. Drury, speaking of his experience of barley growing in his district, says :—
"Thereisnot much barley grown in the northern part of the County of Siincoe • it is
grown more argely ,n the southern part. Barley, I have no doubt, is an exhaus Ung plant
and takes out of the land more than twice as much food as is required for wheat. We came
to the conclusion, as we heard that other portions of the country were producing fifty or sixtv
oushels of barley to the acre, win e we could only obtain thirty busliels, that we could not
raise It profitably. Some farmers in our district will not raise more than twenty-five bushels
Jrtk'sl^w^/^JlL^r^IbTht.''" *'^ ""' "^" " *'^ ^^""^ "'^^^' *^« ^'^'^ «"^*-" -^
In Kent the profitable cultivation of fall wheat and the low price of barley of
late years has caused the growth of barley to be almost relinquished. On the other
han ., in the front counties east of Toronto, the tendency to grow barley in place of
spring wheat has been greater. Mr. Noble, in Northumberland, gives 30 to 35
bushels as the average, and mentions that as much as 50 bushels to the acre have
been raised. In York too, Mr. Smellie speaks of barley as an important crop,
yielding from 30 to 35 bushels to the acre. ^'
In what may be fairly termed good barley-growing districts, from 30 to 36
bushels per acre would seem to be a yield easily obtained, the crop being subiect
to few casualties, and the profits in those cases satisfactory.
OATS.
The average yield of oats is put down as 33J bushels per acre. The averao-e
price may probably be reckoned at 35 cents per bushel, and the cost of raisin^ It
$9.50 to $10 per acre. " °
In some instances, however, a crop very much in excess of the averac^e, as above
stated, IS secured. Mr. Cochrane, of Kilsyth (Grey), says :—
"The variety of oats that yield the most with us is the old Black Main oat. The kind I
have been using lately is the White Australian. 1 have not sown the Surprise oat lately
because they shelled a great deal in cutting, and they were thick in the skin. The best vield'
mg oat I ever had was what was called the Spanish oat, weighing with me forty-eight and a
half pounds to the bushel, and producing seventv-five bushels tn f.h« n^r^ "
20 - - .
298
ONTARIO AGRICULTVIiAL COMMISSION.
Mr. Drury grows oats largely, raising from 35 to 40 bushels to the acre. The
price obtained from the lumbermen for oats raised in that district wi 1 iiveraj^e 40
cents per bushel. In Kent, Mr. White puts the yield of oats at obou'. 50 bushels
to the acre. In Essex, Mr. Her puts the average at about 40 bushels. Mr. Gibson,
in his rotation, takes credit for 750 bushels of oats on ten acres at 4'2 cents a bushel,
and shows a balance of profit after charging everything (except manure) of 8240, or
$24 per acre. He includes in this 15 tons of oat straw, at $4 pur ton, $00. Mr.
Motherwell, of Bathurst (Lanark), last year raised 60 bush' Is to the acre, the crop
being greatly benefited by the application of some 300 lbs. of salt per acre. Mr.
Peter Clarke, of Montague (Lanark), often gets 50 bushels of oats to the acre.
Mr. Andrew Cochran, of Ramsay (Lanark), has had crops of oats ran^in;» from 20
to 90 bushels to the acre, but puts 45 to 50 bushels as the average. He says : —
"I have grown oats from 20 to 90 bushels to the acre ; the averaRe would be 45 to fiO
bushels. I have ploughed the land well in the fall, cultivated and sowed in the spring, with
good results. I attribute my large crop of oats to this system. We never sow with a tube
drill. It takes 2^ to 3 bushels to the acre of seed. I have never sat down to estimate the
cost of raising any particular crop. "
Mr. Macfarlane, of Ramsay, reckons 35 bushels an average crop, but it has
reached, he says, 60 bushels.
Mr. Kiddell's tables show that, for the five years ending 1879, on his present
farm, the yield of oats has been as follows : —
1875
1876
1877
Bushels.
.. 30
.. 34
. 34
1878
1879
Bashels.
.. 32
.. 36
or an average of 33^ bushels per acre ; and for the last five years of his former
farm as follows :
1863
1864
1865
BuabeU.
.. 44
. . 62
.. 48
1866
1867
BuahelB.
.. 45
.. 40
or an average of 45 4-5 lbs. per bushel per acre — a steadiness in both instances
most remarkable. For the twenty-seven years on his old farm, he says in a note,
the yield of oats averaged 42 bushels per acre, and the price for iho total quantity
averaged 32 cents — a very low figure indeed. Mr. Noble, of Haldimand Township,
puts the average at 30 to 35 bushels, with an occasional yield of 50 bushels.
Professor Brown raises 41 bushels, estimating their value at 40 cents, and that of
the straw, two tons, at $6 per acre — an aggregate return of $28. 40 per acre.
PEAS.
The pea crop, until interrupted by the ravages of the pea bug or weevil, noticed
already in connection with injurious insects, was regarded as a safe one, and highly
popular with the farmers of Ontario. The large demand for seed peas from the
States, the admirable effects of peas used as feed, the use of the straw as the best
of winter fodder, and the benefit to other crops from the cultivation the pea de-
manded, all combined to induce the agriculturists of the Province to devote a large
area to the growth of this product. The pea bug is to-day the only obstacle to
pea-growing.
The average yield of peas all over is set down at 18f bushels to the acre, some-
where in the neighbourhood of twenty bushels being generally about the calculation
of the farmer in ordinary districts, but in others, where the soil and climate are
particularly favourable, much larger crops are raised. Mr. Cochrane, of Kilsyth
(Grey), for instance, says : —
"Perhaps you may think I was not speaking with certainty when I told you I got as
much peas as oats from my land. The fact is, I sowed a five-acre field with pea«, from which
I sold 212 bushels, and I feel perfectly sure I have forty-five bushels to the acre this year from
one field. I grow Second E irly. It is a white pea. I sow about seven pecks to the acre. I
am not aware that Golden Vine is sought after more than Second Early. Twenty-two bushels
{jcr acre was lUy Ycrjr ucab jriciu ui vruiucu r inc.
GENERAL FARMINO-PEAS AND INDIAN CORN.
299
Mr Drury also finds pea-growing very profitable. He aays •_
?h" V'^'''"(J-«" abSaXH S^thTar^t'"""'' '" ''« very profitable. The „.axf •
The Gfolden Vine is the principal varietvi^rnwn ' Tf • *''^'"**'n *""W ^e probably 25 buahela
Blacic or the Murrowfat^poa to any Krelt extent Th- * ''™*" ""*; ^^ ''*v« ""' grown thi
peas 1. about 65 cents, f hi« year I sold nell7n; «i * T^'"''^.* pHce per bushel obtained fw
average. I do not think thereTany pteonrn^l^l"'^^^ ,T^"^ ^ ''''"'* '« » ""•« ab," e thi
loir.^'n r "• ? P"' .^'^^ """t «f rri^ing an acre of peas ^ ' 'in'^ '" J^'-^P-*''"*? the ground for
sown on the spring ploughinir We hava «„ f ii ^^f "■' *^''- ' ^'^ Pe* crop U Kenerallv
unfavourable weather-oStnany%t ™"ch ra^ ' wi'V^'" '"•«P.r?°«Pt ^hat is cau"ed by
hX: ^^^K ' '^r'^ "^v" ""en a pea K i n our disLt Th " "•''^"^- • ^«*'' *••« ^^e best
by wheat. The cultivation of the pea has a h«n«««iii « T^*" ^T °r"P '" """ally followed
Fa'lure'ir.'..*'''' •*"'^/" *«.»<""'J a co';,dition as a s"ummer Sow"" if '.h''"^' ' * ''^•^l^^ «^°P '^
failure, it allows weeds an( thistles to urow un • bT T K ii zl ^ " *,'*^ P"* <"■"? >» a partial
fZv'^ '"/." T"'' '"• >" ''«"««' condit,\,n Van'it was fn tf^''* -r"'' "'""P"^ P«»« >«ave8 the
think, certainly to be sowa with rlr 11. J *l was in before it was gown. Peas oui?ht T
«own by hand." *" "^'^^ ^""''' '"' *hey are better covered in that way than when
Mr. Dickson, in Huron, says :—
W pe'r^en?™ f::rZack.eyfd towLf ''"''l'^' ^T »1">'^«* *»t"»ether. I „sed to ^et
came I raised 30 bu.heliTo thraor^TaTteirthe btV"'" '^"^ "tl^r-J B«^"'-« the pel^^u'
a pea that had not a bug in it. I mav statiVhlf r ^ ^^■'"'T l"* ^*'^ that there was scarcely
bushels of black-eyed Ma'rrowfat pe "^^ ^ht'prttdarsh'w i *'lV'"' ^"^^ '''' **>« ^«""-
^y^Z!':nfSrG^^^^^^^^^ acre as hia
while alluding to the cr^p afso far^£-od bv tL'"h^'' '''i^'T H' ^^ ^^^^^l".
Brown at the Model Farm raises 30 hnS!/..? ,J ® ^"^„^* *'' ^« » faJ^ure. Mr
for pea straw l|5 per ton^nd I? 5? per acre Mr' ^T ^f "' ^'- ^'•«^» «»«ws
cost of raising peas according /^+i ^ • f ' ?^'^- ^^ibson allows $4 per ton. The
averages 311 pert^.^Mr^C/t 'aWrSe^ TT^l.""' *^« cLmis^sionlr's
mhis rotation at $13.50. and ffies ofCwn at mL^ilr-^''''.^'' ^'''««»
for rental or interest as aWinst the cron 'XVk V®''*'^"^.'^® °^ *»y charge
tions referred to is set down at 25 h.Xu ^'°"' '^^'^ V'"'^^ '"^ the calcult
$7.65 per acre ; while MnBrown! whf rtserso'buV '^ T ^.«^^°^« * P^^^^ of
same price, shows a profit of $17 25 per acre wit I' ^^'"^ \^. '"^'^^*» ** ^^e
claims to secure a ton of pea straw it «4 m 5^ '^®' ^?^«ver, Mr. Gibson only
yield If we charge Mr KolTprofitt'^t'h?rA".^'''f 1^ JT ** «« «« ^i^
includes in his account, the diff-exencrbetweTn tb f ^^ ''•n*u^ 7^''^'' ^^- ^''^^on
just about the value of the fivrSels I™ *^Vu" ^e found to consist in
above the crop of Mr. Gibson ^ ^'"^^ '"^"^'^ ^J' ^'•- B^' ^^ over and
as a'^fS i7t"e' It mro7tKrrm "bota's ^r ^ '7 Tb^^ " ^""^ --'-^e
branches of agriculture and thrnrofi?^' Vu ■ i^S^^^^ the stock and cropping
crop itself, it ?nly requires that the wl^^^^^ f °.'i ^r?"^"^ ^"^^^es tS^Ef
growing in a high'deg^ree adtXeo-^te^Ontrfa"!^^^^ '''^'' *° ""^^^ P-
INDIAN OOKN.
A though Indian Com is cultivated in various carts of tb. "p •
on a large scale is chiefly confined to the s3e?n norliS T'T'^^^' its growth
peninsula particularly the counties of Kent and E^e^P^'^Cpnt ^ /Tjh-^estorn
in some places where the land has been bronJbt t f P* .*.^** °^ ^»*e »* has,
seded by fall wheat, it maintains its nonukr,tl/n?b ^'^P^' ^"'^dition, been super-
valuable crop. Mr White Du?s th/S „f ^ " *^^ ^'^^ counties named as a very
at 50 bushels! the value of^L law as fodderarSI ZS ^i *'' ^^^^ '''''' ^^^ ^^^
40 cents, although at the time the OnmS • * ' ^ ^H P"°® ** »" average of
from 50 to 60 cents per'bushl IccordSgrS mfte" t?'"* /'^^ ^^^ '^'^'^
would be $25 against an outlay of 815 Pnrn bL ^'- ^H '"'''"'■" ^''o'" a crop
direct profit to the farmer inZnJr. ^5^"' ^^Jlf?^' " f * value beyond it?
imd, of which a large quantity "rprpn(iv"L".i"^^ T- J- ?*",^" '"^'^'^'^ »" "ch rank
t^
800
ONTARIO AOlilCULTUBAL COMMISSION.
t<jo, id ft vbluftblo propamtion of any land for subBoqiient uio. Mr. Whito thuB
corn-grov " ' " '
refurs to
)wuiK in K«at. ilo says
"I think corn in a very (jootl crop for the fanner« to rui«o when the lan.l Ih Htiitahle It
.loan Koollt.th., land by llieL.HitatlnK Itn LoinK ->>t'v'^t«\r\''''''\*lrm.u.h rir^^e '[
DurpoHeB if It Ih cut before the froHt, an acre of corn i« worth altnoHt an n ucli a« an acre of
l!"y. for feedinK c«.wh an<l oth«r cattle. Next to wheat, com i* perhaps the niOHt profitable
crop grown in ttiis conntry.
hill
' J^he"n ,"lante.Tin hilu. the UWU Hh.mUl be about four feot apart, with three KtalkH to the
Ah to the cost of the crop, th« interest or rental would be about «2.r)0. 1 he co»t of the
Med wouUl bo very. "r';.^-,7;;"(-„;i ' ,,--terabo;.i'fouVacroH in a day, or with a horne planter.
about oil'" buHhel to six acrea.
" A niftti nun olant with a hand planter about four ac.- ^ . . , - «,,
ten..rfif een^rr SowU and harveHting would be about ».^; ttie total coHt about $« an
acre A great deal of our corn in HhipiHHl to people in the ea«t for fee.luig purponeH. Buck-
"''•'" MVcSu^irth^^^^^^ cultivation we have been dencribing would give about 5.,
buHhe B to the acre of shelled corn. About 40 cents per bunhel ih the price we get when .t in
brought in from the tieldn in tho fall. If we keen it till .i.ring we have to deiwnd on he meal,
whereas in tiu, fall peoi.le want it for feeding, that wou d nhow a result of about $20 an acre
The fmUer iH worth allotit «2 per ton it is letter for milch cws than hay. We don t use it
for cutting up to fatten stock. I put tho fodder at about «) per acre. ^, , ^ ,
cuwu^ u| I ^^ which corn has been sold in this country during the last few years
has heVii 40 cents At present it is selling at 50 cents and 00 cents, and of course we are
pa t cipating inthe ^Ivintage. I have heard of corn being bought for 30 cents, but of course
thit was not the regular market <,uotation of the day. I regard corn as a paying crop at 40
cSlrbecauso besides the price, it cleans ami shades tU 1^"; ; «»1 ' "^Ve^^ ?[ch The'l ref';;
in that way. We grow a succession of crops of corn where the land la very rich. 1 he nreter
ence for Xat has rather tended to dindnish the growth of corn A great deal^of corn U used
locally for the feeding of cattle, as our stock is all fed on corn and not on roots.
Mr. Her, another witness from Essex, had also much 'to say on the subject of
corn-growing. He says ; —
"We grow corn largely. It is grown for the grain in ninety-nine cases out of one hun-
dred—very little being growti for f oilder. Tho crop is usually successful, and the average per
acre about forty bushels. The varieties generally grown are the large yellow and white (tourd
Seed though the yellow and white Flint are also grown. These are eight-rowed varieties.
Corn has been badly injured by the rain, but I dim't think it can be said that the corn crop is
subject to failure in our part of the country, though late corn in back settlements is sometimes
nipped by the frost. I think that our county can produce corn successfully, and 1 ilon t know
that we have any regular failures. i i i. i j i-
"We don't have anyjarge quantities to export, but sell it to our local traders and dn-
tillers Mr Walker takes about all the com we can raise for his distillery. It is not neces-
sary for us to import corn from the United States, though very small quantities are imported.
"There is not much difference in the cost of raising corn and wheat. We have no huskinif
machines in our county. We put it up in shocks and husk it by hand.
"We store it in cribs; a great many of them are built out of poles, but some are now
building corn houses of lumber, leaving cracks for the circulation of the air. Good corn
houses are generally built double, each side being about four feet wide and eight or nine feet
hieh. with apace between sufficient to allow a team to pass through. ^ . , ^ . , , ^
" The larger varieties of corn are generally planted with three feet eight inches between
I hills, and three stooks to the hill. That is about the right distance, though it is some-
Flint corn may be planted three feet six inches between the hills, and
the
times planted thinker.
four to the hill. , , , . , . •n. ii j
"Corn usually realizes about .50 cents per bushel, taking one year with en'.ther, and v/e
consider it a profitable crop in our county. A great deal of it is used in feedm)r h.gs imd
cattle, and it is the surplus which the distillery takes."
Mr. McCain, another Essex witness, says :-
tion
grown „
the average for the townshq).
"The straw is veiy rx'i'
bran and middlings, if :r\i^
The stalks are too ra. i .
stalks are worth f ron.
f I >r feeding .purposes. If the stalks are cut and mixed up with
' spier did food for dairy or fattening purposes, or for hor.ses.
tfcle v,i tat by themselves, and they are apt to dry out.
•ie. \it and bleached there is still nourishment in them. The
loliars to five dollars per acre for fodcjei, which would make the
com crop worth about tNirty dollars per acre on the average."
GENERAL FARMING— INDIAN CORN.
801
Mr. Elliott, «)f the Batno county, kIvos somo further particulurs roapecting oorn-
grow'ing III Jus (liBtrict, whicli may bo intoresting to those in othor placoi who are
not fainuiar with «uch procoBsos. Heiaya: —
"Corn with us Krows to an avera«o huiKht of ten or twelve, Hotn«timeM fourt.-en feet. 1
ff .."Tiff ""/"i rr*"' '?'"/ .^'r""-' r^r^ ^""^ *'•" •''•"* i""''»« »* »•'« «'»*« *"«<»• «" t^at state.
}...» 1?!*' 1 !"' "^ *•!* kern« , th« name «h the corn Kmwn by .luhy fanuerH for fo.l.ler.
1 np;>rtt.(l corn han to be naturahze.l before it micceeds well. If planted thiH year it wr.uld be
all rlunt for nuxt year h crop.
«, Jfi'^''»®vi"* .u*^ ^^ ''" '*,*'! '''""«i' ^^'^ ' '^«'" »«■"»'"' an^l harrow it, and tliiii we do in the
w^ nulf *\^ ' f^"" *^ !!""■'' ifc ""t from tbree feet wM inchen, to four feet each way, and
hand, aw I tri.id the inachineH but did not Had them at all Hatinfactory, as they are apt to plant
too much. 1 hen if you set thoni to drop only throe Kruan« to the hill, they will very likely
not (In.p any at all. However, a ifnod many peoole in our nelKhbourhuod UHe them. thouKh
our boHt corn raiHorn plant the corn by hand. I find the machine particularly ungatinfactory
in nlanting lar^e corn, m there Beems to be no certainty of having the grains drop regularly
and^yr,,,, are un ',10 to ascertain until the corn grows how it ha« been planted. ^ '^^K"'*"^'
*i,« We coinmrnce to cultivate as smm as the corn is up, just at the time when we can see
:Lf.Hi' 1 '''!"""' ""1^*;^ *'"'"';•'*"*•, We cultivate it from four to six times, using a double
shuttle plough- one shuffle coming behmd the other. We never use a hoe at all. Ao plough
thro^vs It u, in ridges to some extent The shuffles are very small-very little larger than tluwe
o a farm cu.tivator. We work the ph.ugh with one horse. Wo cultivate from l^Z I. six t Z!
^^'.v three times one way and three times across. Some days of course wiU intervene between
these times of cultivating Some use a harrow, but I do not. Some people Tse a two K,"
cult, vator the horses strad.lling the rows. We nuinage to keep the wee.ls down by our method
ilni fT. u;r ™- ^"'T'^ T " ?'"«^ ">"*"" »'^""«h *»>« '"^t time of cultivating, and
throw tl e land up in ridges. I prefer having it .m a level. Heavy winds sometimes blow
the corn to one side, but It generally straightens up again. The corn seldom Buffers iruch
unless It IS a tremendous storm.
"When we cut the corn we take hold of the stalks in the hill in the usual way. When
WvTa"l"L {.'r* "'"F"""'* into wheat, we generally carry twenty rows on each side, which
leaves a space between the shocks of forty rows. That makes a wide land.
Wa fi fV T"i^ ^*" lit "?"^ "^-^^^J tiirough the hurry of the work, and then we husk it.
We tie the stalks roiind the top with ehn bark. We use the bark of the common elm. as we
nnH!"fV"f^ elm. Sometimes we try fifty trees before we can get one to peel. We notch
under the bark with an axe, and then hitch a horse to the end and let him do the peeling It
would not pay us to use wire, because we can got the bark for nothing, and a man and a boy
can peel enough in a day to tie forty acres. We have about 20,000 acres of wood in our town-
"We have no process of husking by machines that we find satisfactory. We found that
it was as much trouble to take the corn to the machine and to carry away the fodder as it
would be to do the work by hand. We have hand husking machiLs %ur corn is mx ch
easier to husk than the Flint corn. Ours is the yellow and white Dent corn We husk the
corn from the shock m the fields, and put it in piles and draw it to the crib with a waggon. The
spaces between the shocks are ploughed and put in wheat, leaving lands about teS or twelve
feet w de where the corn is. When it is husked some stand the fodder on the wheat and dr ve
along the spaces, and in the spring these spaces are ploughed up and put in oats. This ac-
counts for the apnearance of many of the fields in our part of the country-striDs of oats an
pearing in our fields of fall wheat. We seed down again with clover on the wheTt." ^"
Mr. McGregor in his report on the products of the County of Essex says :—
' ' We do not export largely of corn, but we sell about 100, 000 bushels a year to the distillers
As a grain crop corn can be grown successfully, not only in the counties of
Lambton, Elgin, Norfolk, but also in the Owen Sound district, and in some of the
northern and north-eastern counties. As green fodder it is very extensively culti-
^ In his report of a recent visit to Washington, Mr. Hilbom, a member of the
Commission, refers to the experiments ccmducted by the Bureau of Agriculture
there, in regard to the sugar-yielding properties of corn. Mr. Hilbom says :—
^'¥L^^ ^^^ ^"u^ *,'^?'* 8«''8hum can be successfully and profitably grown in the northern
P^t . '""''°**' ^hKh is a higher latitude than Ontario ; his experiments also show that
sugar \:nu ijc al^^;LX•a^5I■^lly inaac irom It.
=f 111' ^^if-^T ^''•ll'^**®*^ *" "?! ^ ^^'^Z^^ "^ experiments in the manufacture of sugar from com '
stalks, which he has carried to a sufficient length to render its success no longer a question ™
ao2
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
doubt, the record showing a yield of from 900 to 1,000 pounds of sugar from the stalks of an
average acre of corn, gathered when the corn was ripe, so that no loss of corn was susraiaed,.
and the cost of manufacture being but three cents per pound. The sugar produced is fine in
flavour and capable of producing the highest grades by being refined. Mr. Le Due computer
that the stalks from the com grown in the State of Illinois would supply all the sugar used in
the United States at a cost of three cents per pound for manufacturing. That being so, is
there any good reason why the com fields of south-western Ontario should not be made to
sweeten the tea and coflfee of the Canadian people ? "
The growth of sorghum is somewhat extensively carried on in Essex, as well as
the manufacture of sorghum sugar and molasses. A manufactory on a considerable
scale has been recently started for the latter purpose at Tilsonburg, in the County
of Oxford.
RYE.
The cultivation of rye is very limited, although it may have been stimulated by
the recent rise 1,0 something like double its ordinary value, occasioned by the failure
of the rye crop on the continent of Europe, and a consequent large demand from
this side of the Atlantic.
As a grain crop rye is looked upon as hardly a creditable product by many far-
mers, the short reply to a question by one of them that " he had no land poor
enough for rye " indicating the light in which its cultivation is regarded.
Mr. Drury only grows it "as a green crop to plough under. " Mr. White (Kent)
" does not know of any rye being grown " in his part of the country. Mr. Iler
refers to it as only raised for fodder. In the eastern part of the Province it is more
frequently grown. Mr. Clark, of Montague (Lanark), grows fifteen to twonty-tive
bushels to the acre, and, he thinks, profitably. Mr. Black, of Ramsay (Lanark),
says : —
i.1. "■'■ ^^ * *"® '^^°^ "' ^^ ^""^ years ago. I regard the crop as more exhausting than
others, although rye will often grow where other crops fail. The grasshoppers did not destroy
the rye crop, as it was too early for th.. . i. A good deal is grown in the township. "
According to the township returns from Ramsay about 100 acres is devoted to
rye, with an average yield of twenty bushels. It has been suggested that rye might
in some of the rougher sections take the place of fall wheat as being less subject to
winter-killing. Last winter, however— a very unfavourable one, it is true— a good
deal of rye in the township just referred to was winter-killed.
Mr. Meighan, of Perth, a large buyer of grain and dairy produce, in the course
of his evidence says : —
" We buy grain largely. The demand for rye for export to Germany and Belgium has
been largely on the increase. I think the trade will continue from natural causes. Our re-
ports from Antwerp are that the sample gave great satisfaction. The impression of the trade
is, that our rye is superior to the American. Farmers say they can grow it on poorer land
than other grain crops. I am buying at 78 cents to-day for a good sampl*^. Where freights
are cheaper it will bring 80 cents, and at Toronto it is up to 85 cents, I know farmers who
have substituted rye for wheat with profit. Previous to 1879, I think 50 cents was the highest
price we ever gave for rye."
The averagn yield of rye all over would, according to the returns, appear to be
16 bushels, but it is probable that in the districts where it is chiefly cultivated —
particularly Lanark and Renfrew, where in many cases the average is put at 20
bushels, and in one case at bO bushels to the acre— the yield will approximate 20
bushels. At the prices named by Mr. Meighan, the crop, having regard to the soil
in which it will grow, and the amount of cultivation it usually receives, will be a
paying one ; although at normal prices, except as a means of utilizing poor land, it
can hardly remunerate the cultivator.
ROOT CROPS.
The cultivation of root crops should increase concurrently with the greater
attention to dairying and stock raising, but so far this has hardly been the case in
Ontario. That in a number of townships the area devoted to roof cultivation is
small, and in too many utterly insignificant is not creditable to the j udgment and
GENERAL FARMING— BOOT CROPS.
303
nnent and
far-sightedness of our farmers. That this does not arise from any inadaptability of
the sou, or other unfavourable circumstances, is shown both by the oral evidence
and returns. Some of the evidence will be worth quoting.
Mr. Hobson (Wellington) says : —
" I plant from twelve to twenty acres with roots on a farm of three hundred acres. The
whToW ^.u^i^""" *'""^' ^.*'""V; "^""^ i"^ *^""* ^^^ ^"«h«l«- ■ • . I raise a few mangolds,
Z^l .^ . • '^'■^ exceptionally good for the latter part of the spring. They come in well
after the turnips. They keep better than the turnips, and are fresher. Although they are
not so good for fattening purposes, they are very good for stock that are giving milk."
11 ^j x^i.'^^"", '^^^^^ ^^""^ ^°^^^ "P°" *'^® ^^'■y large crop of turnips sometimes
alleged to have been obtained. At Bow Park, however, where mangolds are ^^rown
extensively, although the soil does not appear to be well adapted for turnips, Mr.
Uay can raise 30 tons of mangolds to the acre. But that is under exceptionaUy
favourable circumstances, both as to soil, cultivation and manure.
Mr. Drury says with regard to root crops : —
i,o„r "^^.Srow a few carrots for our horses, but we have not grown mangolds. We generally
f. Jnllrr """K^^ '"""PuP'' ","^^'^ ^^^ dry^eather makes against the size of the roots ; un-
favourable weather is the only enemy of the turnip amongst us. I think probably 550 bushels
to the acre would be thf average we grow Last year I raised a thousand bushels to the acre
under exceptional circumstances. I think a root crop exhausts the L.nd to a certain extent.
It is not indisr.ensable lu a rotation of crops. But a farmer, when he wants to clean a portion
ot his lanrl instead of leaving it a naked fallow, naturally says to himself that if he can clean
ills land and obtain a quantity of roots for his cattle at the same time, he will do so. I find it
almost essential to have some roots for my stock. Of course I have done without them, but I
tind that cattle do not thrive well unless they get some turnips every day. I never estimated
the cost of raising an acre of turnips. I usually sow as near to the 2(lth of June as possible.
or/i;u r^, «*/■''«'■ *he plants are apt to be injured by the fly, although the early sown roots
=/L!. h V-^ -^f ""."'■^ f°l^^ than those sown late. A late sown turnip may attain to a good
size, but It will not weigh so much or be as solid as one of an equal size sown earlier. I have
t^Ifi, ff" *™"''1«'^ 7'*h turnips rotting; but generally speaking, an early sown turnip will
Keep better than one late sown. " ' j f
Mr. Dickson (Huron) says : —
f„^J;7 ^""'t^^ ^^'""i ®[?'^i *° *^P ^^^^^ "^ ^°°^ •''■"P^ * year-carrots, mangolds, and Swede
turnips I depend chiefly on the turnips as a food supply for my cattle. The turnip crop is
a tolerably certain crop. The fly sometimes does considerable damage. Generally the far-
mers sow from the loth to 20th June. Early sown turnips are most likely to be attacked by
the fly. The average yield of turnips is from 600 to 800 bushels per acre : there may be some
instances m which the yield is greater than that." ^
It is quite consistent with the too primitive fashion in which farming is still
carried on in many parts of Kent and Essex, as well as with a large area devoted to
indian corn, to find Mr. White (Kent) saying :— " Scarcely any roots are grown in
this part of the Prrvince."
In Waterloo, Mr. Andrew Elliott raises between GOO and 800 bushels of turnips
to the acre.
Mr. Andrew Cochran, of Ramsay (Lanark), says :—
"I have grown from 600 to 1,000 bushels of turnips to the acre. I once got 1,000 bushels
of potat.)es off two acres. From 250 to 300 bushels would be the average yield. I never
^'onnT; I t le m^ng"lfls, but they have done well. Of carrots I have raised at the rate of
l.,MO bushels to the acre.
Mr. Smellie, Vaughan (York), says : —
. " Mangolds and carrots seem to be the most profitable roots to raise in our section. Tur-
nips seem to be a failure because of the fly which attacks them, and destroys them completely
sometimes. VVe have adopted no particular means of exterminating the fly."
Mr. Douglass, of Blantyre (Grey), says :—
fnii r ^i' P.^'^P^H^PS ^y 1»'"J ,with a root crop to lay down grass I take the manure out in the
tall and ploPi,'h it under, and m thp sn.iny: work it up as early as T fan I -^n^rillv ulouj-h
it twice in tl ? spring 1 gang-plough it, but not very deep, and then I plough [t again with
a gang-plough or single plough, ploughing about five or six inches deep. After that I drill it
lip BillCl Sow lt(
"I don't use any artificial manure, nor have I tried any. I have sown salt on the wheat.
I
IpiR
304
ONTARIO AGRICULTVBAL COMMISSION.
I have never grown any mangolds, but grow Swedish turnips. From 500 to fiOO husheU per
acre is my average crop of Swedish turnips. In cultivating roots we give them at least three
horse hoeings, and we generally hoe them twice by hand. I think it ;s good to grow roots in
connection with grain-growing.
"With the turnips I generally fatten from six to seven head of cattle. I don't think a
root crop such as turnips is very exhaustive on the soil. ... I generally put about twenty
loads of manure to the acre of turnips. "
Mr. Cochrane, of Kilsyth, in the same county, says : —
' ' I may mention that roots do well with us. Our township society has been in the habit
ot offering prizes for the best acre of turnips. Last year the acre which took the tirst prize
produced 1,01(5 bushels, and the acre that took second prize 1,001) bushels, and the acre that
took the third was somewhere in the neighbourhood of 1,000 bushels. They calculated this
quantity from weighing the turnips grown on one square rod, taking up that (luantity in three
different parts, and the average of these parts as the average of the field. I believe the man
that got first prize had a hundred bushels more to the acre than they gave him credit for.
With good culture I don't think there is any ditjculty in raising 800 bushels to the acre in my
neighbourhood, with farm-yard manure alone.
' ' I sow plaster on my turnips a week or so after thinning. We are not troubled with the
turnip fly much unless we sow very early. I never sow mine before the 15th of June, and I
have never lost a crop by the fly. The varieties we sow are the old East Lothian, Sutton's
Champion, and the King of Swedes."
At the Model Farm, Guelph, Professor Brown puts the average of the root crops
taken from a five years' experience as follows ; —
Mangolds 725 bushels.
Turnips G14
Carrots .,540 "
The returns received give the averages all over as, turnips 453, and other root
crops (not including potatoes) 318 bushels to the acre. This, excluding districts
where the area cultivated is hardly worth mentioning, and the soil not at all adapted
to roots, will fully justify the conclusion that 600 bushels of turnips can be grown
under ordinarily favourable conditions, and rather more than less than that quantity
of mangolds. When, therefore, Professor Brov/'n puts the average of mangolds and
turnips at 670 bushels he is claiming far less than many good farmers have accom-
plished, and no more than anyone with proper judgment can attain to. The infor-
mation as to carrots, except in a few isolated cases, is too meagre to discuss averages
upon. Mr. Brown in putting his return at 540 bushels is giving an experience
rather different from that of many who expect a larger yield of carrots than of other
roots. But even that estimate shows in Mr. Brown's calculation that carrots are a
highly profitable crop. Of an acre of mangolds or turnips he makes the cost of
manuring and cultivation to be $25. 50, against a yield of 670 bushels valued at nine
cents per bushel, and showing a balance in favour of the crop $34.80. He adds : —
"If I were to credit the crop with what is left of the tops of turnips, which are said to be
equal to what is taken off the soil in the bulbs, the result would show a greater profit still,
although I will not go that length."
The cost of an acre of carrots he puts at $31.86, the value of the crop — 540
bushels at 15 cents per bushel — being .*81.00, showing a balance in favour of the
grower of $49.00. As already noticed, Mr. Brown does not charge rental or interest
in these estimates. But few farmers will be prone to doubt their ability to grow
crops as large as those stated, with such an expenditure as Professor Brown charges
them with. It is said that roots are an exhausting crop. Some object to entoring
into their cultivation, to a large extent, on that ground. If the Commissioners were
reporting upon an investigation into the principles and science of agriculture they
might be able to show that these views are exaggerated. But, basing their report
as far as possible on strictly practical evidence, they prefer to remark that, let root
crops be exhausting or not, the farms on which roots form one of the 'iiost promin-
ent factors in the year's operations are the richest farms, the crops the finest crops,
and the farmers the most prosperous, both as to their current operations and the
gradual accrual in value of their real estate. The cultivation of roots in Ontario
might be enormously increased with corresponding profits. To what our soil, with
GENERAL FARMING— WEEDS.
306
proper management, will do m this respect, every agricultural show in the Province
bears witness, and it is only for others to pursue the same course as those who have
been so far successful to achieve the same results.
WEEDS.
In noticing the cultivation of various crops it would hardly be proper to omit
a,llusion to some of the eminently prolific species of spontaneous or voluntary pro-
ductions that appear with a degree of certainty and regularity in too many sections
of country. Among these the Canada thistle, as it is termed, stands conspicuous.
Its increase is even alarming in some districts, and its tenacity in holding its own
and propagating itself defies even the power and authority of the Legislature to re-
strain or suppress it. The Canada Thistle Act gives ample powers to municipalities
as against ofi^ending thistle-growers. Its leading provisions may be briefly described
as follows : — ^ j
1. Every occupant of land must cut down Uiistles as often as necessary to prevent
them from going to seed. For neglecting to do this he is liable to a fine of not less
than two nor more than ten dollars for each otTence.
2. The overseers of highways are charged with seeing the provisions of the Act
carried into eflfect. For refusal or neglect of duty in this respect they may be fined
not less than ten nor more than twenty dollars.
3. Said oflicers must give notice to any occupier on whose land Canada thistles
are growing and in danger of going to seed, to cut them down within five days
from service of notice. The notice must be given not later than the 25th of June.
4. If the occupier does not attend to notice, the overseer of highways may
enter upon his land (provided it is not sown with grain) and cut down the thistles,
the cost being chargeable to the occupier, and recoverable from him in the same
manner as taxes.
5. The Act applies to railway companies' property as well as private occupiers,
notice in that case being given to the nearest station agent.
6. No notice is necessary in the case of non-resident owners of property.
7. Ofi'ences under the Act are to be subject to the jurisdiction of Justices of the
reace, and fines are to be paid into the treasury of the municipality.
Professor Buckland, alluding in his evidence to the thistle and other weeds,
says : —
" I think, too; that one of the great practical difficulties that lie liefore us is the dealing,
not perhaps so much with ordinary weeds like couch-grass, or things of that sort, but with
what IS usually termed the thistle. Unless some efficient means be promptly employed to
check, and, so far as possible, eradicate it, I believe that where it has obtained full hold of
the g'i.'und, successful husbandry will soon become a matter of impracticability.
I do not know so much about the extent of couch-grass, but I believe the thistle will
progress more in the development of its roots in proportion to the food it gets. The dealing
with thistles is no doubt a matter of difficulty, but within the last few years they have been
increasing rapidly m many of the older sections of the Province, until now more than one-
halt of the soil in too many fields I believe to be occupied by them. Of course the food
winch the thistles extract from the soil is just so much nourishment taken away from the
cultivated crops. •'
"There is no royal road to a cure for this pest. I remember the late Hon. Adam Fer<^u-
son was offered by a charlatan, for a good fee, an infallible method for eradicating thistfes,
which consisted in cutting them down with a scythe or a spud when in full flower, and that a
little vitriol or sulphuric acid be poured upon the bruised stems, and so reaching the roots,
it would take a great deal of sulphuric acid, I am afraid, to go over our fields in this fashion
nowadays.
''I have seen in England permanent pastures completely overrun with it, and the only
way to eradicate the nuisance was found to be spudding it two or three times a year We
call it the (.auadian thistle, but it was probably imported in grain from Europe, and seems
to be identical with the ordinary farm thistle of England. If spudded as soon as the leaves
are developed, next year the plant becomes weaker, and in the following year can be nearly
eradicated -that is, on pasture land. It is only by deep ploughing and getting at the roots
that- the nmaanee eau bo removed on cultivated laud. 1 do not know that any machinery
beyond the hoe_ or grubber can aid us. On pasture lands it mav be killed, as I said by
depriving it of its leaves, but on lands which are cultivated for grain a different system has
to be adopted. " ° j
! 'i 'it P^
i t,..-
!i
306
ONTARIO AGBICULTUBAL COMMISSION.
Mr. Douglass (Grey) says : —
" We are troubled quite a bit with thistles,
extent by growing roots, but not entirely. . .
district and never taken notice of."
We are able to get them down to a certain
. The Thistle Act is a dead letter in oui-
Mr. Smellie (York) says : —
" Now that the thistles have become so very bad I believe we will have to fallow a good
deal more frequently. SumiMer fallow is the only euro for thistles. The field we are goini;
to fallow 1 always plough in the fall of the year, and in the spring we run through it with a
cultivator. We don't allow the thistles to peep at all that season if possible, because, if you
do, you don t seem to kill them. If you never let them get their heads above the ground you
will master them for about seven or eight years, provided there is no seed comes to your
place from your neighbours'."
Mr. Hobson (Wellington) rays : —
t. "^^^ ?"'y remedy I know for the thistles is summer fallowing. They have to be looked
after in July and August ; but I found that, with all the working I could give to my land
spring and fall, they were gradually and slowly on the increase, so I adopted summer fallow-
ing, and many of my neighbours have come to the conclusion that there is nothing like that
for r.dding themselves of the thistles. I think it is well to let the thistles get well up before
ploughing them in, and you should select a time when the weather is fine and dry ; but I
would not let them get so high as to make it difficult to plough them in. If they got very
high I think I would cut them before using the plough."
Mr. John Miller (Ontario) says :—
*i, " I ^^^^^ j^'' ^^^^ ^'^y *° ^^* "*^ "^ *^® thistles is to let them grow well up and then cut
them down and plough the land. I do not think it is well to plough them until tliey are well
grown up. We use turnips also to destroy the thistles. The truth of the matter is, a crop of
thistles means slovenly farming, or farming that brings with it the smallest amount of culti-
vation. "
The Commissioners have received communications on this subject from several
quarters, and desire particularly to acknowledge one from Mr. Wm. Burgess, of
Mimico, well known as an enthusiastic agriculturist and horticulturist. Where
the thistle has not got hold too firmly, the cultivation of roots is probably the best
antidote and preventive, but where that fails the summer fallow is the only re-
source, the suggestions of the witnesses above given as to the time and mode of
operating on the thistles being taken into account. That idle and selfish or igno-
rant people should be allowed to stock the whole neighbourhood with thistles, not-
withstanding the efforts of their neighbours to keep their farms clear of the nui-
sance, is more creditable to the forbearance than to the public spirit of the commu-
nity. The inaction has more of indolence and want of courage than real kindness
or neighbourliness about it. A man who was once punished for wronging his
neighbours, by negltcting to destroy his thistles, would be very likely to learn a
lesson beneficial to himself.
The foxtail, or summer grass, couch grass, and the ox-eye daisy, are also
troublesome. As regards the treatment of the two last-ni.mcd nuisances, Mr.
Benson, of Cardinal, says : —
"When I plough up the couch grass I plough it very shallow, and the., run the hay rake
over it -nd put it in a pile. I then plough it again and run a large-toothed cultivator through
it. Tliat discourages it, and I sow buckwheat on it and plough it down, and if I have time I
give It another crop of buckwheat or peas. When I get it so low that I cannot see the couch
grass I sow Indian corn. In course of time the couch grass is subdued. It makes pretty good
fodder for cattle. For two or three seasons after seeding down the couch grass may get in
again. When I put the couch grass in a pile I cover it up, and it rots, and afterwards makes
very fine soil.
. "The ox-eye daisy, however, beats me entirely. It both seeds and grows from the root.
It IS said that after three years it dies, but somehow or other the seed escapes. I am not an
authority with regard to it. On my farm they were careless about the seed they got, and they
found the ox-eye daisy in some timothy, and I have not been able to get it out. It comes in
chiefly in the timothy seed which we get from the United States. The same plant is common
in England. The root is a knot of fibres, and the plants grow about eighteen inches or two
feet high. _T!if> tir.y.-or has a bright yel'--w CPntre, -r.-ith little spears eoniitig out of it, uiid i»
about the size of a half-dollar piece. It is a Marguerite. I suffer to some extent from the
wild mustard, but we get rid of it by seeding down, and it does not come again until the land
QENEBAL FARMING— MANURE.
30?
is broken up. I never have much trouble with the thistles. I don't know the rag-weed : with
me tne ox-eye daisy, couch grass, and thistles are the principal weeds."
Mr Matheson, of Perth (Lanark), finds the thistles, couch grass, wild mustard
and the ox-eye daisy, at times too prevalent. The couch grass he regards as the
worst of the lot. He says of it : <s &
j„;=l"^^rS.P'"«^*'^["» noxious weeds in my district are thistles, couch grass, mustard, and
daisy. The couch grass, I think, is the worst we have ; the best remedy for it is summer
rji,?l' ^ 1 same may be said of the muHtard. I generally have a summei fallow, and
plough under the weeds, as soon as the spring work is over, and after two or three ploughings
1 cover the surface with manure. " v e, e,
Alluding to the wild mustard, Professor Buckland says :—
,.«,=!! Ji?^ ^'1? mustard ..ore difficult to manage, but I should recommend that, where a
nnfTbJn^ * ''"'^ «"i'u 'n^f'll '^^^'^^ *° ^r,""'^ '* *° S«t into full flower, and then mow it,
not taking any crop ofif the field that year. But, where wild mustard seed has ?ot into th4
a^VVi-^"^* frequently reappear, sometimes growing very thick after it had apparently been
ifJiA •; f P ploughing takes it under, and deeper ploughing brings it up again. I do not
consider it so dangerous a weed as the thistle. I am not aware how long the seed will remain
Z//n^r7^r^'''f'"".V*'Vr '' '^1"^^^^.} ^ave known it to be brought up from a dep^of
SrfnflLn^I iT^ '^'J^*'"* losing Its vitality. If buried sufficiently deep to pre,erve it from
1a '""iV^^^^ ^^ moisture or the air I should say it might continue under ground for centuries,
^^:Sr!:^z'::AV[o'^^::t!^' ^"•■'^''^ ""^^-^ ''^^•'"^^^^^ °-'*'"-- ^ ^^^^ *^« ^-^y
Mr. White (Kent) says of the weeds in his section :—
" We have not very much trouble with weeds in this section of the Province, though there
are some cases in which crops have been thinned by some cause-perhaps by the severity of
the winter- and the weetls spring up,_ principally rag- weed. Wifd mustard is bad where
tanners are careless. Red root is making its appearance, and the Canada thistle is increasing
in some parts of the county. '
Mr. White makes rather light of the rag- weed. It may be less difficult to deal
with than some noxious plants, but the Commissioners who visited Kent were
struck With the profusion with which it was found growing there. If careless
farming be as responsible for the rag-weed as Mr. White asserts it to be for the
wild mustard, there must be a good deal of farming that will bear improvement in
that section.
Mr. Her, Essex, says of the rag-weed : —
" We have no trouble in eradicating the rag-weed, as all that is necessary is to plough it
it thorou hi '" "P^" ^ suppose the seed would spread, but ploughing it under kills
The Commissioners can have no hesitation in urging upon the intelligent farmers
of Kent and Essex that, if the rag-weed is to be so easily got rid of, they should
lose no time in "ploughing it under."
USE AND TREATMENT OF MANURE.
r^*- j'"®''^ generally pay no attention to caring for their manure, and especially
the liquid portion of it," describes, in the words of one of the witnesses examined
by the Commission, what, it is to be fp\rcd, is too much the practice of Canadian
farmers in regard to the most potent .actor or agent in their whole operations.
J^iven when determined not to be behind-hand in providing a good supply of barn-
yard manure, too many will allow it to depreciate day by day, while the most
essential ingredients are permitted to evaporate or to be washed away into the
nearest creek— polluting and poisoning the water, instead of nourishing and stimu-
lating the lani. Professor Buckland says on this point :—
''As to manures, the conclusion I arrived at when in the habit of going through the
country m past years vvas, that if the absolute, naked truth couM be got at in any way, it
would be foun I that the manurial power of our barn-yard .lung, from exposure and want of
care, loses at least 25 or 30 per cent, of its value. If we look af-. ih^ wnri-li «f th» man"re
tlius wasted. Its loss cannot bo regarded as other than a national calamity. I would sav.
however, that during the long period that I have known this country, there has been, of late,
consiaerable improvement among many of our farmers in this respect."
I
808
ONTABIO A ORICULTURAL COMMISSION.
The venerable Professor adds, in connection with the subject of liquid
manure : —
, ,." ^"™®^"^ '^^ other, a large proportion of our barn-yards are placed near creeks or small
bodies of water— presumably for convenience in watering the stock— and very much of the
iKjuid manure, the most valuable part, escapes into these creeks or bodies of water, and so is
lost. It our barn-yard manure were properly cared for, and not exposed to the drenching of
untroughed roofs, ;t would be much more valuable than it is now ; it would be worth thou-
sands, perhaps mdlions, of dollars more than under its present treatment. It should be kept
under cover, if possible, and a very little attention would prevent a great deal of the present
waste, not only in quantity, but particularly in qudity."
Professor Bell says :—" Liquid manure is worth five times as much as solid
manure, if properly saved and manipulated." With a very little care, however
the liquid may, if not preserved separately, be absorbed, and, in all essential
respects, its value be saved to tlie agriculturist.
MANAGEMENT OF MANURE.
Of the very few farmers who, among those examined, had really adopted any
systematic method of managing their manure, the plans of one or two deserve
special mention. Mr. Matheson, of Perth, thus describes his mode of saving and
treating manure. He says —
"I keep most of my manure in a pit, undercover, and I preserve most of the liquid
manure in the same way. I have a ' lean-to ' attached to the cattle-shed, and the pit for the
reception of the manure is under it. The cattle stand and feed together with a gutter behind
them which gathers most of the liquid, which is all pure nanure, and is carried into the pit
I put up a shed 90 feet long by 30 feet wide, and in that I have two rows of cattle which face
outwards. In front of them, at each side of the shed, there is a water-tight trough and a pas-
sage, and they stand some distance apart on the platform, which is about five feet six inches
wide. Ihey are all tied with chains, and behin.l each row of cattle there is a gutter about
twenty inches wide and eight inches deep, and between the two rows of cattle there is a pas-
sage tour feet wide, on which the manure is wheeled out.
" At the side of this building I have a 'lean-to ' which runs half its length, is fourteen
feet wide, and is sunk two feet in the ground. It is water-tight, so far as we can make it.
Ihree sides of this pit are boarded tightly with hemlock plank, and on the fourth side there
13 a passage eight or ten feet wide for a cart or waggon. I do not use any straw for bedding ;
sawdust IS the cheapest thing I can get for that purpose, and it soaks everything up, increases
the bulk of the manure, and makes its quality very fine.
_ " Omload of this manure is equal to two or three loads of what I fonnerli/ turned out. The
gam v^hich 1 have derived from preserving the manure for the land has been very large. The
roots 1 grow are turnips, mangolds, carrots, and sugar beets ; I have had 500 bushels of roots
to the acre.
Two of the Commissioners visited Mr. Matheson's farm and inspected his
arrangements, which appeared to be admirably adapted to the obiect he has in
view. "■
Mr. Benson, of Cardinal, adopts a diflferent system, but one that has the merit
of economizing to a very large extent the liquid portion of the manure. He
describes his plan as follows : —
m, "^ ^f^^ ^ ^^**^® °° sawdust, which is an absorbent, and makes a vast pile of manure.
ihe sawdust I use is not common sawdust from a sawmill; it is sawdust and the shavin"3
trom seasoned lumber. It comes from a stave factory and a box factory, and the whole of
the lumber IS kiln-dried and the sawdust, therefore, absorbs all the moisture that comes
v^ i^^^'^'^*"! "^?^^ rapidly than straw. I never use pine or cedar sawdust, because it is
ditticult to rot; but I confine myself to the use of basswood and elm, which decompose
quickly. Very few people have equal facilities for getting such a pile of manure from such
good material.
^1 r' n '"^T? *he manure to where I keep it in an enormous pile, and allow it to remain till
the fall or the following spring. The difference between the sawdust I use and pine sawdust
IS, that my sawdust rots m the soil, whereas pine sawdust simply mixes witli the soil, perhaps
loosening it, but not manuring it so well, as it decays more slowly. There is another great
ditterence. All the sawdust from the sawmill is wet, both from the logs being soaked in the
water, and from the sap ; but the sawdust that I use is dry, on account of its having been
seasoned, and there is nothing left in it but fibre, and when it is used for bedding it is mixed
With urine, wnien uccomijoses it more rapidly than water."
Professor Bell, it is proper to remark, objects to the use of sawdust, although
GENERAL FARMING— MANURE.
300
ect of liquid
much as solid
;are, however,
all essential
Mr. Benson does not appear to have found the evil results from it that Mr. Bell
suggests as likely to ensue. Professor Bell says : —
"I am not very partial to the use of sawdust as an absorbent of liquid manure, as it la
apt to promote the growth of fungoid spores, especially hardwood sawdust. The ixse of the
tank and the water cart is what I would recommend, or, if they were too expensive, a natural
or artificial reservoir, such as ia used in earth closets. The liquid shoulcf either be mixed
with earth or diluted with water, as it is too strong in its natural state, and should be ap[)lied
at an early Htatre in the plant's growth. It should not be used fresh, but allowed to enter
upon the first fermentation,"
Mr. Elliott, of Colchester (Essex), used hardwood sawdust for a time, but gave
it up, as lie thought it injured the soil, giving as his reason that perhaps the soil
was too open.
Mr. Matheson, whose excellent arrangements have been already described, beds
all his horses and cattle, it will be observed, with sawdust.
In Essex, where a large number of hogs are kept, and the richest kind of animal
manure is, consequently, at the command of the farmers, it appears to be looked
upon ratlier as a nuisance than otherwise. Mr. McCain, of Gostield, for instance,
says : —
' ' Farmers do not take anv pains to utilize hog manure by mixing it with bedding or
straw, though they know its vail m;. If I have a field convenient to the house, I generally
put the hoys in it. Some people put them in pens and keep them confined, but no means
are adopted to preserve the manure in the pens. It takes too much labour to bed hogs in
straw for the jjurpose of making manure, and farmers do not try much to save it. I know
that our practice is a careless one, but time will remedy it, I" think bedding the hogs in
straw and making a compost would be better than burning the straw. Hogs generally fatten
best in a large field, but in winter we generally let them shift for themselves around the
straw stack, etc. We have places to shelter them, such as sheds, etc."
As it is " too much labour" to bed the hogs in straw, some of the farmers, Mr,
McCain says, burn it. He says : —
" The straw is worth .§1 per load, though some people haul away the straw and burn it
as they think that they can get all the manure out of the ashes in that way. They say that
their land has been materially benefited by burning the straw. I have lived in Essex since
18;i5. I was in Australia four years, and' I noticed that the Englishmen there burnt their
stubble. I was a farmer for a short time in Australia."
Because they are too idle to bed their hogs, these worthy persons are content, by
burning the straAV, to get the minimum instead of ,the maximum value out of it, and
waste the hogs' manure besides. Mr. Graham, of Sidney (Hastings), says as to his
method of managing manure : —
" I think it desirable to cover the manure with earth, if labour is not too dear. I gene-
rally draw it from the barn-yard to the field where we want to apply it, simply because it is
less expensive. I do not keep any pit or reservoir for the liquid manure, but believe that it
would he a good thing to do so. I always try to use enough straw to absorb the liquid
manure."
Mr. Thomson, of Brooklin, is in the habit of leaving the stable manure in the
yard, without turning it. He takes it out green in the fall and ploughs it in.
As to the management of manure, Professor Buckland says : —
" I would recommend that, where Idack muck soil, or any vegetable porous matter, can
be reailily got, a bed of such material be formed as a foundation, and the dung heap be placed
uiion it, after the former has been exposed to the drying influence of the sun and air. The
hea]) should also be surrounded with a wall two or three feet high, and with this dry absor-
bent substance, which is also a manure in itself, the value of the manure heap would be much
enhanci'd.
" Land plaster is a very valu.able substance, and ought to be in every barn-yard, not only
for the puri)ose of absorbing the liquid portion of manure, but, also, because it has a tendency
to fix the volatile alkali, which is injurious to animals in confined structures. The ammonia
that escafies from a close, ill-ventilated stable during the year is very hurtful to the eyes of
horses, and to their general health, and, by sprinkling up(m the floor a little sulphate of
lime (i>laster}, a great deal of this vapour would be converted into sulphate of ammonia,
which does not readily decompose or evaporate, and is in itself a valuable manure. The
same remark would apply to the manure heap.
It
Li
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310
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
" I have always advocated the composting of our barn-yard manure to a considerable ex-
tent, and .18 yi)U are building your heap, to sprinkle upon it a little sulphate of lime or com-
mon salt, which I think would be more useful m that way than if applied by itself.
" I do not think that barn-y.^rd manure loses so much of its power by exposure during
the winter as many people imagine, for decomposition in a cold, dry atmosphere takes place
very slowly, and sometimes not at all ; but the tnmble is that, when the frost breaks up and
the spring tains come, it gets thoroughly drenched, and the most valuable portion of it— the
Halts — become solvent and are carried away. Therefore I should always, where it can be
carried out, prefer to plough it in rather than leave it exposed on the fields during winter."
The Professor also expresses the opinion that the germination of soeds in the
manure would be very likely to bo prevented by its fermentation. This induces
him to prefer fermented to green manure.
Professor Brown, speaking on the same subject, says : —
" With reference to the question of manures, my experience goes to show that a very im-
portant item in its management is covering so as to prevent the rain from washing it. Our
practice is simply to put it out in a heap, mixing the horse manure with the cattle manure.
' ' In order to save it from too rapid decay, we always have made a jioint of scattering a
quantity of gypsum over the heap. There is nothing so good as to send a pail of gypsum
around twice a week. This retards too rapid fermentation, and, of course, adds very much
to the manurial value of the heap.
' ' I need not say anything as to the importance of preserving the liquid manure — of course
that adds very much to the value of the heap. One of the best ways to prevent too rapid fer-
mentation of the manure is to let the cattle run over to compress it and prevent too much air
from penetrating it.
"I always use farm-yard manure in a rotted state. If we beheve what the chemist tells
us, there is no question but that there is a very large value in bran as a food for the produc-
tion of manure. There is no better way of putting the idea than by saying that the best food
makes the best manure.''
The great value of the application of the gypsum in fixing the ammonia, and
thus retaining in a new form one of the most valuable of the ingredients of the
manure, cannot be too strongly presented. Mr. D. Caldwell, of Gait, thus ex-
plains his mode of preparing his manure. He says : —
" I generally make muck compost as far as possible. I have used swamp muck largely.
I have taken it out of swamps and pond-holes, wherever I have been able to get it, from this
time in the year on to the fall, and emptied it out anywhere that was most convenient, let it
remain there during the winter exposed to the frost, and then used it next summer in the way
of compost, mixed with barn-yard manure and ashes. I have found it a great benefit to
apply it, owing to the fact that our soil here lacks vegetable matter. I put on about fifteen
loads of the compost to the acre. In the mixture I have generally put about two loads to one
load of manure, and perhaps a load of leached ashes. I would use muck all the time as a
compost. I apply it just the same as I would farm-yard manure, and I find in digging
around our trees, three or four years after putting it on, that there is more of it to be seen
than of any other manure. I tried muck before I subsoiled, and found it beneficial even
then. There is nothing that will improve clay soil more than muck, because it keeps it open
and porous. "
Mr. John Smith, of Harwich (Kent), already alluded to as a large cattle buyer,
says : —
" We have found the effects of mantire upon the land to be wonderful, and we manure
freely. We haul the manure right out on the land in the winter time, and in some cases we
pile it up and take it out in the fall. We find good effects producer' in both wavs, and I do
not see much difference between them, only that in the one case the effects will not appear
until the next crop. There is no such thing as cutting straw in our part of the country."
In the treatment of manure, it stands to reason, that to provide some shelter
for it, and so prevent the effects of the drenching rains, would be the most expedient.
An open shed for this purpose, adjoining the barn, would be little expense and soon
repay its lirst cost. Of course, where a small outlay is no object and facilities
exist, the separate preservation and distribution, properly diluted, of the liquid
portion, would do wonders for the farm, especially the green crops. But, as a
rule, farmers will prefer to secure the absorption and retention of this part of the
product with the solid matter. In that case some such plan as Professor Buckland
suggests will probably answer best. Either by boarding* the heap or sinking a pit
three or four feet in the ground and making a bedding of swamp muck (first well
OENEHAL FARMING— MANURE.
311
EFFECTS OF LIBERAL MANURING.
evidence, to be lookin<. to a largerTro Son of f hi^^^ " '^1"""' ^^''''' ^"
operations. For his turnip crop%rDuuia« It Rl "^'^^^^^''y element in his
the acre. Mr. Cochrane, Kilsyth ,^es aboufe f ^^*"*y«' *I'Pli"« ^4 loads to
Mr. Smellie uses 12 to 14 good wa^aon Wl« fn th ^ '" manuring for a rotation,
rotation, uses 15 loads to the ac^e^b^u? then he apnlierat .^'^^^'^'^.^^oyn,, i" his
bone dust, 250 lbs. of salt, 200 lbs of gypsum an 300 n T' J™? ^^^ ^^«' "^
phate. The crops he obtains under fh^rrstem have ^ 'i"^ ?'T^' P^^^"
referred to. Mr. Wiser whose vir^,.;, ,7,!^!^ ™ been already frequently
large quantity of man^^fhrrSTo Zr^:Zr:li'^\Tf:^^^^^^^^ -^
small fiddB^a" firdnf mv ;i2ck"H S in 'thTT * "' r?V "'" '^^"^fi* ^^"d. I have four
third. I literally covered these fids wfthmalrpT.T? ^°.-*.T t^.^nty^iKht" acres and I
and the foDowin^ season I cut 165 t ^^1 7M anH^ a\^ distillery in the winter of 1877 8
The land was inlverage goofcindiSn 'JnTputTh: manC oJif '"J .** ,\^'"«'? ^'""^"^
two or three years previous. This was only top dressing " ''' '*"'* ^'"^ ''««» '" '^"'l ^or
of t,i.'iv:^.xi'Jr^^^^^ EheVaSL*utr ^"^ ?^ ^Tif • ^ '^--"^^
was cured by driving a tedder thr,m!hu„^^u- without any raking at all ; the balance
turning it Jd usin^tL^Sder* Je'pS^ly w' succefdK tr"* "^ ^'if ^' '""^ "™ ""^y
fine condition. So abundant was it that ZU ,?f fhi fi » "*^u*'?<^,*^^"'"g »* '". in veiy
there was yet another crop of gra s grew rthrou..h t^ l.l-Tr.'^ lodged down, and the^
mowing machine, and besides the yielf Ke sDoke.f of ttri w^ '^ grass It was cut with a
to cut, I invited some of our best farm nerghbours and drnv.Tl " 1'^*"\*y ^e were unable
SeVouS ''-'' '^ ^"^ ^' *^-' ^' rerst-Xl^'ofaTuSt^- ra^tlfrnVch'^i^
was^'c^utSSZoT/iSVaT^llrVtS "kt^^.f aT'^^ ^^r^'"'^«^ *^^* *»>-
without any speculation or doubt about it thrhavh;imrwi\,J'''t'* *? ""y ^^^''^ weighing,
smce which time I have had the ground accural -"S^Jji^Sr^^eyoT '? ^"' '" *'« '^^'"•
Helay's :^'''^'" '^ "'""'' °" *^^ «^«P« ^ *h"« ^"^ther referred to by Mr. Wiser.
^^rZtr^.%iS l^^^^^ I had this field manured
acre off it, which was so light that I brokeTnnl„,5 T„nl/ ^^ i ^""^-^ T^^ <="' ^i *""» to the
the same ground. This field the first year yiefded 2 24rh,^rb!/ T"} ^T u'"'«P^ «^ "'^'^ "«
Last fall it was ploughed o..r three times, ^Sti^teddJ^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^''d-
spring I had it ploughed, cultivated, and dra-4d aSin "^n^H «'. ^ ploughed again. This
down. I had a yield th year of 744 bushels tofh!. afri ' i vZ^^ '"*'* "*'«> ^n^ seeded
^. the acre, arrived at, ,..,t by approxrmaSo^^^ four tons of straw
This forty-acre field is a li>rht sE Wm f^^o fi?" ^*.u*' measurement and weighing
drainap t^^ward. the glen Sdr'ivTefthaTdia^rnti?^^^^^^^^^ ^ ^''^^'^ declivity' ff^
"I have reflected in this manner as to this fipl7 tho Aii "' concession,
excessively thick on it, was fresh and not w«ll rnf ,„:, *^!, 'l'^*'"^'"^ '"anure. although spread
n less yield the first season ; the ^^"tason ^01^^11^"^^^''^', Z""'"^' ' '^-'^^ ^'^^'^^^
rot all the manure and upturned sod. and this vpar T ha^ f k f u^ °^ decomposition to fully
and as it is now seeded, /expect a btnt.^ul cro^ of grass and h"av fro"5*/ "^ *!' f^ r""'-^'
five or SIX years. In seeding I used a mixture of fou?n«pt=7.f f -^ .u"" " ^f'^'^y ^"'' *he next
clover seed, and of this I disiibuted aC Z t^ to fhe acre- ' ' "^ '' '"'^ ""' ^''^ "'
,e..,^''t^,V'^« "g'^t time and in the right way. it mav saf«lv b- off „„„d that fb
m
M
'■■,
'71 1W
I
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SI
'tip'
I
ii
312
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
UNDER-DRAINING.
The work of under-draining has, as was, perhaps, to be expected, made less
progress than improvoinents in some otlier branches of agriculture. Its nocoBsity
is not so clearly undorstuud by miiny as it should V)e ; the investment of capital it
involves startles others. The natural drainage afforded by a porous subsoil and a
rolling land are the excuse of not a few for leaving under-draining alone for a
season. Yet nothing is more certain than that under-draining, in ninety-nine casts
out of a hundred, will prove a most profitable investment, and that, in a very lar</o
Kroportion of cases, the farmer's troubles arise from the fact that under-draining
as been neglected. Pursuing tlie same course as that hitherto adopted of placing
the actual experience of practical men before the public, one of the first and most
striking instances of the advantages of under-draining was presented in the evi-
dence of Mr. John Gibson, of Markham, already referred to in connection \yith
crop management. Mr. Gibson went upon his farm in lo.7. He thus describes
the character of his farm at that time : —
"When I first went upon my farm it was a rather peculiar one. It was wet, but not
springy. There were no springs upon it, but it was full of frog ponds, and altogethsr a low,
wet farm, not at all adapted for rai-iing fall wheat. I made np my mind th.at I_ would make
it a good farm if possible, fit for raising any kind of crop, although at that time it was almost
in a state of nature, new and fidl of stumps, I commenced upon a hundred acres, and I laid
out a plan, rongldy indicating what I intended to do."
That Mr. Gibson possessed no extraordinary advantages in the way of capital
or extraneous aid, may be assumed from the fact that it took him thirteen years
to bring the farm into condition for the systematic plan of operations he has since
f(dlowed. Since 1860 his regular rotation has been carried out. In his calcu-
lations he charges §5 per acre for rent or interest of capital. He says on this
point : —
" When I charge $5 for rent, I charge for a farm that is highly improved. Before I made
the improvements on my farm it was not worth more than $3 per acre.
" I consider, on the whole, that the expense which I have laid out upon my farm is repaid
to me in the diminution of the labour on the farm, the comfort of horses, the ease with which
the fields are cultivated and prepared for the crops, and the saving of machinery. There is
one remark that I would make for the benefit of those who have not had so much experience
in draining as I have. Care should be taken to have one drain run along the headland, so
that when the horses turn thev will always turn dry. _ ,. . ,
"Another aflvantage of draining is, that you are able to get the gram m earlier m the
spring. I do not think that, during the last ten years, I have been later than the 20th of
April in being able to sow, and I am nnich earlier in getting my grain sown than my neigh-
bours, whose lands are not draineil, and there is also a considerable difference in the yield of
ths croi)
"Before I drained my land it was hardly of any use for me to sow fall wheat in it. The
highest average was from sixteen to twenty bushels to the acre, and when the midge came
round a great many of my neighbours gave up growing fall wheat altogether. But after I had
drained my farm I had almost always good crops of fall wheat, during the time the midge
was at the worst."
The healthiness and vigour of the plant, promoted by a well-drained soil, would
enable it to resist attacks that would be fatal to less thriving crops. Mr. Gibson's
yield of fall wheat, as already noticed, averages forty bushels, the sample at the
same time being so superioi as to be eagerly purchased for seed at $1.25 per
bushel. Mr. Drury contributes an item from his experience. He says : —
" I have never put in any tile ilrains before this year. In one case I had a field that was
unsafe for the stock to go into in certain seasons. I took that field, cleared tho brush o'lt «f
it and grew several croiw of hay, but it had alwava too much water. I drained it thoroughly,
and the result is that it is better for the cattle than the higher land. Excessive moisture is
not so bad for that field as for those where there are no drains. The water runs off, but there
is no baked surface left behi"'' ; and the dry weather does not affect it so badly as it does the
undrained fields. After having seen the results of my experiments in drainage, if I had ta
borrow money at ten per cent. I think it would pay me to drain my wet lands."
Mr. Dickson, of Tuckevainitb. gives his testimony as follows : —
" My drainage has produced excellent results ; the wet lana which has been drained is
Before I made
been drained is
GENERAL FARMINQ-UNDER-DRAINim. 313
J^^^l^^r:::^^^ neighbourhood, where the value of
One f-mSa2".r,1rm:;j?„^^^^^^^^^^ J*"™- jj-e drained their farmn.
raiHe'Tetjhr^crSryril wt.ra'7lh'er:rw -- « '-„n"ick«and. which used to
l^centa a rod. The tile was Jo ^^^ f^^'TiA^t-:^^::'^ ^^
Mr. James Black of Ramsay (Lanark), who h.., drained extensively says —
of nndlSS^^^^^^^^ and w. J , , J; ^^ ^,^^^
oS'the airnrC'^ofirs'lh^: L''%rf3y-^ ^^^is's:^, t*;
they were under-draiLd.%ft^r^£XThe iTiS^^^^^^
Mr. Andrew Cochran, another Lanark farmer who has under-drained sava •
I wouhi never have got such crop, as I have mentioned but for the drain! "' ^ '~
iJnlglZll :-°'"^°"' ^' ^'°°"'" ^^'^^-)' -ho has expended 83.000 on under-
therl'abouV; onT'MTdS^aJ^aTlte^Srd^^^^ ,«P-* *^.000. or
of the soil whether it would be better to make theS;^^^^! '^^^^"''1 entire y on the nature
a rod apart, the cost is about $40 per acre /L.em, reZlto S,w J^a/"''' ^''A^'^'n^ about.
on drainage, for previomh, it depended entirelTon Z mZ wZZt / wT^ ^ ^^ ',f^"^"^
and now a good crop is a matter of certainty." ^ w/ietfier I had a crop at all or not,
Mr. Smollie. of Vaughan (York), says •—
drai;;sri^ffitix's"a^^^^^^^^^^^^
is not 80 apt to be winter-killed. Thrcausr^f whplf 1 • 'he surface is dry and the wheat
having a cold, damp bottom. We have ruTsomrtS. rL7"*'^^^^^^ '' ^^^ ^act of its
ruH a ureal deal. We have always found iZpC^'irwors^ft rZ^'" '^''^'' '" ''"" ''"""» '^«
Professor Buckland says : —
land woSdt caiwi V:ZinZ^:,fl'X,:Z^^^^^^^^^ 1 draini„g_what in Eng-
pay, In Endand-and I have no d'ubt ? has proveZprottable tVpS" h '^ -°"^^* «.«»«^a"y
drains up anS down a field at uniform distancL wTth litUe rSr«?-^^^ '/ ' "' *° '""
specially wet or comparatively dry, but in this countrv T VhJt „ ''u *°, ,'^1'** P*"^ "^ay be
draining. Nature is the first drainer, and we should aviil^nLY^ '^TI^ ^''*' *"• "atu^e in
within our reach, such as clearing out creeks and fadlitatin^-^bi f *'?^ """*"' ^^^ P'ac«**
surface furrows and deep ditches lacUitatmg the natural egress of water by
marSlltlu-i 'hZTX It^^ at^^t Zjy ZTe^S^^^rTf'"'^' ^^ *^« -"> ^^ «*«
rapidly than moderate or poor soils in a sin^LrSLm^Ti^^^^^^ ''''T,*^^ '""'^b more
our farmers to go into any stereotyped system of dSiLe«n.^"'^K^^^^
parts of the old country, both because thev hav» n^f fl^ ' ^-^ '^^ '^.** '" ^"8"® in many
not think the land in ge'lleral requTrerit ! do not mean SutT'-''^' """^ ^^^^"^« ^ ^^
regarded as a dry field, we shall not improve ?t, but that the i^l--<-h"^''''' ^ '- * "'?^ ^*
injuriously drier, is fallacious. *^ '"^a that we shall make it
" I remember in clearing up the old TJniversUv Pari- ,•», T„,« * 1.
places was verv wet, we hala number of d^aTn8nmiL^dtfe'ei^ *^' f"" '" ""*"?
grass seed,, anrf wherever these drains were put tHugh ?v as we^^a« ^ f^"'"''''''^ 'T" ''''^^
having been moved, and the moisture getting in Xn the JrZ ^Ih *** g'-o»n.c«. the earth
green might afterwards be seen all througKeXw r?1.Z.. f ^' '°'^"' ^'*"^ belts of
that we need not fear over-draining so far as brin^ ntfV,^ !i • 1°'" '"^"Y y^a*"^' indicating
tPLtafinn nf ^rnpc ,-= „^_.. ' "J m^^ I ** bringing the land into a trood statp for tha ..,.t
be profiUblVc^ried:" • ^^'^^ '"' °' '=°"^"^"' "* ''""* beyond whiBh e..penditure'cannot
21
r!i
^! ) !i
I ;
-.1 {i ;: ..
IIP' ■
If piii|j.|
: mi
m
■ M
314
ONTARIO AORICULTURAL COMMISSION.
On the »aine point, ProfeMor Boll remarks:-— •
*' Dr»ln»K«» '■ very necennary In t)>i» co\nitiy, and nometimeii m much «o In <lry m In damp
■oili, M the moisture ii drawn from beneath the drain &h well aa from abovo.
ProfoMor Brown says : —
"The i.roner drainage of land cannot produce drought; It has the very onpoiite effect.
WfUdraitwd land hold* m'mtnre loiujer than anii other land, otilf, U holdi itfvmty. Uimn the
model farm we have had many j.raotical i.roof« of the valua of drainaK-. I can now immt t..
fields there from which the removal of what in called superfluoUH water has produced wonder-
ful results. Drainage Allows of the free access of air into soil, and renders available material
which would otherwise have been useless."
While uttering the caution that (lrainrtfl[e alone, isithout cood farming in other
renpecta, will not suffice, but rather represent money wasted, Mr. Brown goes on to
say :—
"When land is properly drained, we can get upon It earlier in the spring, and this Is a
Hav Ing of time, labouf and s.-".!t. Much of the seed sown in the spring is destroyed by various
cauH«!i, and more is destroyt.i by water, and this d««t",ctu.n is avoided by proper dra^^^^^^^^
It further assists us in pulvnn/ing and cleaning our soils, as we) as quickening the act'"" "'
manures. . . . Drainago, therefore, hastens the harvest It aim. increases the nutritive
™alue of wheat and other grains. Another valuable effect of it is th« '•emovd of the cauHen
of diseases among certain animals. It improves the general hea th of the district, r3n'lei8 the
water purer for animals, and altogether effects improvements which cannot bo over-estimated.
As to the effect of under-draining on the value of lands, Professor Brown
says : —
" With regard to the increased value and productiveness of land by umler-drainage, I may
Bay-(l) wet lan.l. such as swamps, is ..f no agricultural value; (2) half wetlan.l. such as
niLd' ws, is worth fifty cents per acre in rent ; (3) partially wet land, all '>vf - '% ^'''t^ « f.(
per acre ; (») land wet in spots to the extent of one-tenth of its area, is worth S2. 50 per acre ;
. Wdvlh^ei land, or naturally dry land, is worth .il.-SO per acre ; land wet all over will coh
a an acre to complete ; in new townships, therefore, under-draining doubles the cost o
land, and in old ones, half the cost. Xyrainaye repass iUelf in four years, if followed up by ,jo,d
fannitig."
COaT ANn METHODS OF DRAINAGE.
The cost of draining will depend (1) upon the extent of the plans on which it is
undertaken ; (2) the material used ; (3) the natural facilities of which the far- or
may be able, from the situation of his farm, to avail himself. Professor Buckland,
speaking of the various materials available, says :—
••Where access can be had to potteries, the best material to put into drains is the tUe or
Dine ; it will be found cheapest in the end and most to be depended upon. But it is su.pr a-
fng how lo g even brushwood drains will endure, and what good they will do m c«rtaui «o k
In En„'laud. I was personally aware of a case where drains kept open and did good service for
thirty year , and where nothing had been used in laying theni down but heather. The
heather woud. of course, decompose in a few years, and ye the drains remained oP"i- Th«
S wis a stiff, stubborn clay, and the field had been kept in pasture all the time. If it had
been nlouched. I doubt whether the drains wouM have lasted so long. ,, ,,.
'•Manvvearsago we had to lay drains in University Park and coud obtain no pipes
or tileVor anvthinS of that kind, so we used ordinary bricks, hollowed out, pla.m/ one over
the other' but wherever there was shifting ground or quicksands, though the bricks were laid
with great care, in two or three years the drains becanie useless.
"If you have a box drain, so long as the joints keep tight, and do not allow the sand to
KBt in of^couise the drain will continue in good order, but where quicksands e.xist it requir
the greatest care to keep them out of the drain. Wherever water will go, these impalpable
particles will go too, and, by subsiding, obstruct the current.
Mr. Drury has had some practical experience in wood and stone drains. He
says : —
"I have paid considerable attention to drainage, although I have not g""0 '"jo any
neral system of drainage. I have not been able to use tiles untd within the last year.
8 «ood and sto^e drains are what I have used. For wood drains I have used two-inch scant-
K with a six-inch board at the top and bottom, except where the s.ul is hard ani solid in
^'4ch case the bottom board is not needed. I never used any other kind of wood than p ne
vh
some stone drains
••^ " 63 deep— a little deeper than the ordinary tile drain
inch
hi^h are abou*-. tweiitv inches broad, and about tfiree teet two
1 have not had any difficulty wiLli
Iry M in damp
essor Brown
5 drains. He
GENERAL I'ARMINO-UNDER.DRAINim.
Stt^iteJ^ J"^:i.S-&it '^- ^ ^^' '•"•
8»
I would not put in » itone drkln
Mr Gibson thua explains hi. method of proceeding :-
with thmn When I fir,t bejin undS-.L 1 T J^'"'' **">' ^•'•*' '' anything went
• apart ;
from York ville, fifteen mileg. ^*^- ^'"" ' coinmeuced under-draining I dn,w tKle'
draln/w^eT-rpt'tufort J l^i^^^ ^-'"? -«,*'-« '««*. Some of the main
was the «verftK« depth, except whereTt w^l n- - *»":"UKh riHin^ ground ; but three feet
of my knd, about two feet and a-half l «^n„ T T ''I have them deeper. On the HurfZ
that « a marly, white, graving clay ver J har<'{ J.^'^'if'^^r'":."' .".''''"P' «^"v 'luj. and bebw
way of quickHund*. '^ '^"'i'' ^""^y f*""" *<> '»»■ I ha.l hardly any difflculty in thT
guldanJe'r iVft tfrnJattllul^'tT'./ 'T«''* ' ^'^^'^ - ^^-n draining • formv
purpose, r ,«rHonally bu j>ervi7ed Thrp t n'^lH'l ,7h? m' '"='*'".*"'° ""^ "^P"""^ ve for my
to l>e Bure th.t the work was I.r()perly C IwlniAK *'""•' *"''. P"* '" -"""« myself, ho aJ
*"^•Tf::n*7ha'r^'.frn^^rd£r^
of these fiel.lH there Ire nothS b ? ^Z nc'h 1^ •a;.^^'l*'''■r °'-^""' «"°hes. In two or three
are two pjacen where there are four-lnch t.les and thl*^*/ ''" r'^- ^t" '" »"">« «»«««" There
do very well where the land is not ver/wet V.rlhZ .h * ^^ '"ch-and-a-half tiles, wh'oh
Lut^Sif ' 'vf^r } "•'"'•^ P"* themTn^bout thirty Let Snart't. ^l' ''*''• " ' ^ven, nutU^S
put them a little closer. "^'^ '^^"^ *P*rw but in very wet places I would
-^fi^^'^^'^A^^^ to the surface; but I p..fer to
without a bottom lit was one of h V'three-Tnch t leT' whi' '' """ 1,V ^/•»"'« ^^b Pu^ch wn
that was the only drain that I had oSont lift T^T'' "'"'''''^ » horse-Bh.m tile • and
the"til?>.*''> ^**«':^'«hes the earth away fomumbr them 'rHf/^TT'"^'"^ *»>« ho^e-sh";
the tdeH; it i8 not necessary on such hard land a. m v ?. , ' ^^^ ""* '*y »ny timber under
the i.antH ,.f the tiles by putting a little Sraw on tbL k"! *? ««mpo«ed of. { uned to cover
needed at all. I now just put the earth uj^nthera!"' '**''" *°""^ ''^*«^>' »'»•'' ^^ *« not
PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS. *
perCe^rtt ^^u? oTdti^ was%eouetfT' '-^^'"^ ^^^ « ^^^ '"«« ex-
method. He accordingly d d so at rm«7 u^ ^^^'ve an explana^n of his
almost exclusively of pri^tical detail i? w ]/ Ke^ '"^'' ^^ *^^ ^^'^^ement consists
After perusing it, any farmer wS Im- e ^hl ^^J'^'^''^^ *« q»ote it almost in full.
wUh the workof drai!:Hnghiso;i^ir M^SSTays"^^^^" ''^^ ^^^^^^^-^
itscoill^^^^^^^^
say eight feet long, the c^eSLrofwa should rboltt T'^ T't 'r**^ "^"-^ <» ^^^aight edge
of a nicely.painted hardwood stake/five ^ six Let i"*' R^**'i'^'^.''y totheskf;
ground at any desirable point on the line of the in tfn. 17', .Syi"^^^ this stake into the
may be ea.dy turned to*^the exact 1 vel while 1 v nni^ l^^*'"' ^^^ «*''*'ght edge so attached
another person, at another point of the h. tended ,Ln i^'^^'T ,*" * measuring pole held bv
be ob',ained, and the best possible outlei found ™"' * ^»""'l«'ltf« "^ the lay of the land maj
incommencS"Mlrain"^rer];K'fit^^^^^^^^ ^« •»«"«-ed here, and that is that
of more thonnfgh drainVe Tsome^uture th^e P ''""T«'"?i? "'-^^^ foundation of a syfem
and of a capacity, that is not onTy suSfent to caf r? .T *'^' *.*'''*." '"''^ should be at a dejt™
the wat. th.t must come through i^SJ^^^^ 2^^^ it." ?,^£j ^^1
pains Jan ht:3l?K& SSf g^?, * n?" 'ftttfi'^'? '« t «"''^- '"P-*-- ^^at too much
foundation is to a building. lucceKpTud. Jnon r^/*'%"i"t--'' '* ''■'>' ""P""-'-"' '*'' -"^
-It ^.id <,., commence witfi a good one, even if it Hi!,.ni,l ^ IT t-'='=»'rc cne moat economical in
mean by a good one is a free Lit for th:TateVfVot'ft2 aM^e-ftt dJaS"''" '''''''
m
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I !
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ilM
I
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■I
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M
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I
9^6 ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
«'Tn regard to the dfmtton a drain should take, no certain rule can be given, further than
that it Bhould always be as far as possible along the lowest part of the field so that lateral drams
m^v be run into it from either sfde when desired. It is also important that as much of it as
Sble shouhl be on a straight line. If the direction must change, on account of the lay of
the land, it should be at angles, instead of curves.
CUTTINO AND GRADINQ THB DRAIN.
"When the course of the drain is made out, the plough should be run along the line and
*!, f 1, aLv«lle?i back and this repeated till all is done that can be done with horse power.
Ther'n oSr to'^^^^h^^p^^^^^^^^^ grade along the bottom, the following plan f have
foun^ to be exce^lent^ ^^^ ^^^^^.^^ ^j ^ lj„3 f^^ f^^^ above where the bottom is in-
f ^ J to hf soXt the eye may be used in making it horizontally straight. Drive stakes in
tended to be, «" »f ^P,"'^^^^^ ^rain. and nail a strip of board between theui, the upper ed-e to
K;a'i^ht Ldlevef and five fee "^ the intended bottom If the drain is to be three and
be straight ana levei.ai ^^^ ^^^ ^ ^^^^ j^^^. ^^^^^ ^j^^ ^.j^face of
t\e1roun1. fhe disSe ^^^^^^^^ those sights will depend on the length of the drain that is
°° * '"Whffiu wanted is that the finisher of the drain should always have some two of the sighte
K.f«rP him and with a rod similar to the half of a carpenter's ten-foot pole, try the bottom by
SttTng it on end at every two or three feet, and sighting over the top, whicJi should always
-"fS'tSitTerti*^^^^^^^^^ dispensed with by simply d-ing
boarAker^^^^^^^^
fct'f uo'per""eSd mSt aVw^^^^^^^^^ "ne-five fee't above the intended bottom.
?«L five^eet but an^ height may be used that is most convenient to the digger. If his sights
I aajr "J„«J**^'' "" tuX,,ttoiii then his rod must be six feet long in order to correspond.
"'' " ThTs otn of graSSe bottom has become very general iu the community where I live,
ihis P,^*" ^I'/^'f j"!^^^ „ .nitv I would therefore recommend it a trial, and especially
and IS found to be "[«'«** ".i,''f' :„ done which I think best. Water interferes very much
"•'.^"'^ V'-r ZK>rk *Iltevfry tile ait^rTt is laid to bear my weight without sinking,
Tnd tC cSrbeTone in soft JlacTs, in the presence of water, and the smaller the tile the
«'^'^" OntrTnStJldrthTiJe alwS wet. and difficult to dig, on account of the tendency to
On sprmt,y lanas" early summer, as deep as possible j when the water
rarstolild%u£gfdTg a l?tH«'£pSand soL till the bottom is reached in the fall, before
heavy rains."
QUICKSAND.
., T. i. u v>= fi,» m-oafeaf difficultv in a large portion of the country to the making of
" But perhaps the greatest dit^^^^^^^^ ' Mach of it is so fine and movable in the presence
good work IS fl'ePiSTts way through the best joints that can be made with tile. .
"^ '^^ U is theretore neces ary in such'places that the drain be made at a time when there is
It IS 'nereiore ne^e»»* nVcessarv in order to have a permanent dram, to dig out the sand
no water present It IS ajs^.ne^e^^^^^^ with clky or other materials that will not
two or \V,7,%CSld t pa^l^ed^^"^^^^^ *"' '" W it should be surrounded with
wash. 1 his «houW De pacKea ^ , ^^ jf ^^^^ j^ jone as it should be, those beds
7:^:^:th^^^-^/^^ drU wm serve a good purpose, in bringmg water,
as laterals." ^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^^^ DRAINS.
• < P.„i,oV.lv the best size of tile for general use is three inches, but where there ia consid-
" Probably the oest s ze oi uie i k .^^j^^^ ^^ ^.j^^ hundred
erable water, and especially If ^^^^^ ^.V ^^ ^^^ ^^ ^^^^^ ^^^ conditions
feet, a larger «'^e J'^^.'^^^f "'"'^^^^^ of fall, and quantity of water. Where the land is
should always be taken into^^ twoli.ich tile, if well laid in lateral drains of
Buch that a good sohd b^^^^J^^'',*,'^ %^^;,«e. Bat, in connecting laterals with the main, the
rSe shcmld no be oiTthe same'lev^el, but through a hole on the top, made for the pur-
01 /?°°s±e'Vr?te7s^S 4 e^^^^^^^ ^^^th that must be cut at the surface, in
Vr to it thrS in^to lay the tile properly, qnito overbalances the advantage of this
extrl depth! For thorough drainage, at 4 feet, they must be a little nearer togetlier."
DANGER OP BILT.
GENBRAtj FARMING— VNDER-DRAININO. ^If
i^1he'li^a;cfs^^L^\*^^^^^ " *^^* «"* -" ^« -^^^^^ ^o- t^e steep part and lodge
water. ^ account of the less fall, and consequently slow movement of the
and 'l^e^pl'acf marked so ZHt^^t^ * ^** stone well packed around the sides with clay,
object7at dXrTntSdes of tht fiL t^ occasionally be cleaned out. It may be marked by
point" ^'°'''*"' "^^^ "^ ^^"^ ^^^^- tl»e Amgonal lines between which cross each other at this
DRAINING TOOLS — 8UPKRVISI0N.
old co!litrv°*^Ti[ *«°1« ^^V°H.I have adopted are those which have been approved of in the
from an old drag-saw, riveted by a blacksmUh to a handle ^ ^ ^^^^ '""" ""^ "^^^^
ground, so that in a few years the drain becomes entirelvworthLs-PvArv fa^li k i5
^Vher. th,r. „ good under-dmrning, Ihore i. no necc.itj for .iL^dSg rt .IL^
a» tEsXrf W^ tp:?Un°i ri^"-''-^""^. P'*— B-™ «i™ *e following
Four-feet drain, with four-inch tiles
Three-feet dr.iin, with three-inch tiles"
Four-Ieet drain, with six-inch tiles .
Cutting.
« c.
35
2S
35
Laying
Tiles.
8 c.
05
005
05
Filling
Drain.
$ c.
05
04
005
Cost of
Tiles.
$ c.
32
21
080
Total
Cost.
S 0.
77
68
1 25
Mr. Gibson's estimate is as follows : ~
"}!':*Ar!.^fil**l*l!« ^.°«*°f drainage, when I first put in my drains, the cost was not so
m days' labour, at 75 cents a day soo ari
Board of men 9^£ oi^
2, 400 feet of two-inch tiVes" .".'!.. *.'.*"; ,f S2
100 feet of one-inch tile ... . ' ^' ^
HSKtues'""^ '^"'"^' ' ''"*'" ^"^°^' '^"^'issrod;: ::;::::::::::;: ? 75
7 00
Total cost of draining 155 rods "wT^
The
Mr. Cochran, Lanark, says : —
H.
1
318
ONTARIO AGBICULTUBAL COMMISSION.
drain in 1852, and it is running yet.
but for the drains."
I never could have f^ot such crops as I have mentioned
It would be easy to dilate at almost any length on the advantages of under-drain-
ing, but reasons sufficiently cogent to induce every farmer to make a beginning with
the best materials and means to hand have already been presented. The difficulty
of providing funds without paying too heavy a rate of interest or encumbering an
estate, is met by the very liberal terms on which the Government of Ontario lends
money for this purpose.
Under the Ontario Tile Drainage Act of 1878 (41 Vic. chap. 9), municipalities
may borrow from the Government on 20 years' debentures, bearing 5 per cent, in-
terest, and payable, with sinking fund, representing 8 per cent, in all, in 20 years —
sums not less than ^2,000 nor more than $10,000 in amount, to be loaned to owners
of lands within the municipality, for the purposes of tile draining. The by-law for
borrowing such money must be passed at a special meeting of the Council, but does-
not require the sanction of a vote of the ratepayers. Not more than $1,000 can be
loaned to any one person- The Act provides for inspection of the work by a person
appointed by the Council, and other guarantees for the proper application and the
repayment of the money. It is to be collected from the borrower at the rate of
eight dollars for every one hundred dollars borrowed by him for twenty years, unless
the amount of indebtedness be earlier discharged. By an Act passed in the follow-
ing year (1879) (42 Vic. chap. 8), the benefits of the first-named Act were extended
to persons desirous of borrowing for the construction of stone or timber drains.
SUBSOILING.
The subject of subsoiling was brought under the notice of the Couimissioners on
several occasions, but in no case more prominently than by Mr. David Caldwell, of
Gait, whose name has already appeared in connection with fruit-growing.
Successive seasons of drought let Mr. Caldwell, six or seven years ago, to turn
his attention to subsoiling. His land is not easy to manage on this system, as it ia^
on a stony ridge, and the stones turned up have to be thrown out He claims,
however, that the results fully justify the cost.
The cost of subsoiling per acre, Mr. Caldwell states to be just double that of
common ploughing. A span of horses only is necessary, the plough merely stirring
the subsoil, not turning it up. The cost of a subsoil plough, he says, is only about
eight or ten dollars.
Every farmer, Mr. Caldwell argues, does not require subsoiling. Porous, sandy
subsoil, for instance, would not need it, but where the soil is a clay loam the effect
is very marked. He says : —
"Looking at the fact that the larger number of farmers plough at a certain depth, and
that they keep the plough going at that depth for a number of years, I think it would be a
good thing for them to subsoil where possible. Through the horses' feet treading on it and the
sole of the plough running on it, it becomes packed like a road and the roots of plants cannot
penetrate it. The moisture ia retained longer in land that is subsoiled, because the soil is
made deeper in that way."
After mentioning the excellent effect that subsoiling appeared to have had on a
crop of turnips, Mr. Caldwell goes on to say : —
" The subsoil plough follows the common plough, which goes to the depth of about nine
inches. The subsoil goes in the bottom of the furrow eight or nine inches. Tlie soil is stirred,
say about sixteen or eighteen inches. The general character of the soil I have been subsoiling
is clay loam, pretty stiff in the bottom. I find that there is clay, in places, that ia very stiff ;
although it does not retain water, it is so stiff that the roots of plants do not penetrate it, and
anything that is growing upon it suffers badly from drought. By stirring up this soil with a
subsoil plough the plants are enabled to obtain moisture, because their roots go deeper."
The effects of subsoiling on fruit and trees are thus described : —
" I find that the subsoiling makes a great difference in the strawberries. It is also a great
a/lvvAH^n/vA i-fx fVio ^*><iACi iirVllon rfr*t^\tT /\r» ^ha lor»r5 A /»»«/-»r\ /■»* n«r»lia ^«>AAa ^srK«j«K •*• ia A.nnAX jrk«u%^
•,* V r*»**t»Yl*' **'* *•••*■ »■• • * — ■ •■ ••*V-.. •_...•. -... «Iir; I. ■.*•... S^ •.....!* ..* (wjl****- ^..n.r^ *••*(<. i^ ^.. an >_'• tf •»;• ;*:>i *-• q
should be allowed to grow four years before they are transplanted, I can grow in three years,
by subsoiling, fit tu transplant. I think all other crops benefit from it in just about the same
ve ncentioned
Eive had on a
GENERAL FARMIN —SUBSOILING.
Z19
proportion. The beneficial results have been, I think, more noticeable in trees than in any-
thing else, for the reason that trees penetrate the subsoil more than the grain crops, especially
L«n^h?Vi J •''*'•" ?'yi.**%*^\Tu*^'*V J^'e^^hty weather has not so much effect oA land that
^^" f ' » • '''^"'® ^ ^* ^**=' ^^""^ '^® «""'»8 "f '* "P »llow8 the moisture which is below to
comG lip* *
The beneficial effects on the wheat crop are said to be equal to those already
mentioned. Mr. Caldwell says : — ^ j
th. ~«.,u="Z** "J" conclusions as regards the benefits derived from subsoiling, by comparing
?f«^£^ f obtained on land that was subsoiled with those on land which was not I find that
it IS about equally as beneficial to wheat, and all other crops, as to trees. We are now cutting
a heavy crop of clover, seeded down this spring, on where fall wheat grew. In the oW cSuntrf
SL/tr.fh«^*^'^"!f' ''' fLyr«hire and I^emember the first thing he dW on somTof hU
* th»t he improved was, thoroughly to drain and then subsoil it, and that made new fields
out ofland that was comparatively worthless. My knd here is naturally dry.
nnf . h vlt "^' Sram does not ripen so quickly on land that is subsoiled as on land that is
not ; It hangs out longer, and the grain fills better. We sold some oats to the miller here D
Spiers, and he said they were the best that came into the mill. The skL was thin and the
straw wa^ bright and nfce. This season we have sold our fall wheat at $l.%when'the most
the wheat round only commanded $1.00. $1.02. and «1.03-the same wiJof wh^r T
attribute that difference very much to the subsoiling."
Professor Buckland's remarks on this matter will be worth attention After
strongly advocating under-draining, Professor Buckland goes on to say :—
fUo/r^^ *^*" ^^ lu*^ ^^"^ ^ t ''"^®', ^P^^^i by all the experience I have ever had. and by aU
that I know on the matter, that subsoiling or deep ploughing on land that requirerd raining
does no good, hut rather harm. The proper methoS to follow is to drain tKndonevear
and the next to cultivate it deeper, or subsoil it. I had a good deal of experienced the cofl'
wet clays of England, and that is a rule I have universally found benefid^ ^
Where land has been cultivated in a shallow and imperfect manner,' it has been found
denJnd"i'"thl'J'''if Ti*^'' adopt deeper cultivation by deg^es, and much in thi^respect wUl
depend on the depth of the soil and the character of the subsoil. I have seen great losses bus.
tamed, particularly in the old country, from the neglect of this precaution. As a rule cultl
vation in Canada has been, and still is, too shallow; but I have observed of late years 'amon^
our advancing farmers, a tendency to plough deeper, to the depth in some instances of Sh^
rL^ ?«' '""tI"'' ' k' T'"^ ^''u^- 'l'^'^*"'^ '" * «"P""°^ '"'^""^•^ a«d attended by satisfactory
ITW v^ ^u^^°'^ P'*""?,^ i.' begmnmg to attract attention, and its operation in drriand
has, I believe, been generally beneficial. f ••>. "u ary lana
locsenfng'it/ °"'"^' ^ ^^ ''"' "^*° trenching or bringing the subsoil to the surface, but merely
^^Mr. James Thomson, of Brooklin, has also tried subsoiling with good results.
" ^ have tried subsoiling with good results, using one plough after another, as I have never
f.?.f.'''^'°'^ P'''"^^ ^^""i ^i"'^^^ ™i • '^^^ "hject is to loose! the soil, not to t^rn it up as it
IS apt to become packed below, and roots, instead of striking downward, branch off laterally
when they come to the subsoil. The effect upon root crops especi^V is very marked." ^
The question of subsoiling is by no means a novel one. The foregoing evidence
IS quoted merely as a fresh contribution from intelligent and practical observers to
an interesting branch of inquiry. Enough is said, even in the brief compass here
devoted to subsoiling, to show, first, that it may be at times exceedingly beneficial ;
and secondly, that it should be resorted to only under certain conditions, and with
proper caution. '
I
ONTARIO AORICULTUBAL COMMISSION.
lifw
CHAPTER IX.
DAI EYING.
I II
The progress of dairying in Ontario and its beneficial eflFects on the agriculture
of the country have already been mentioned. The rapid development of the cheese-
producing branch of the dairying industry has been most surprising. In 1857, 1858,
and 1869 the exports of cheese from Canada, — probably of a local character only to
a few places in the States, the Reciprocity Treaty being then in force, — were 124 cwt.,
117 cwt., and 323 cwt. respectively. In 1860, 1863 and 1864 they were 1,110 cwt.,
466 cwt., and 1,138 cwt. The highest money value of the above years was $16,199.
In 1879-80 the exports of cheese from Canada amounted to no less than 43,441,112
lbs., the declared value being $4,094,046, or nearly ten cents per lb., in a year
during a portion of which prices were unusually low. Of this 40,368,678 lbs. was
the produce of Canada — 3,000,000 lbs. of American cheese apparently finding its way
to a foreign market from Canadian ports, — only 106,816 lbs. of imported cheese,
valued at $11,729, being entered for consumption in Canada In 1869 Canada im-
ported 857,951 lbs. of cheese, paying for it $97,998, and, in 1864, 746,480 lbs.
■weight of cheese, valued at $80,532.
The Commissioners have had little difficulty in discovering to what causes the
success of the cheese-making, and the less gratifying results of the butter-making
branch are respectively due. And they ha^ i the satisfaction of knowing that no
causes other than those the intelligent exertions of the farmers of Ontario may
easily overcome, stand in the way of a trade being secured for butter as large and
promising as the foreign market for cheese. The latter industry will be first
noticed.
CHEESE.
The manufacture of cheese in factories instead of private dairies m y be said to
have been inaugurated in Western Canada by Mr. Harvey Farrington, of Herkimer
County, New York, who settled in Oxford County, Ont., about the year 1864.
Most persons will to-day agree with Mr. Ballantyne's remark, made in the course
of his evidence, that to Mr. Farrington a deep debt of gratitude is due for his
efforts in the establishment of this — to Canada — new industry. In the year 1866 a
great extension of the cheese manufacturing system took place in the western
oounties. In that year, too, as mentioned in his evidence, Mr. Ketoham Graham,
after visiting the dairy districts in the States, put up the- first cheese factory in the
County of Hastings, now one of the greatest cheese-producing centres in Ontario.
The township returns give over five hundred cheese factories as being at the present
time in existence in this Province, and it is probable that nearly if not quite five
hundred are actually in operation. A large number are carried on upon co-operative
principles by the farmers themselves. Others are worked either singly or otherwise
by large manufacturers, and some, conducted by private persons, are designed to
meet the wants of districts w^here the population is sparse, and only a limited num-
ber of patrons, consequently, can be found to share in the benefits. All these are
represented in the evidence to which — so far as manufacturing details are con-
cerned — those most directly interested are referred. The main requirements of
cheese factory operations are, in fact, now so well understood that it would be
almost a work of supererogation to repeat them in this place.
Mr. D. M. Macpherson, of Lancaster (Glengarry), who was examined as a wit-
ness, is running no less than thirteen cheese factories at the present time. Mr.
Macpherson receives uae-and-a-half cents per pound, which covers, lie says, "all the
work of manufacturing, selling, boxing, keeping the books and paying the dividends,
BAlRYim— CHEESE. 321
^ut'Ii^ii?' '" ^^'*' ^^•?*P* ^'^-^''^^ the miik. Hia operations cover an area of
tern of .nn!? "^"'^^t ™^^*^ **"d "tilize the milk of some 4,000 cows. By the svs
?fle person a JX*''" management of so large a number of factories in t'ie ha/ds
bein^ aC«^.K ^''"i standard of quality is secured, the want of that uniformity
l^XZnJi^i::l^''Xi^J'^ """^"^^ ^'^^" manufacturing system, '"tl
Stical pe«iS should h'a've fhfn'f ^ throughout the country, I [hink it Vbetter that oS
should beCn^S semratelv T th^Tf^^ "^^ ''°*r" "^ '*"*""««• t*^^" *hat each factory
provement o^i The prS factorv «vlL,^ ! '1?.*^'? "! management would be as great an im-
raise the standard Kees?evervwh«r. TK*''^ ^"^^""^^ '% *?" '*>« P"^**« dairy. It would
want of uniforXttn riSd'eal SttSZZt^'''' "' P'"^"* '' *'^* ^'^^'^ " *
Mr. Ballantyne alludes to the same subject at considerable length. He says •-
number^o'f ZrtesTwould tt IV^-Sf^*'-'^ T '""".^^ *» ^ave the management of a
cessfut bKme o^tLlen who' w^r^«^o!J'^"f '^iT"''*'e" "l'^« ^*'=^""«« ^^at were very sue
one, until thereTs what w" calHhe Wp«W„ tJ "V^''lV^''"g^* "l^* *^« ""^^^"^ factories, one by
another man ten,Ind sron and n^rlta^l t J ^'^ Combination, one man owning twenty,
change in the sjS hrit?reiraTtL'd"th^.%t" Ttht'ZJJ'' '""A '''''■ '^^'
very much higher than the cheese^hich comrfrtSorl^s S^^er i^.l^tnt^.^ZZt^.
detect what wm wrontr InH ,^,?]^ f^ ?' ^h^'^^s a skilled cheese-maker could at once
andl hrve end^voured mvllf'^^L^^ ""^Ta^^] . ^ ^*^« «^«" ^^'^ °>*»y illustrations of this,
understandin^of their b,?J„!l« r h^ ^'"'l' '''*' '" ^^^ "^fK^^ educating dairymen to a proper
strongly ur^el When I was in Net Yorte i;*T"«d "l^* t^is matter has not been more
maUuSuring:- ^""P^''^'^" might manage their own business, and have men to So thf
i.^S^rfn^ generally, this seems to be the one thing necessary to make the renu-.
however iZ^T '^'''' ^^'"^"/"^^ unassailable. Even as maters stTnd at pLsenl
aiTthat melL S'l''*''*" ^"n satisfaction with the position Canadian cheese-
market Mr RklWvn'^^'^T^'T" .l^^'^P*'""' 0"ta"o cheese-holds in the British
^ZT * .V ^*"*"*yne, who has the very best opportunities for forming a iude-
I* '• <
' t
if
I j
I 1
gi.:
m
as2
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
lish Cheddars, from Bath, England, the judges mentioning that the next best were three
Canadian cheeses, which I hivd ihe honour of Helectin^.
" Last fall a similar exhibition was held there, which lasted for two weekr, and there were
a great many entries of English cheese of both kinds. The sweepstakes prize was given to
three Canadian cheeses."
While it is possible, Mr. Ballantyne thinks, that in England a small quantity of
Cheddar cheese is considered superior to the best Canadian, he holds the opinion
that our best fall cheese — that made in the latter part of August, or in September
or October — would obtain a higher price in England than eighty per cent, of Eng-
lish Cheddar. In support of this view Mr. Uallantyne mentions an incident that
once came under his notice. He says : —
" Looking at a lot of Canadian cheese which I once shipped to a gentleman in London, I
asked him how they would compare with the finest English Cheddars. He said he did not
know where he could buy a ton of as fine English Cheddars, tho'i^h there was » limited quan-
tity supposed to be finer, but it would sell at a higher price. "
A very considerable assistance to the cheese indu been given by the
Associations of Dairymen, now existing as incorporated ■ sties in the Province,
and holding their conventions annually for the discussion of matters of common
interest. If there has been anything wanting in the proceedings of these bodies,
it is that they have directed their attention too exclusively to chetse, and left
the sister interest of butter to take care of itself. Mr. Ballantyne, however, ap-
pears to hint at some change in this respect. After all, the question whether
Canadian cheese shall maintain the ground it has now secured must be determined
by the dairy farmers of Ontario themselves. Cheese-factory managers and direc-
tors will be glad, no doubt, tc read every word of the evidence of such men as Mr.
D. M. Macpherson, as to the mode of conducting operations within the factory itself.
But the patrons have their duties too, and be they ever so honest, unskilfulness or
negligence on their part must always thwart the efforts of the moat able and expe-
rienced manufacturer to turn out a really first-class article. Between the advice
given by Mr. Malcolm in the paper he furnished at the request of the Commission-
ers in this regard, and the evidence of Mr. D. M. Macpherson, it is hoped the whole
duty of the dairy farmer will be found to be fully set forth. The best kind of cattle
for the ordinary dairy farmer has been already indicated, but a few points relating
to the management of the cattle may here be usefully noticed. First, Mr. Malcolm
urges the importance of warm and well-ventilated stables. He says : —
" A certain amount of heat must be kept up. If this is not attained by good walls, the
cow uses the food she eats for that purpose. If those that are behind in this matter could
only see their animals burning their food in order to keep warm, they would open their eyes
to the importance of a good stable, and would, no doubt, soon procure one. It is now becom-
ing very common to build such stables as a basement under the barn. They are cheap, con-
venient, and in every case answer the purpose admirably. "
In the next place, the food must be liberally administered. Mr. Malcolm
says : —
" But, as I before remarked, the cow is a machine for turning food into milk, and jt mat-
ters not how good the machine is, it cannot work without material to work uijon. Just how
to feed in order to realize the largest profit is a question on which there is a diversity of
opinion. Some think it pays to feed corn, bran, and chopped ntuffs. Others are of a differ-
ent opinion, but are satisfied with a smaller quantity of milk, if it is made from unmarketable
produce and pasture ; almost everything is sold that will bring money, except hay, and a few
will go even the length of selling that — to such an extent, at all events, that the cows are simply
kept in a living; condition.
" Now, those who feed beef cattle know, that, if they do not give their cattle more than
will merely supply the requirements of life, they will never make beef, and it is ju^t so with
cows ; it is the extra food over and above what is actually req\iired to keep the machine in
working order, that can be turned into milk. The dairyman that is afraid to piit in this extra
food, for fear he will never see it again, is like a miller that, after being at the expense of
building a mill, is afraid to buy wheat to giind in it. As far as theory is concerned, one
would think that if all the profit is derived from the extra food, the more of it the better.
But to judge from the practice of many, it is evident they are unbelievers."
^T•• R^i^r»»NT» ^^*»«*ir* 0»^ 4-|>^^ anytr*^-^ n^\\n^ anTTCi * ..
" Great improvements have been made in stubles the last few years since factories were
were three
ictories were
DAIRYING—CHEESE. 333
,„nw.*''® ^^**^'"^ '" ^^^. V^^' however, will not secure an abundant supply of
oeenng strain, such as the Durham, he will not have so much occasion tn uxit nn
mth mfenor milkers. Every one of the latter should be Turned over to the drove?
or shipper as early as possible. Mr. Malcolm says in this connecSn :-
cow that ^"fiJve ^'^''^Si'^l??'"^ *"• ^^"l ""^ ^'"^' •^'""P^^^d of third cows. A
^ «)0 iH af «->rt^ T no P?""^8 of °»»lk a year is a cheaper cow at $m than a cow that eives
r«^n;51?l™^°®V°*^r^*"y''^ry«'^*°*.^"f°'''n'^*i"'^a« *« the average annual
EL iff ''-■, ^^ I" beefing so in milking, he looks chiefly to the profit on the
As to the yield per cow, Mr. Malcolm remarks •—
Mr. Macpherson says on this subject :—
" About 450 or 500 pounds of cheese is the highest average ner cow in anv nnn horA tj,»„
were a select native stock, with perhaps a sprinkling of Ay^hi^es and DurhUs TLaTn/
dred IS a very good average, but the.e cattle^-ere very wefl cSred for aid weU sd^^^^^
Me gives the following as the points in a good dairy cow •—
COST OP FOOD, AND PROFITS.
In regard to cost of food, and profits, Mr. Malcolm says •—
nil
i'f
'h
IS
ill
J-
1%
"11
I
394
ONTARIO AQEIOULTUBAL COMMISSION.
PROPORTION OP CHEESE TO MIIK.
Then as to the proportions of cream or of cheese to milk, Mr. Maopherson
says : —
• J "■^'■o''" 14 to 16 per cent, is the standard of cream in good average milk. Wo cannot
judge each man's milk from one common standard ; but we get a standard of the quality of
eadi man's milk, and judge what we shall get from him in the future. Some herds give
richer milk than others, and we have to take a medium average of all.
" In estimating specific gravity we allow from 93 to 100 for good milk. Fresh morning
milk will not show as high a specific gravity as the night's milk. If the milk was diluted I
would make a variation of from 5 to 6 per cent.
_ "The average amount is about ten pounds of milk to a pound of cheese, aiid the average
18 becoming more and more every year. We took more last year than ever before, because we
had to make a dryer and firmer cheese. It is not possible to make a fine cheese for export on
a lar^e average under existing demands of the market.
' The latter part of the season has quite an advantage over the fore part in reference to
the yield— the milk is much thicker, and there is a larger proportion of the solid parts of the
milk in the fall than in the summer— from 5 to 15 per cent. more. "The month of June will
give a better yield than May, and July and August generally fall behind June. I cannot
account for this. I know that in June we always get a slightly better average than in July,
and in the latter part of August, September and October there is an improvement right along."
Mr. Macpherson, it will be recollected, is making cheese in a district where pro-
gress in improving stock has not been so rapid as in Oxford, where Mr. Malcolm
resides. The latter speaks of 6,000 pounds of milk per cow as the result of a rather
exceptionally good season. That represents, at Mr. Macpherson's estimate, 600
pounds of cheese per cow. Mr. Malcolm, however, probably would not regard 450
pounds as an extraordinary yield.
Mr. Daly, of Thurlow, Hastings, gives the following as his experience :—
"I obtain on an average about $30 per cow for the milk sent to the factory, and besides
this I make between 400 and 500 pounds of butter, or about $5 per cow. The calf is worth $1,
or if kept till fall $5 or $6, making about $4* per head as the average proceeds.
" I do not feed my cows over one ton of hay each per annum, which costs $8 or $9. The
pasture costs about $5 for the season, and $1 will pay for the meal. I calculate that the manure
IS worth, at least, as much as the straw, so that $15 or $16 would be rtbout the total cost of
keeping a cow. I do not raise many calves, but supply myself by purchasing."
MANAGEMENT OP DAIRY CATTLE.
In regard to the milking and handling of cattle, Mr. Malcolm says ; —
"A great deal might be said on the general treatment of cows, but my remarks are already
too long. Sufficient to say that, after comfortable stabling, liberal feeding, and abundance of
good water, kindness should rule. No kicking or clubbing, no driving with dogs. Everything
should be done to keep the cows placid and quiet. All excitement will reduce the quantity
of milk and otherwise injure it. Every cow should be a pet, that will not step out of your
way, but rec|uire you to go round. A little patting, stroking, and currying I beheve will pay.
But, as I said before, we don't practise as well as v/e know."
TREATMENT OP MILK.
In the treatment of the milk the first essential is absolute cleanliness and the
absence of anything that will taint or contaminate. Mr. Malcolm says about this
important matter : —
" I have no space to speak of the necessity for cleanliness in milking, but here is where the
great danger from impurities lies, and not only from actually filthy material, but from offensive
odour in stables. It is utterly impossible to bring pure milk from a rank-smelling stable.
Nothing will absorb those odours quicker than warm milk ; great care should therefore be
taken to ventilate before milking, and to remove the milk as quickly as possible to pure air."
Mr. Macpherson goes further into detail on the same point. He says : —
" The first steps taken in organizing a factory are of great importance, especially the edu-
cating patrons to see the necessity of delivering their milk in proper condition ; keeping the can
clean, and giving it the greatest attention possible. The milk is delivered in the morning of
each da^. Great attention is paid to having the milk aerated before being sent to the facto-
ries. That is a point which I impress very strongly on my patrons. It should be aerated
.. .„ .i .-IZ*. .. Ml...., «.. »:...> ..!..,..> ...£ ....,, .lijlt* tS'Uf? gfV^Vf? •i!*>rT7 CCTfSIl/ i TT llCll 1&
IS properly aired it should be cooled down to about 65 degrees to preserve it from souring.
M»cpherson
Wo cannot
lie quality of
le herds give
re8h morning
weta diluted I
d the average
e, beoauae we
for export on
i reference to
d parta of the
of June will
le. I cannot
than in July,
right along."
t where pro-
Ir. Malcolm
t of a rather
timate, 600
t regard 450
56 : —
, and besidea
[f is worth $1,
} or $9. The
it the manure
I total coat of
E8 are alreadj
abundance of
Everything
the quantity
p out of your
leva will pay.
ess and the
3 about this
9 ia where the
rom oflfensive
elling stable,
therefore be
to pure air."
TB : —
ially the edn-
eplng the can
le morning of
to the facto-
id be aerated
I,. Tiri St.
I J t TT iitrii I*
Tom souring.
DAIRYING— SMALL PRIVATE FACTORIES. 326
pr^ct'of I'^^tin^^^^^^^^ ^"^ -- «ff-*-"y *han at the fa^to^lhl
dipp^r^^L^mSSlySTtttilk:?^ f^-"''"'^ ^-^ ^"T ^^^l^" ^'^ *"«"*y "»'""*«". ^ith a
is warm. It ia much better to cool thk JL" TU '"•P^t*'! that it should be aired while it
tributed in smaC quantitfes it pL h„ .i i ^\ ^"™k' *''°', *•»*"• ** *^« factories. Being dia-
after it ia i^lkS whS r'the Zn«r tT^^^^ V^rck^vy ^t. can be aired immediately
vapour, wherea^!i Thenu k w»Jr3n^T4o^^^^^^^^^ P'«' *"?«» P»«« «« '^
would be retained in the mS Yon ^« A fining "^""'^ it was a.rec! or cooled, these gases
milk is cooled at home, ev™ ythfng efsrbSg'equal.' "^ """^ " '^"'' 'i"""*^^ ""^ °**^««« " '^e
He says, further, on the same point :—
have'giveir we ge't rid of *ks atirrnKdr/ * ThTol?*'-^' ''"^ ^^ 1"?}^°"'"/ '"^^ directions I
warm it rises in vapour, but if y^ucoonhe aaZ mUlr wif'h '^/'"'^^^'^ '^Pd when the milk is
perceived whenevefit is warmed uoZain T hLL „ . '^r*^- *«''*t.ng it the odour can be
the patrons to take proper ™re of thf milk h«na^L ". ^""^^^ '? "^K "e^.f^ctoriea in getting
The manner of cooling is thus referred to •—
from 90 or 95 degreea to 60 o?70 dSees XZ"i« I" ,«*• ^.^r"."^'" '"^'^^^^ *he milk
satisfaction at the factory." ^ ' ^ " * sufficiently low temperature for good
SMALL PRIVATE FACTORIES.
^n''th:r;jf ^^ r'^"^^ ^^ ^^- ^y-^' «"« "f f,,? commissroners '
In the districts referred to a good deal of dairvin^/ is carried on Th. .^ *
contiguous to the waters of the Rideau affords fin^p^turaTe and "grea^ fS Z
for either cheese or butter-making Mr Mvff'a nn« r^tll° great tmlities
formerly a partner, but has n^wlr s^me^eS rrkfd^tCZ^t;'' '^'
own'muf ^ m^i:? makes cheese for anyLighbours who like to^deter thdr
own niUk. His factory cost the modest sum of about $450 " exclu^ivp nf bia V^^
haulmgmilk. 2nd. I pt In one exlr» m«, ot S in th, «.k 3ri r nSij""' '"", '"
on .weet whev , th.y Jo well on it without any other food fih Si L„. if ■* "' »»,1™»
~°feTe^fcJ„"rirffwriii"iSF^
III
896
ONTARIO AORICULTURAL COMMISSION.
more equally distributerl amonf? the people, and therefore do more good. The flrnt year that
I ran this small cheese factory I paid thoHe who patronized nje 2 oenta per 10 poun<l8 of milk
mure than other neighbouring fautorieu did. The next year one-half cent mure ; thitt seaMon
I am able to pay one cent more. My cows have paid me while I waH making ohe -ne on an
average $38. Before commencing cheese and after stopping, 88. Total, $iO. This has been
a favourable season for oheeae-niakers, and prices have been good."
Mr. Myers is a very intelligent man ; he understands oheose-makinf;, no doubt,
thoroughly ; he throws his whole he-'^-t into the business, and he succeods in serving
himself and in helping others. at, while small factories nuy be a necessity in
thinly-populated districts, they will hardly bo substituted for larger ones whore the
circumstances for the latter are favourable ; for all experience goes to show that it
is only by combination, and that on a large scale, the best results can ordinarily
be securod, and the general standard of quality maintained. Mr. Myers makes a
little more cheese to a given quantity of milk than Mr. Macpherson professes to
obtain. He says : —
" I averaged this year one pound of cheese for every 9^ poimds of milk. This is something
better than many others do. T attribute my success in this department to clt-anlinesi,
economy, prudence, and care in saving the milk, allowing none to go to waste, even the
smallest particle, and in handling the curd, not touching it until it was in proper or ler, and
then in not handling it so roughly as to divide it into too small particles, so that it might run
off in the whey."
Perhaps some other persons following Mr. Myers' system may be instructed by
knowing precisely what his process of manufacturing is. He says on this point : —
"This is my mode of doing business : After the milk is weighed it is run into the vats,
then cooled to about 7i» degrees to take out the animal heat, then heated to 80 degrees. Then
fmt in the rennet, leave it till it coaijulates, which usually takes about fifteen minutes. Then
at it stand for about one and a-half hours. Wiien it breaks off clean it is ready to cut. Then
cut with a curd knife. After cutting it, let it stand until the whey rises. Then cut a second
time, then it is ready for cooking. Cook to about 98 degrees ; then let it stand until we can
see what is called 'messengers;' then run off the whey. The curd then all settles down.
Then cut with a common knife into chunks ; the whey then all runs off. Then let it stand
until the proper change takes place— the time often varies.
"This is the particular timn that judgment and attention are required in the chepsemaker.
A neglect of a few minutes will make bad cheese. When testing it to know when it is ready
to grind, by putting the curd to a hot iron and pulling it off again, it is consideied good when
it will string out into very long Hue threads of a silky nature. Then grind tine with a curd
mill ; then it is ready for salting. Salt with good salt, with from 2^ pounds to 3 pounds to
the 1,000 pounds of milk. Salt evonly and put into hoops. Press well until the whey is all out.
Put on the shelves and turn regu' *rly, and keep the room if possible at an even temperature
until it is properly seasoned."
The other witness whose statement was taken by Mr. Byrne is Mr. John Gile,
already alluded to in a previous chapter, as having once kept a fiock of Merinos,
and still believing they might be successfully bred in Canada. Since he disposed
of his sheep, Mr. Gile has gone into dairying. He owns ninety-fi'-e cows, and
expects to milk one hundred next summer. His farm is an extensive one, 750
acres, with 600 acres cleared and under cultivation. He makes both butter and
cheese for himself and patrons, charging for making cheese 1^ cents per pound
when the milk is delivered, that amount including the boxing of the cheese ; but it
is hardly a remunerative compensation. In chees" making, Mr. Gile finds IdO
pounds of milk make 10 pounds oi " full cream cheese." This he sold Lvat year for
1\\ cents per pound, leaving the farmers a net sum of one dollar per 100 pounds of
milk.
CHEESE AND BUTTER COMBINED.
The practice of making butter and cheese together finds favour wHh Mr. Gile in
point of profit, although it is doubtful whether the reputation of Canada as a cheese-
making country would be strengthened by any large exportations of skimmed milk
choese. However, here are Mr. Gilo's figures : —
"The 100 pounds of milk made into butter and cheese make 3 lbs. of btitter and 7 lbs. of
skim cheese. The butter was sold for 2'> cents per lb., or 7') cents ; the cheese at xh cents ;
total 134j cents, from which we must deduct 3i cents per lb. for making butter, which leaves
DAIRYING— B UTTER.
BSft
lounTylnfi %l^ •'" \^\T "(.*''" ?'^"'^«"?d "V"**™ of butter and ch^e««. on every 100
we think r ttle T« Lr T';:*> *'tf b««" ''""« 'hi" « »«"". Our experience haa »«,en nhorZ hut
we tnink a little better can he done when we K«t more conversant with the business The
li'ooO ""**'"* *'^'"'"' '*°'"'^ ^"''' * *''"'«''•' '"»'' butter-makintf e»tabli8h.nentw^" about
The method of making the skimmed milk cheese is thus described by Mr. Gile :—
rflnn'lT'li^nt V''""i'i"' *"*^ •^H''" ""''l? *" P"* '"*" '*>« ^»t» »"'' Seated to SO degrees, then the
«7^... L 'Tn ";. »""w.nK It to Htand .«) minutes. The cur<l is then cut with a curd knife and
threadH Lelv with*., h Vl ^'" 'n^l'''"'"' J'! ''^*"'' ^"'' ^^^ *"'' '" ^""n- ""'' ""»'• ^^ Aakes or
abo?t S Ih^of ^n !l 1 * ""n\ ^u^ ?"n^ '?.*'••'" »■■"""'' ^'*'' «* ^"'•'1 ">'». ""IteJ evenly with
we: Sthew'Cv^ thel.OOolb. of milk; then put into the hoopn and pressed
we aS n the sirL ■ "n x.^ *'!?"'^'"''' f"*'!,"''' '^« »'"^ "" ^'^^ '^"""•" »'"> t"P "^ cheese as
weather LdwlS, lit ^r.';' ^^'^ *" '"'■'■•' "? t"*'"''^« "'»» *«•« »^'«» troublesome in hot
weacner, auu which prevent the proper curing of cheese."
cheb.se as an artiule of diet.
Mr. Gile's method of making butter may be noticed pro«pnt!y. Meantime as
everyone shoud do his duty in encouraging so noble a Canadian industry r the
manufacture of cheese, it may not be out of place here to quote Professor Bell's
views upon cheese as an article of diet. I'rofessor Bell says :—
i^iven^iS^nVn^ '^^"y ?^?*^"' ^ '^'■""^^•^ *,fl'''"^« "^ ^'heese as an article of diet. A
given quantity of cheese contams more actual food than any other article of diet we are
ol5"or"i'ron"/.h' J* ".^'* ^^'1 '* ^''' j"^' ^T'^ ''P'^"«'^' ""^ ^' '« "»* desirable rusTvery
old or stroncr cheese otherwise than as a condi.nent. I think Canadian c-heese is senerallv
siiperior to English in its digestibility and it. nutritious qualities. All cheese shoill be usS
with a large proportion <.f farinaceous food." "-"coso s.iouiu oe usea
The Commissioners can hardly conclude their observations on cheese more
to ea7more che'es"' °" strength of the Professor's opinion, advising everybody
BUTTER.
It would be extremely gratifying to the Commissioners to be able to speak with
the same assurance of the butter-making branch of dairying in Ontario, as of the
fft7QUf?^flL^^?^r,I"*""^f *"[*?' /^*^""-^' ^'^^ ^" exportation in the vear
1879-80 of 18,887,703 lbs., of which 18,535,302 lbs., valued at $3,058,069,
was the produce of Canada, it is evident that the foreign butter trade of Ontario is
not to be despi-jdd or its expansion and increase doubted. And, from the evidence
before the Commissioners they have no hesitation in saying that, inferior as some
of the butter sent from this Province is, a very higii class article is no longer un-
known, and that only an intelligent determination to consult their own interests as
well as the wants of the market, on the part of our dairy farmers, is needed to make
Ontario as hne a butter-producing country as any in the world. As, however, it is
always wise to face the difficult and disagreeable at the outset, the indictment for-
mulated against Canadian butter by several of the witnesses will be first noticed :
DEFECTS OF CANADIAN BUTTER.
r>- J" ^»s report on experience gained durin? a trip to England last summer. Mr.
-Kichard Cxibson, one of the Commissioners, states as follows :—
"Along with Mr. Dyke, Dominion Agent. Liverpool, I called upon some of the largest
American produce importers. We were kindly received, and every opportunity was afforded
us of examining and testing the different brands of cheese and butter. anoraea
• A t ^^8^ ™*H«» o^ b.itter are from the Western States ; a splendid consignment had just
r7Zl. t'f}}'X' "^^ «\*n"n«^ several kegs and found them uniform in quality, taste, and
colour; m fact, as the merchant observed : 'One is a sample of the lot-I can send the whole
2e atwrs'alfn^T^" *'' ""^ customers with perfect confidence, wit'^out opening a keg ; they
"Upon asking" to see some Canadian, several kegs were opened, but not one was uniform,
exceptl am sorry to say it, uniformly bad -soft, bad-flavoured, and of diff«.«..t r-nlnnra
• Upon asking the question—' What is our remedy ? ' * Your only remedy is to establish
.11
hm
328
ONTARIO AORICOLTURAL COMMISSION.
creamerlei ; formerly butter from thle very dUtrlot,' pointina to the lot from Illinois, ' wm no
lietter than your^— now It i* the ftneHt brand Imported into Llvori»ol--l)etter than we can get
from frtilaiid. m .. i n
" ' AKiilti, vou miint use fine EnKlish silt— your American an<l Cana<han will not <lo If you
wish a slice of this trade ; and thure is another thinjf I want to <»ll your attention to, and that
" ' Look at those, all nicely planed inside as well aa out, so that when a Weg is Inverted on
the marble slab generally used here, the buttar coiner out nice and in one piece. Yours are
rough inside and the butter is broiten ; all these little things add to the market value ; you
murtt please the eye. », . • . j '»!.•
'"Now look at that consignment forwarded by one of your Montreal steamers, ana this
one by a N«v/ York line. That looks as if it had been stored In the shin's coal bunkers ; this,
aa if the Steamship Company were alive to their interests. We scarcely ever get a dirty keg
by the one line, and as selilorii a clean one by the other. Now, the difference of appearance
even in the kegs makes a difference of cents a pound.
" ' Again, when your i)eo[)le have really agood article, whetherof cheese, butter, or anples,
etc tell them to get a nice attractive stencil plate and don't be afraid to let the world know
where such an article was produced. Little mean plates with 'Ont.' in one corner— do you
think people over here know what that means? Now if you would put 'Canada' on in large
letters, tliey would understand somethmg about where it was produced.'"
That tho speaker in this ciwe was not merely endeavouring to discourage a
Canadian trade is clour from tho very practical suggestions made as to improvements.
His remarks as to Canadian salt will be fully noticed elsewhere. Meantime, no one
need attempt to deny that a good deal of butter has been shipped to England
worthy of all the disparaging observations, as to want of uniformity in colour and
quality, rough kegs, careless shipping, and the little word, " Ont.," which, possibly
from a patriotic desire not to prejudice either Province or Dominion by fathering
upon it an inferior article, some worthy shippers of the same may have intentionally
substituted for the bolder designation.
The next witness to be put on the stand is Mr. Andrew Broder, M.P.P., of West
Winchester, Dundas, one of tho largest buyers and shippers of butter in Ontario.
Mr. Broder says : —
" Another great trouble with Canadian butter is that it lacks uniformity. The people of
England are very particular as to the appearance of the article, ami even the appearance of
the package has a great deal to do with its sale— far more than it would have with us. We
find, in collecting a shipment, that we have large and small packages, some clean, others
seamed and discoloured, and when we get l,0UO packages with such a varietv of appearances
they make a very unseemly lot of stuff. The proportion of tini butter is really limited.'
"The Irish butter trade is not in so unsatisfactory a state. They can pack in a more
inferior package th m we can, and it comes out better. The Dutch and Danish butter is
known on the market by the appearance of its packages.
" If we were to adopt a particular form of package, and it became known as Canadian
butter, I think it would have a decidedly favourable effect. I have had letters from my agents
in England particularly requesting me to send a special form of package.
"It would be a great improvement to the tratle if our store-keepers would stop trading
in butter and allow it to be sold altogether for cash. Fifteen years ago we had just as poor
butter ill our section as anywhere, and the trade was canied on a great deal as it is now in the
west, but buyers came and bought according to quality, and the result was a great improve-
ment in the quality. ^. , . -^v. -^
: "When 1 am paying for batter I always tell the people when anything is wrong with it,
and 1 thuik buyers are very much to blame themselves for the bad quality of butter. The
store-keepers dare not tell the farmers' wives about the quality of their butter, but I find that
people are anxious enough to find out the proper way of treating it."
It will be seen that Mr. Broder, with honourable frankness, tells the same story
as the merchant quoted by Mr. Gibson.
Mr. John Inglis, now of Chicago, but formerly of Teeswater (Bruce), and the
originator of a creamery there, says in his evidence : —
" We did not think we could realize the price we afterwards did get for our butter, because
twentv-rtve cents a pound was looked upon at that time as an extreme price. I was then keep-
ing store. I had been in the habit of buying butter largely, but mv experience of buying and
selling butter before starting the creamery was not satisfactory. When we bought butter, it
generally came in from the farmers, over-salted, anrl of poor flavour ; and when we took it
we hail to select it according to colour as best we could ; and the business was generally
atfiiflwd with loss. esDeciallv to the country merchant. Country merchants are in the habit
DA IR YINO-B UTTER.
of cultlvatjnK a trade with f»rniarB. and they are wllUntf t<» pay a premium on their butter for
L .fri^" " ^ i"r"*^ '^TI V'^'u- '!"'; "^ '**" •'"""** ^ **• P'»'-«'""'"« ''Utter from the farmer.,
iiN price varied from 12 J to 18 oentM." •
Mr. Inglis lot in a little additioiml light, too, on the osutot of Canadian butter
bomg too often of a very inferior quality. Ho n&yit ; —
"There are very few farmers' wiveH who ever think of uhIiik a thermometer with tha
cinirn. Sometimes the butter will churn ii> ten minuteH, and aometimeit it will Cake five or
SIX houM. Another reason why dairy butter is poor and of uneven (luality ii that fanners'
wives take the milk and skim it a'ld put the cream in a crock ; the next ni«ht they do the
same, and continue doiuH; so until they have Hutflcieiit for a churniuK. The conseqUeuce ii
that the creaiii has not the name consiHteiicy ; some of it is acid and some is sweet ; it has not
all ripenml. It is placed all to«etiier in the churn, without any regard to the temperature,
an.l sometimes it comes out white, curdy or Btringy, and they are never sure what they are
niakin«. -ream requires to be ripened. The uneven (luality of our butter arises from ivrno-
ranee of the process of making butter, and the want of attention to details ; and Canadian
butter IS Kenerally too much salted for the English taste. Butter with half-an-ounce of pure
pulverized salt to the |)ound suits the English m.irket best. That is half the quanlity the
United St. tes dairymen use. But we beat the American butter in the English market the
yeiir l)efore last. At hrst we salted it with an ounce to the pound, and could not get the price.
Ihe next season we salted with half-an-ounce, and it was much finer and brought a better
Mr. Edward Cash, of Seaforth, a very exporionced dealer in butter, points to
similar drawbacks in his evidence. He says : —
" My experience as to the general character of the butter products in this district leads
me to think that one fruitful source of poor butter is owing to many parties iittemi)ting to
make butter from too few cows, keeping the cre.im too long, and having too many churnings
in one prtckage of butter. Butter made in the hot SMion is generally poor. Dairies of eight
or ten cows, and churnin? every twenty-four hours,, dther things being equal, the butter will
be equal to creamery. Of late there h w been a decided improvement in the quality of our
butter, owing to the better education of the people in the.^e matters."
Mr. Robert Meighan, a large buyer at Perth (Lanark), says :—
u J' I,^^l\eve one reason of inferiority is, the farmer here has not been taught to improve his
butter by the merchants, who were reluctant to tell hiin his butter was inferi-.r. We examine
It carefully when it comes in and appraise it accordinglv. There has been a decided improve-
ment lately in the butter of the section. I thi-ik the low prices of late year«, and public atten-
tion l>eing call.'d to the subject by the press, has led to improvement. We get our best butter
from the high lands.
"Careless making is the chief cause of complaint. The buttermilk is not taken out, too
much salt is used, and the colour is not regular in the same package. There are no creameries
in the neighbourhood.
The last-mentioned witness, it will bo observed, is from a very favourable dis-
trict. The condition of the butter made in Western Ontario is, it may be amcluded
from the evidence, worse than in the eastern sections. Mr. Broder says on this
point : —
" From our own (eastern) section we have two brands ; and from this (Toronto) I have
sometimes found it necessary to make four. . . .
" There is a difference of about 4 cents a pound between Morrisburg butter and VVestem
(anada butter-that is, on the round lot. I have sold ours at 123 shillings at the same time
that I was selling butter shipped from Toronto at OS. The butter at 98 was graded A, B
an I L. We i;et on an average about S cents a pound more for creamery butter than farml
made butter."
In the counties Mr. Broder refers to as the eastern section, butter dairying has
been to so large an extent tlie dependence of the farmers that thev have almost of
necessity adopted the counsels of Mr. Broder and others, and, aided by consider-
able natural advantages for that business, have made bnttcr that raii^rs fairly well
m the British market. In the western counties, dairying, v. h at-growing, stock-
raising, and factory cheese-mak ng have received the fiist' attention from the agri-
culturist, and the butter-dairy has been a little thrown into tl r shade. Of Cana-
dian butters, that from the Eastern Townships ranks Highest, closely followed by
Morrisburg, and that again by what is known as the Brockville brand, the places
mentioned representing protiy large districts, of which they are the centres. The
330
ONTARIO AORICULTUBAL COMMISSION.
Brockville brand has long been famous for quality. Mr. Meighan, of Perth, which
comes within the general term of the Brockville district, says : —
" Butter varifiB much in quality. We can sell all the good butter, but the poor quality is
» drawback. About two-thirds would be our best shipping brand ; the rest would be seconds
"Our best brand is well known, and stands well in the English market. We can place it
by cable on its own reputation. It brings the highest price of Canadian brands excepting the
Eastern Townships and Morrisburg. Broci'ville brand has fetched lately 115 sniHings per
cwt. Our best brands are not so even in quality as the Townships, or even the Morrisburg.
"I believe the quality of the Eastern Townships butter is decidedly ahead of our be«t. I
obtained some butter from special dairies from this neighbourhood and pat it on the market
in England on its own merits. It brought an exceptionally high price, and buyers wanted
ir ore of the same mark. ^ -^r -r, ^t. r^ ^ • /^ j.
"We brand our best butter, 'Choice Dairy Butter, A. M., Perth, Ontario, Canada.'
'A. M.' has been our old mark."
The firm of which Mr. Meighan is a member were receiving butter from farmers
when the Commissioners visited Perth and inspected their establishment. Every
tub was opened, carefully tested by an expert, graded, and price paid according to
quality. By this method, and a firm resolution to overlook no defects, the reputa-
tion of the brand is sustained, and butter from this house can, as in Mr. Bruder's
case, be sold by cable at any time. To assail the character of a farmer's wife's
butter requires, no doubt, great moral courage, but it is none the less certain that
want of care or intelligence in the dairy is the primary cause of so much Canadian
butter being of indifferent quality. That this is the case is plain enough from the
evidence already quoted. The question presents itself, How is it that, in some
countries, where butter is made in £»rm dairies and the creamery is still unknown,
the butter is so excellent and in others so variable ] A lecture delivered some time
since in Dublin by Canon Bagot, and reported in the Irish Farmer of June 17th,
1880, throws much light on this point, and shows that in Ireland, a country whose
butter is supposed to rank very high indeed, some of the same difficulties are met
with that are experienced here, while in Denmark and Sweden the highest quality
is secured. Canon Bagot gives the listeners to his discourse just about the same
advice as to butter-dairy cows that Mr. Malcolm gives to the owners of cheese-
dairy cattle. He said : —
" He wished to point out to them that it was not the cow which produced the milk— it
was the food which she got produced it. The cow was exactly like a steam-engine. If he got
corn to thresh with a machine, he could not do so without water and coal, bat when he was
supplied with these he could go to work. The ct)w was a regular machine for providing milk,
and it is of the food which you give her that the milk is produced. You may have a bi.d
steam-engine as well as a good steam-engine— one which would require a gre.it deal more coal
than the other ; and so it is with the cow, some of them will take a great deal more food to
produce milk than others."
He went on to suggest the use of the Shorthorn to secure the dairyman against
loss in the event of his having to dispose of his cows, and mentions as, iu his
opinion, the best breed, a cross between the Shorthorn and the Dutch or Holstein
breed. - As to winter feed, he mentioned that in Denmark, the source of the best
butter, the great aim of the dairymen was to supply butter to the London market
in winter, when butter is dearest, and they can get one sh Uing and eightpence
(40 cents) a pound for it. To accomplish this they feed their cows liberally in the
winter months on clover hay, bruised cake, and rape cake, the high prices obtained
for the butter making such feeding profitable.
Then, as to dairy management, the Canon went on to say : —
" As regarded churning, there were two crying faults among the small farmers. Being
in connection with a butter company, a great deal of it passed through his hands to the Lon-
don market. The faults were, keeping the cream too long without churning, which gives an
unpleasant ' lack ' to the butter, and over-churning. With regard to letting the cream rest
too long, it would be far better to make better quality by churning two or three times a week
i, .. "! ji i.-i !.»,„ »!,....» urr.1,1/1 V.O fnll u.nii ina.k(> inforiop nualitv. The cream, when left
to rest too long, actually becomes decomposed like bad meat, and gives a nasty taste to the
butter "The other fault was over-chumiiig. He knew that it would be the mo8^ difficult
thing in the world to get the dairymaids out of that practice. The very moment the butter
DAIRYING^BUTTER
331
)rth, which
or quality is
d be seconds
can place it
xcepting the
jhillings per
Morrisburg.
our beHt. I
\ the market
yers wanted
io, Canada,'
om farmers
nt. Every
ccording to
the rei)uta-
X. Brurler's
tier's wife's
;ertain that
1 Canadian
;h from the
it, in some
L unknown,
. some time
June 17th,
mtry whose
ies are met
lest quality
it the same
. of cheese-
the milk— it
le. If he got
when he was
>viding milk,
y have a bi.d
eal more coal
more food to
nan against
i as, in his
or Holstein
of the best
don market
eightpence
rally in the
ies obtained
mers. Being
i to the Lon-
hich gives an
le cream rest
times a week
in. when left
y taste to the
mo8^ difficult
nt the butter
ifil!"?®'''"***]!"!®*^*".^'''*®"''''*-'^''*** dairymaid would call cracked to-thev «1,™,M
stop ch.irnmg that very instant. If they do not, tl.ey ar« actually SS thTbutter thlv
or Jm^ anhT".'''" **® T1^ "" ^ '^7' "^■^^7 ^'» not chum anything but perfectly sweet
2^rhh!T*'''*'^i'*yfr?\^"'«*"'"P""''^*'-'« being the means of enabling them toobufn
Then the Caiion mentioned the tact alluded to by Mr. Inelis. that venr fa»
w7hTJ heTn"" """•'"°r'»"' '."i""™"" ">» temperature ol he eriln! and
" They might ask him what w is the thermometer for. Well it was not doar if «,»« ,,r,i„
mission to buy a thermometer, as his servant told the farmers round alwut of it.''
CLEANLINESS AND HONESTY.
The worthy Canon also exhorted his hearers to honesty as well as cleanliness
and other virtues. Canadian bufctor-makers need not despair if one fact 2e meT
WshtwP'S'^^^ ^ T'^^T^ TT'-"' P™«^'°«« ^th the Irish product He saSi
they should all try and make the best article and get the best prices for it He
also spolve of the injury caused to the mile of butter by putting tJo much water in
It and referred to a case which came under his observation Se a firkin of IriS
butter sent to the L.na.,n market, weighing tJ9 pounds, contained miL water
He thought one of the great faults in the Cork butter market w>« that thefr titers
S'r wt'Sier "'*" '" *^'"^ '" '^^ ^'"^ ''^' *« *^°- out of v;hich the
EDUCATION OF DAIRYMAIDS.
AT S^^ '^'i*® "^ interesting was the lecturer's reference to experiences he gained in
Northern Europe during a visit to that region. H. had called attention tf he fS
higher prices obtained for Danish than for Irish butter, the former commanding al
much as 23 per cent, more money in the London market than the latter He then
redisTcUirir^HTsa^T-" " '^^ ^^^''"'^""^ ^^ ^'*^^"«^ ^^ *h« I>--h -«!
ai,t.v.ucu lu i.F vcurs. x ne enecc 01 this education is beginning to tell • th
m price, and, by c^.inpetition, it is over the Cork butter 2id. per pound H« mio-hf fK.,r
fore, argue from that, that their success was owing a goodXairt^edLtSn o? tfeir ^ry.
"in Sweden the da'rymaids w*e sent to a college to be educated in dairy mana-emenfe
for SIX months At the expiration of that time they got certificates wWchfuTvQuSd
«iem to act as dairymvids and they were snatched up by gentlemen whTl^ld Se^da Ss
These women holding certificates were entited to teach other dairymaids and fi».fh«lf^'
struction they rec.-ived fees, which ,^mnn»tM f. a fi~f--~": -.i,-.?"^'.^'*"'*. ^•" *'^** .'"-
course, nnder-»cr,ifie I te,^her, these wo^nenraft^^
theinjlvHs qua ified t . teach The result of this teaching w^ that, in those countHes they
mad^heir butter of one uniform quality. Their instructions were defined L to the quS
ill
II
't:
I
332
ONTARIO AaRICULTUBAL COMMISSION.
of the salt and colouring to be med in th« butter, and the food to be i?iven to cattle. In that
way the quality of their butter was uniform, and that was wh»t was beating Irish butter out
of the London market."
Finally he drew juat such a picture of the contrast between Irish and Panish
butter as the merchant visited by Mr. Gibson drew of the difference between Cana-
dian and his Western State consignm -nts. All this shows that, in the best butter-
producing countries of Europe, care, skill, and attention; to every detail tending to
ensure the j)roduction of a perfect articl • are at the bottom of their success. And
It is this wliich, in a measure, although not in thn same degree, has given Eastern
Townships butter its very high place in the Canadian export trade.
CBEAMKRIE3.
But, while a very great deal may hd done by the private dairy farmers to im-
prove Canadian butter, it is to the creamery we must look for the grand improve-
ment in butter that was, not so lon^ since, effected in cheese. It would hardly be
to Mr. Broder's personal interest to favour a change from private dairying to the
creamery system, but he says : —
_ " [ should prefer th<»t butter in our section shonH be maie in creameries, so far as trade
M generally affected. It would be more beneficial to the country."
Mr. Meighan, too, admits creamery butter brings a higher price by 3 or 4 cents
over the finest dairy butter.
Mr. Inglis, who started the Teeswater factory, thus details his experience :—
"The production from the creamery at Teeswat-r was not large the first year. We got
the promise of 180 cows, but, after we got started, they dwindled down to l.'O, s.. that we did
not pay the expenses in the first year. In the second y^ar we got ud to 180 or 200 cows ; in
the third year we advanced to '280 cows, and after that we got up to over 7 cows. The
number always increased up to the time of my leaving, and that creamery is still being car-
ried on. Last season it was very unsuccessful, owing to the low price of butter. We have
obtained for our butter from 90 to 120 shillings per 112 pounds and in the second year after
we started the creamery we sold our butter at the creamery for 25 cents a pound, while the
other butter was selling at 17 cents.
" We had an agent in England I believe we commanded the full value of the butter
there, especially as there was some difficulty in ^^ersua ling the people th^it Canada could pro-
duce good butter. In 1878 we got 102 shillings, while Danish was selling at 116, an<l Irish at
from 104 to 106. In the second shipment we exceeded the Irish butter by two shillings, and
came withm four shillings of the Danish. Our agent was at Leith, Scotland, and we were
very fortunate in securing him. He came to our factorv and examined it— he h:id seen the
IJanish and other butters— and he acknowledgerl then that our butter was equal to anvthing
he had seen in his life. I gave him ten tu'^s at 25 cents, and the next fall he came back and
♦ook It all at 25 cents. He had been buying butter and losing heavily, and he wrote to us
saying that ours was the only butter that he did not lose money on. That butter, I think, is
superior to the first-class butter in England."
When the Commissioners visited Teeswater and examined Mr. Hettle, the
present manager of the creamery, he was holding his season's produce against an
offer of 24 cents a pound, expecting to realize a higher figure. Both Mr. Hettle
and Mr. Inglis fix eight cents as the value in the market of creamery butter over
the dairy butter of the district, the ordinary western farm dairy article. Mr. Inglis
points out the enormous advantages of the creamery system to the farmer in the
matter of profit alone. He says : —
o nr^ ^" *^® township of Cnlross I don't think there would be any difficulty in obtaining
2,000 cows ; and the difference in the profits between making their own butter aud making it
by the creamery system would be at least $15,000. 2,000 cows will produce, we uill say
8,100,0 X) pounds of milk. Dividini? that by 25, we find the number of poiintls of butter pro-
duced, .324,0110, which, at 14 cents a pound, would yield tt5,SoO. Butter mvle in the f wtory
wwild easily bring 20 cents a p.nind, or for the same quantity $)4,800. That would be a
difference of $19,440 in the township, and that is <mlv allowing: H cents of a difference in the
once ; and assuming that the same quantity of milk would be necess.'vrv in both cases 20
^ents 18 a low average of the price of butter made in the factorv, and 14 cents is a hi^rh average
of the prince of butter collected from the farmers. Many of the farmers who were slow to go
into tnis lactory at first have since said that they made money out of it."
DAIRYING— ORE A MERIES.
333
Par as trade
the mouths of May and Lne and 6 <^nt« for TnW .''^T- ^" P*? J *=«»''* P««- gallon for
of the Heason. We run from ab It tte iVh Vf ^l^f m A nfl!"*,lr»°'* l*'«"** '«•• »h« balance
skim cheese makin- in 18 .8? PreviouSlv i?S. A^' *'\*' ^"''^ November. We started the
hogs. We have found our present ȣ ZrJTt^^^^ * ""'i and fed the skim milk to the
From 35 lbs. of milk we averlte 1 1^ .?f ^"»f economical and profitable in ordinary seasons,
weighs 10 lbs. The frr^ew Xril V al t.^in^^f ^t ^^"^ 9* "^eese. The gallon of milk
up to 22,0.0 lb,, of muTp^rS'ft^hrhei^hi .ff ^h?"'**''* °' **•" "y"*?"" ^'»«ty«w we ran
IWmers are feeding the^cS bettor and^loin^^^^^^ nearly 1,00.. cows,
advised the use of oil-cake iwTfeel but not wHh'*,.m h "" ^^"^'^ /or dairying. I have
the reports of the Dairyrn^i's Convention hiS n T V*^*-"' /circulated a number of
farmers. Some four or.heXtter fSies hav« b««n }Skv\ '? ^l^T^^'y »a8t. among the
place, probably as the result of!^ur experiment'' ^^^''^^'^^^'^ withm twenty miles of thi.
^lrX^iZ:t^\St '^ 't^^l^:^^: of JeC loners' visit, had
25,00) pounds of milk would brr^i .irad L.t^t Ci^h ;^ i ""/ke a thousand poundfs of butter,
be necess..ry to draw this milk to^ihrf^ctorv Af fhH ^f '^*^' and twelve waggons would
vats that would h-.ld aT,uTSa gallons V^u ,^oaKh^^^^^^^ ^*. necessary to have
cool, and allow it to stand f. r ab it 16* h .nr« Twii ^ '•' !" '^^'® "^^^^ ^^^ n^^^^. let it
costing «8,i each.asit woul, Lnecesitr^toL ^.^'^^'^ "^^ ^f.'l"*'«d.
what wa« received before was c.Xtrihen vorildXt^ ^ It^'''^w\?•''^ !?*^
through a 1 this extra labour wherllL. .mrW ^K^ f t. *!® *** *'*"" ^'^ '^'^ "lilk, and go
receive the cream huhefi/youloiS need ^v"^^^^^^ ^"" would have simply L
in, you turn it into butter ^ ^'^ *"^ '^**''' *"** «" «"«° «« the cream come.
up the centre is four inches in diameter, and comes within thr«« JnM^^' tJt c ''"»'»n8
quantity of cream in it ^he creinrfhen Lhll^r^^^^ «de of the can shows the
paid format so much pe?inch.'LrXg^l\^!rrW^^^^^^^^ "^ '''' '^'=*°''^' -'^-^ '» »
The great advantages of this system are :—
.ixth. ^°''""™^ ''^ »ianagemeat-the bulk to be handled being diminished to one-
q«aUt/Sf tSSell"'"'""^*"' '^'" ^^"^*«-«-. -d consequent uniformity of
ties%j!e'r/wS,t '"""^ ""' ^^""*^"= ^™^" 'l"^^*^*^-' -«*-d oi large quanti-
4. The less liability of cream to suffer hv \,ai,^^ t^,.*- ; x:__ ^u. ,.
5. The savxug of the skimmed milk forlheTa^iiirof'^igr'or young sS
6. The smaller cost of factory and appliances. ^ ^
The system is rapidly becoming popular in the States, particularly in Iowa and
.al
334
ONTARIO AGBWULTUBAL COMMISSION.
Illinois, and, it may safely be predicted, will become universal. It appears to be
ndmirably adapted tp thosa .districts wlieto roads are rough, population suinewliat
sparse, and communication more or less difficult.
BCONOMY OF CBEAMJBRY BUTTER-MAKINO.
What the creamery system, if adopted in Canada, might do for the country,
may be estimated by a comparison of the prices obtained for the butter at present
exported with those obtainable by creamery brands. The declared value of the
, butter, the produce of Canada, exported in 1870-80, was |3,058,U()9, making the
average value per pound 16^ cents, which is probably a tolerably correct approxi-
mation to the actual prices received. Now, it may safely be cor.cluded that, if that
butter had been represented by the same qun tity of creamery brands, it would
have brought, even at the depressed rate of pri(jes, at least 22 to 24 tents per pound.
If an increased value of 6 cents only had been obtained, it would h.wo put just
$1,112,121 into the Canadian farmers' pockets. But ihat would represent only
partially the actual. gain secured. The economy of tlie manufacture by the factory
method — the production of a larger quantity of butter from a given quantity of milk
— would be in itSieif an enormous profit, and the increased demand for the best
instead of the inferior article would soon double or treble the yalue, to Canada, of
the export butter trade, ..j^
A few suggestions made by the witnesses as to the operations o^ a factory may
be useful. As to the selection of suitable sites for creameries, Mr. Inglis says : —
"In selecting diBtticts for the establishment ȣ creameries, I would be guided to a large
extent by the nature c£ the streams. Water gives both body and flavour to butter, and good
bubter cannot be obtained if the cows are allowed to drink out of slugi^ish streams. In order
to get good butter, we must have frenh running water for the cattle to drink, and that is the
kind of water to be had in Huron and Bruce— remarkably fine water.
" Good well-water is good for butter-making. Still, the cows would not do so well on it
as where they have free access to a running creek. They will not produce the same quantity
of milk ; we find proof of that on farms fed with water from pumps. This has reference to
ordinary cows."
Mr. Inglis fully corroborates what has been said elsewhere in connection with
feeding cattle. As to the necessity for a more scientific method of cultivating
pastures, he says : —
" I should like further to remark that it is the food which sustains thdNsnw that also pro-
duces the mill* and the milk, to a great extent, retains the odours of the food. Hence the
necessity of studying the pastures. The farmers should study more fully the subject of pas-
turage, also the nature of grasses ; and seed down more heavily with all the long grasses, that
will grow, as some mature faster than others, and, as one fades away, another will take its
place. Hay is generalljr out too ripe, as after it is dried it becomes woody, aud there is very
llt'le nutriment left in it. If cut green and well saved, the difference in its milk-giving pro-
perties is enormous. Butter made from ripe hay is always white, and lacks the rich aroma
that makes it a luxury."
He adds on the last point ; —
"Butter can be produced with a good colour in the winter season if farmers will feed
their cattle on hay which has been cut five or six days before being ripe. The natural juices
of the hay are better retained in the green state, I suppose, than in the ripened state. I
would not recommend feeding turnips or potatoes to milking cows whose milk is used for
butter-making. I think milking should be done with the teats dry. Tin pails are much
superior to wooden pails for milking. "
Mr. Inglis does not recommend imparting any other than a natural colour to
butter. He says : —
" I do not recommend colouring butter, unless it is made of hay ; I never coloured a pound
of butter, and do not believe in it."
TEMPERATURK OF MILK.
The question of the temperature of the milk is thus alluded to : —
"The cream rises with the change of temperature. If the milk gets chilled, as it is apt to
in the fall of the year and winter, the cream will not rise, and it will become bitter. I would
raoommend heating the milk to about one hundred aud twenty degrees. The cream rises be-
DAIR YINO—CMEAMERIEa.
335
|i
'M
cause it has a less apeoiflc pravity than the milk ; and you can make it rise in two ways : you
can, by using ice, reduce the temperature to about forty-five degrees, the cold will act more
on tiie milk than on the fatty matters, and the consequence is th.it the milk goes down and
thf cream comes up ; or you can heat the milk up to one hundred and twenty degrees, and
although the heat actsinore quickly on the watery portion of the milk than on the fatty por-
tion, us soon as the cooling process commences, the watery part of the milk loses the heat
more quickly and falls to the bottom, while the cream rises to the top. I think that is the
only remedy to prevent the bitterness of the cream in winter. The heating of the milk expels
the animal odours from it.' I would heat it as soon as it comes in."
MANAaEMENT OF MILK AND CHUKNINO.
The processes of skimming and churning are also referred to by Mr Inglis.
He says :--
"The real standard test for the proper time of skimming milk is to take the finger and
bring it across the cream. If, in doing so, the cream lies apart and you can see the milk, it
is time to skim.
"The churn is of great importance, and there is a great deal of milk spoiled in the churn-
ing. The great bulk of the butter made in this country is whipped to death in the churn.
For farmers, the dash churn is the best. The dash should be concave in the bottom, so that
it makes a vacuum when the dash comes down, thus striking the milk more by concussion.
There should be no holes in the dash, as they tear through the milk and break the grain. The
barrel churn, with a stationary dash, is the best for general purposes. The Blanchard is also
a very good churn.
' Patent churns, which work by friction, bring the butter rapidly, but it spoils the quality
by whipping the cream. I have not seen the pendulum chum The whole difference between
a good and a bad churn is in getting the milk by concussion instead of friction. A chum
suspended by the two opposite corners ought to be a good one.
" If the cream is allowed to stand too long before chuining, it becomes very thick. There
is a certain amount of curd forms in churning, which can bt detected in little white specks all
through the butter, and there is no means of removing it. These specks are formed by the
milk souring, and the cream getting too thick. It could be remedied slightly by putting a
little milk in the cream and thinning it. 1 have tried both sweet and sour cream, and am
confident that you can make the sweetest butter from sweet cream. Sweet-cream butter, I
think, will keep as well with the ordinary quantity of salt as dairy butter. But that is a
point very much in dispute.
" I fail to see why butter which is churned from sweet cream should not keep. To show
the advantages of what I call ripening the cream, I have taken cream that was slightly acid,
and after churning, took one hundred and twenty-three pounds of butter out of the chum ; I
then told the person who was churning to continue churning, and I took thirteen pounds out
an hour afterwards. From the first cream that rises in about twelve hours I would make the
best butter, almost gilt-edged. I account for that by the fact that the larger globules rise
first, and the greatest aroma is in them."
The proper manipulation of the butter is, in Mr. Inglis' opinion, hardly second
in importance to the treatment of the milk or cream. He says : —
" I would not work butter more than once, and not that if possible. In churning, as soon
-as the butter granules form, I would advise drawing off a slight portion of the buttermilk from
the bottom of the churn, and then adding a few pails of cold water, and after a few more re-
volutions of the churn, the butter will all be formed into complete granules. I would then
remove it, wash it, put it on the board, and give it a slight touch, so that if there is any
buttermilk on it, it will come off. Then mix in half an ounce of salt per pound ; lay it aside
for twelve hours, then take it, and work it, and put it into the tub. Over-working the
butter injures the grain and makes it greasy, so that the taste is gone."
A CKEAM SEPABATOB.
In this connection, a new invention used in Sweden, and referred to by Canon
Bagot, in the course of his address already quoted, may be mentioned. He says: —
"There was one instrument which he thought would cause an entire change in the dairies
of that country, and that was De Laval's separator. He saw one in Sweden dealing effectually
with the milk of 4,000 cows. The milk was delivered by rail and passed into the machine,
which was managed by six persons. As fast as the milk passed into the machine the cream
came out one spout and the milk from another. The chums were always working, and within
four hours after the milk left the cow's udder it was on its way to London in butter. It was
a machine which, when it came into general use, would almost entirely dispense with the use
of d liries. The Roman Catholic Bishop had got this separator, which is worked by a two-
horse engine, and in a report which he made he spoke in the highest terms of it. That was
'1 ( .'
336
ONTARIO AGBICULTVBA.L COMMISSION.
ttie only one m Ireland, with the exception of the one the associated dairies of Dungarvan had
Ihere were peat doubts as to whether the cream was entirely separated from tlie milk by
this process, because, when the milk was tasted after the separator, it was very good. The
milk was submitted to an analyst for investigation, and he found that milk skimmed from
cream in the ».rdinary manner contained fully .SJ per cent, of buttet-fat, whereas skimmed
milk obtained through the separator only cout^iiued i per cent. "
Two of these separators were exhibited at the International Dairy Fair, at Now
York, in 1879, and one or two are in use in the States. How far they may be
adapted for general use the Commissioners have no means of knowing.
PACKING BUTTER.
But the best of butter may be disgraced, no matter how carefully it is manufac-
tured, by slovenly packing. The evils of the ordinary country storekeeper's trade
in butter have been already mentioned. They are at the bottom of the mischief in
a very large proportion of cases. But the dairy packing is often not all it ought to
be. What Mr. Broder says as to the use of inferior packages has already been
quoted. He goes on to suggest a remedy : —
I'l •'^^I'r^L*'',^® ^°^ P*'"* *° ^*^® *'^® people pack their butter in uniform packages, all
smalL We had been using in that section of country a firkin holding about 110 lbs., but it
was not satisfactory in Enwland, because the grocers could not find customers who would take
the whole package, and it was very inconvenient to handle on the counter. If they had a tub
holding 50 or 60 pounds, they could turn it up ' - ♦he counter, lift it off, and the butter would
be clean. It h.w never occurred to me to supply my customers with tubs, though I have done
so occasionally early in the spring."
Mr. Meighan buys in 50-lb., 80-lb., and 100-lb packages, but prefers the 50-lb.
tub as the one suiting the Glasgow and some other old country markets. The 56-lb.
tub (the English half hundred weight), is now in use at the Tees water creamery.
Care, too, in packing is especially enjoined. Mr. Broder says on this point : —
' ' People do not pay suflBcient attention ta preparing their packages for packing butter. A
great many of our farmers will take a package to the pump and fill it full of water, and set it
m the sun, so that it is soaked in the inside and scorched on the outside. The result is that
they are twiste I into all shapes, and unfitted for holding brine, and they also become dis-
coloured. Too much cannot be said about exercising care with packages. I do not believe in
soaking them much in water.
" They should be scalded out thoroughly with warm water and then rimed with spring water
to cool them. Adding a little brine is no injury, and perhaps mav be a benefit, as a little salt
in the water seems to take the taste of the wood away. There is nothing that cleanses them
better than buttermilk, but we dare not recommend it, because some of the people would not
thoroughly cleanse them afterwards. The tubs should be about 56 pounds. "
Apropos of packages, it may here be mentioned, that a very large trade in butter
in metal packages, hermetically sealed, is done by Sweden with the West Indies.
Mr. Inglis says respecting this trade : —
" The best butter which is made in Sweden, and exported to the West Indies, sells for 60
cents, and it is put in tin packages. In the United States they generally sack the butter tubs
before shi|)piiig ; it not only keeps the butter cool, but when it arrives the packages are clean
and more attractive."
A handsome, japanned tin package, with air-tight lid. was also exhibited to the
Commissioners when in session, by Mr. Joseph Blakeley, of Toronto, and favour-
ably regarded by Mr. Inglis, if it, or one on the same principle, could be supplied
at a moderate cost. Mr. Inglis' views, generally, on butter-packing, are expressed
as follows : —
"When making butter I would recommend excluding the air, if possible. I think the
56-lb. tub is the best. If you have a smaller tub you are apt to have a higher tare, which is a
considerable item. If you have a 25-lb. tub you will pay 20 cents for it at least, and you will
have 6 lbs. of tare ; whereas, if you have a 5<)-lb. tub you will have to pay only :i3 cents for it,
and the tare will be only 8 lbs. , although you have double the quantity of butter. The Dutch
jjutter is generally sent in about 100-lb. firkins. I think the butter would be more exposed
\n 9S-lh. tlihfi fVian in nfi.IK *nKo TKn fi.lio fU..* «»•»£. Jnf's **-ii m,i.,.~- ■, ,l-„i -I-- -II f
and sizes, from a 5-lb. one up to 70 or 80 lbs. ; the consequence is that uny tub that run.s from
6 lbs. up to 35 or 40 generally sells at IJ cent a lb. less than a tub weighing 50 or 56 lbs."
DAIRYINO— SMALL CREAMERIES.
337
Mr. Broder remarks on this point : —
■e« If fhTtllnM ^".^ *'*i'"' */""*''^ ?^ putting their tub<. in coar8e sack., and wrote over to
;^'4j»b^-t,se^;en.::''"°*'^"' '"' "*".*°'^ ^' ''"'^^^ '° ""^'^ 8-^ °-<l'«"» *»>'»» **
"It is a very unwise tiling to have many names on the tuba, and the name of the cooner
SSnf '""■'''''^♦r "'ri ^" England the people get it i^to their head-that arTthe
ffi but ZwZh^Tf''* *^^ ^P'" ^^"^ T^" '^« '.^""«'- We plane everything off 6ur
«nr!le "n • '^'^'K'''-^ If «"!; butter was good average butter i^ would be well to have the
.fm,'-*""""'"" "' <^«*''*<'* P"nted on the packages!
b«tt«r ih.'if^^^fK Vk"? ^^""^ °"f butter found its way across the line and they put our bad
nntnL /f ^fr^** •**'*' u ««'" and called it all Canadian, and they took our good butter and.
puttmgit with theirs, branded it American." b "« uuwwr nuu,
On the whole, a 50-Ib. package neatly made, tasteful in appearance, ai^d with a
clear, intelligible distinctive brand, that all the world may identify it, is probably
tne best for ordinary purposes. * » r *
USB OF SALT.
The too lavish use of salt is also to be guarded against. At the Teeswater
factory, Mr Hettle says :-'• About three-fourths of an ounce of salt is used for
every pound of butter stored for future shipment, but not over half an ounce when
the butter IS shipped every month. . . . We brine the butter frequently, and
keep it moist when in store. i / »
Mr. Stedman, of Drummond (Lanark), uses about one ounce to a pound— a little
more or less m warm or cold weather.
Mr. Inglis says regarding salting the butter : —
« JiiP^i^'Vf Irl'"* "?f. ?"•* °'l'*°® ^i Hitfgins" salt to one pound of butter, but it is too much,
,«rfhfp?^' •^""*u*'^i^V".'^-'*°^^^*]"""^ """« P*"- 1'^ lbs. in the English market, t
•f 1 atteS " ' ""^ contident is equal to any English salt in the manufacture '
.•„,.K"J°fi,''^f '"*^ ^j"®*" ^jx.^P**^''?^^® ^'"" .shipment, I would put in the butter within half an
??LVv tI!^; '^nd ^""Id hll up the remaming npace with salt, wetting it sufficiently to make
™i^H; 1 ^''kes a solid, farm keg, and excludes the air, and the salt that is in the butter
makes its own brme. I do not think it advisable to put brine in the keg. "
CARE IN SHIPMENT.
Care in shipment, ai.d the securing of a cool and cleanly part of the ship for the
storage of butter, is a matter to be arranged between the shippers and the steam-
ship companies. It is probable that those who ship good butter will think it worth
while to pay special attention to this particular, and that where this has not been
hiTVods** "^'"^' *** *^^^ shipper having little respect for or expectation from
SMALL CREAMERIES.
As it is desired in this Report to notice every phase of the dairying interest, it
may not bo out of place, before bringing this chapter to a close, to refer to the
small pcatable creameries m use in some places. One of these is mentioned by Mr
Joseph Yuiil, m his evidence, given at Almonte. He says :—
" We have a small private creamery and make our own butter, . . , Some of the
stock are young, but 2J0 lbs of butter would be a fair season's averag; t^ a cow.
«# «„«;.'"■ '='"«a"'.«''y'« calculated for 15 cows. It is kuown as Evans' creamery, and'consists
and?n two ^l^';^^ J}7 "'^ *''""' *^? f««V^'^'^' "^ ««^«" "^ ^'^^t inclils in diamete?
!^„i fifT^ ' connected by a narrow neck with a stopper. The low»-r portion will hold
?^ .'/ *f^"ra|!*'*': *""• ***? ".PP«'' five quarts. The cream is suffered to fill the upper part of
iemoveT ^^^' " '°''''''^' *"•* ^^"^ "^^'^ ^"'^ "^ '^^ ''^''^^ °*, then be^eLily
.rJ^'^h^ ""'" ''^^'J^u *'■* immersed in cold spring or iced water for twelve hours until 'the
cream ha. risen. The cream is then put into another vessel to ripen for about thirty-six
hours, and then churned by a dog-power in an old-fashioned churn." '
At Mr. Gile'a establishment, mentioned already in connection with cheese, but
where he also makes butter, the plan "■ rsued is, as described by Mr. Gile. aa
follows : — ' / °>
fR
!ti i.. 'B
ij^
338
ONTARIO AOBICULTOBAL COMMISSION.
" Our syBtem is : Firat set the inilk in tin pftils, which hold about 35 pounds, in a water
pcol. This pool is constructed of two-inch pine plank, water-tight, G x 22 feet, '2 f>!et high,
with a lid on hinges to shut down when r<?quirerl. Into this a stream of cohl water is pumped,
and in hot weather ice is put in to niake it cooler. The water oomeei up to al)out six inches
of the top of the pail. The pail is about eight hiches in diameter, and twenty inches deep.
It takes from 24 to H6 hours for the c>eam to rise.
"Then the cream is skimmed and churned in an upright churn. The churn is capable of
churning 50 pounds of butter, and three of them are working at one tim-', with one shaft
stroke, 18 inches to each churn. The motive power is steam. The cream is heated to (32°
before churning ; it takes about 40 minutes to perform the work. These churns being open at
the top, the maker can easily tell when tlie butter is coming. Before it begins to gather we
put in some cold water. This gathers and hardens the butter. We partially coloured the
butter this season by putting a little annato into the cream before churning.
" The^utter is then taken nut of the churn and put into the worker and washed. Ice is
then put on to cool it before salting. It is then left for Mireo or four hours, then salted with
one ounce of salt to the pound of butter. The salt used is 'Higgins' Brand.' Then it is
packed into 50-lb. tubs, a cloth put on the top, and neatly cove ed with salt. Butter thus
made has commanded the highest price in the market this season."
The ConimissionerB find, in these minor enterprises ; in the active efforts of such
men as they have had before them, engaged in the butter trade, to impress the
necessity for improvement on the minds of the dairy-farming community ; and,
finally, in the anticipated establishment of creameries in every butter-making dis-
trict, the promise of a greatly-enlianced foreign demand for Canadian butter, of a
lucrative trade in that product, and of large and ever-increasing benefits therefrom
to the agriculture of the Province.
CHAPTER X.
HOESE BEEEDING.
In that portion of their inquiry to which they have now to refer, the Commis-
sioners will endeavour to keep in view the double object under which the question
of Horse-breeding presents itself to the Canadian farmer. He hac to ask himself —
first, v>.., ^ is the description of horse needed for his own ordinary purposes ; and,
secondly, what class of horses will find the best market and command the best
prices if he raises a surplus stock.
That Ontario is peculiarly well adapted for raising good horses of every descrip-
tion is a fact that no one will dispute. The climate is bracing and invigorating, the
soil produces in unlimited quantities the food that gives stamina and vigour to the
constitution of the horse, the hand and eye of the owner himself are almost always
upon the young animal in its early life. Mr. Wiser remarks on this point : —
"In regard to producing mature, average-priced horses, I think our soil and climate excel.
Our seasons in Ontarip are just what is required to mature and educate a good roadster.
After weaning, the first winter of his coltage brings him all the time for his feed and care in
contact with man, his future master. These surroundingH tend to his docility and tameness.
The next six months of summer give him the very best grazing and pasture, with a temperale
atmosphere and plenty of palatable unstenched water for drink. Alterrating between his
freedom in summ|r and his contact with his keeper in winter, the first three years of his life,
if g«itly handled, make him docile, tractable, and free from vice. Our winter seasons of
snow and ice make it a pleasure to break him to harness and labour, and giv*- him his first
lessons with but little fatigue and exertion to himself. My life-long experience has been
that horses matured and brought up as is our custom in Ontario, make more docile, less
vicious, hardier, tougher, more endurable, and more valuable animals than those reared in a
couthem climate."
Then comes the question, Have we in Canada the material out of which good
horses can be got for the varied purposes of the road, the farm, the hunting-field,
HOUSE BREEDING— FOREIGN DEMAND. 339
or the race-courae ? This will be best answered by reference to the evidence itself.
Ihat evidence shows, not only that there are a very large number of imported
horses in Canada used in the improvement of the stock, but that there are Canadian
families of horses of distinguished merit also available for this purpose. It shows,
too, that if there is at the present time a dearth of good marketable horses in
Canada, it is largely due to the fact that the United States—a twenty per cent,
duty notwithstanding— afford an unlimited market for every good horse the
Ontario farmer cares to sell, and for some not very good ones besides.
FOREIGN DEMAND,
Mr. George Tumlin, an extensive horse doaler of Toronto, speakine on this
point, says : — ' r o
" ^y busineas is to buy draught and general purpose horses— mostly the former. For the
class of horses m which I deal the Americau market stands higher than others. The Amer-
lean draught horses grow too rapidly on the prairies, and, feeding on corn, are too soft ; while
.T?rJ.""'* " "**."®* '^'■"^ F'^'^ slowly, and are better footed and better limbed.
*- X Americans tr.ed to do the breeding tl»em*elves ; they brought those soft animals
from the prairies, but they Could not got along at all; they found they had to go back to the
Z, ti^I^.T'-y^^" ^^"^ ""J ***^ ''*"/•■ *'■« better, -they are strong boned, ancf they do their
work better ; besides, a great many of the western horses die the first year they are brought
to the east ; they do not become acclimatized so easily as ours."
Mr. Wiser's evidence on this point is as follows :—
f«- 11 r"^"^- ™^'®^^ f 4 *^L. *''°?'* ^ ™*"y drau,'ht horses as I dp if we had them suitable
!^LiIlf ".^ •?^" ,'n*':'^«t. lor the general run of our horses the United States is the best
market, and it takes from us the class of horses that woulJ not be suitable for the English
priceslhant thtun'ited'suff '"""^ "'"'' "" "«" '" ^"^'•^"^' ''"^ -* '^' "-'^ »>•«»'«
; ' There is a demand i.i the United States for all that we can raise, and more. The coun-
try is full of buyers who are not able to get such horses as they want. If we had the right
kind of roadsters, we could sell all we could produce.
treai'for th^a^^mwket''" ^° '" ^^^ American market. Canadians sell a large number in Men-
Mr. George Houghton, of Seaforth, an old and experienced dealer, says :—
" Canadian horses are preferred in New York and Boston to horses from the Western
States, and command fro^n «io to .$> » a hea 1 more. For ordinary horses I h we bseu paying
from $90 to $100, and for good (Jlyda horses from $12) to $20>). I consider Clyde horses
more profitable for farmers to raise than any others, as they are able to work when they are
two years or two and a half year., old. The re won C.inadian horses are preferred to Western
American horses is that they are not fed so high and will wear better. Western horses are
fattened on corn like so many pigs, and it injures them. Canadian horses will thrive. whUe
western horues go backward." '
Here, then, is clear and positive proof in the most tangible form of the estima-
tion in which a Canadian-bred horse is held, and the reasons for hia reputation.
THE HORSES OF THE PKOVINCE.
The nej point, to consider is the supply of horses of a stamp for providing the
best and most useful or marketable article. To obtain at a glance the position of
the business of horse-breeding in Ontario, the Commissioners invited the atten-
dance of Mr. W. H. Williams, a gentleman well known as the sporting editor of
the Toronto Globe, whose duties necessarily bring him into communication with all
the principal breeders in the Province.
From his statement it is evident that neither of thoroughbreds for stud pur-
poses, nor of Clydesdales— either imported or Canadian bred— is there any lack
He calls attention to the fact that, in Mr. Wiser's establishment, at Presoott,
are the headquarters of the great Hambletonian trotting family, of which more
will be said presently, with a stud representative of the Royal Geor<re strain,
while Royal Georges and Clear Grits are doing excellent service in Western On-
tario. Then, too, the St. Lawrences, Pilots, Tippoos, Pacers and others are all
round scattered up and down in districts where some one or more raembers of one
or other family have happened to be stationed at a more or less remote period.
So that in all the Province are the descendants of thoroughbred or pure-bred
i r ■
ri
I
m
ONTARIO AORIOULTURAL COMMISSION.
•tm rota ming not a little of their ancestral typo It is from maret carefullv 3
OuUrio ^ ^ ^'^ "nproveme.it and development of hor.e-b?eoding in
SBLBCTION FOR BRKBDIMO.
At tho commencoment of the chapter on General Farming, the Commi»«ioner«
endeavoured in as few words as possible, to explain the princinir m. wS
breedinK, to be successful, must be conducted l^w if in tS« o«.^ f • i
that is. bred merely for slaughtering, it be'necesS'^"to'f.^So^rS^
18 It to do so m the case of a creature of roquiremonts so virin.! a. fJ.n-{
demanded froui the horse -form, action, speed. eXauce inteUigTnceT J fit
be needful to keep the precise object it is'^desired t.> attain welfn view when
breed.ngaBteer or heife. for the shambles, how all-important Ts a c"ear disTinct
and well-defined purpose, when the desire is to producVa fiit clLw spein o
a far nobler animal? But while, by the aid partly of favourabfe^rcSmstonces
Ontario farmers have bred a great ...any good hoLs of Zfr SnTrd^hl
as already see... they can do well by their horses, so far as they go i? is none the
less rue that in a great many cases, the adve.It of a really good hone Ts more
a matter of chanco t^an- of calculation. The first thing to L^LcertSd bi the
farrner is, what blo..d the nriare he proposes to breed from has go^^^ he" If she is
bred from the Clyde, and is cold-blooded altogether, and is bL onouKh to be oro
porly bred to a Clyde horse, then her owner had better keep he^for Sin^ dmS
Korses of as heavy a type as she will give. But if. on the other hind i"f has fnv
ttioroughbred running blood, then, with tho equally well-bred Sbleonian the
^jral George, or the Clear Grit, she will have nJe or less affinTy. andTa^^^^^
usea to raise colts of a superior class, which will be likely to possess many if the
chanvcteristics of the sire. This of course, presupposes tlL theTarerfrL fr „n
taint, blemish, or other practical objection to her use in the premises To en.D ov
for breeding a mare that is likely to transmit defects inherited or otherwise lcau?id
IS not to be counterbalanced by the quality of the horse she may be covered by '
That none but a pure-bred horse of any family should be eiuoloved for breadincr
purp(«,es IS a maxim it should nC. he neceasary to repeat ^'"^'^'y^'* '"'^ breeding
There are, however, plenty c* gratle stallions showy enough at first sieht
traveling the country, who.e service can be obtained for a veTsmall fee while
a really pure-bred horse must, of necessity, be made to pay his^^er by eami,t
and'ZZtat'iSt^rf"' """^ ^'---«. l^'it^be saidT^st 5iS ^
anu emphaticAily, that the farmer who allows his mare to be wrved by any but a
pure-cred stallion of proved and undoubted pedigree is as foolish as one who
or ^ nfr/; '"'^ P'? '" •'^*"'^ ""'"''^ *h« pea-bug, on the chance of getting one thTrd
or one-half a crop of an inferior article, instead of a full crop of the best. If S
Z/"i ^^\r^^r^ '^'^ this point, anybody is co.itent w?th the sVrv oes of thl
most elegantly got up mongrel, he will deserve to be a loser by his folly.
THE GBNERAL-PUBPOSB HORSE.
For his own use, the farmer may be assumed to want what is termed a " general-
purpose noises E,ro mongiel Uiyuwdalea as a rule, and 1 ->-^-i- l.:: -^— -.— - "" »?"'•-':
horses we have."
think they are the worst olasa of
9ar, distinct
HOUSE BREEDING-GENERAL PURPOSE noRSE. 341
the result ; but thrHinaTjnom^^^^^^^^ '"'u""'' *?"""' "^ ^*»« Olycla strain is
adapted fn'r fann wc/ k ZZS VZfTd^^^^^^^^^ "f- "> '"'«' "''"f''^ «* ^""«
" geneml-purp.,8e " is.as the witness m.o «V r,^^ l*""'^ ""*"'"« '""■•«• '^'*^« ««'-m
goes on t«>8ay :- '^""^'^'^ remark., a misnomer. Mr. Williams
■<» "■•ciiinn.ven incHiciiiiihi." iniun
■way— to those threat hia C!lv<lPHHiil«a t* ;■ *v.~" Tj ""•-jv.ncu nmreH— mares ({ood in their
nourUhment tor eithe^^theCul or the colt iftlt itTCll?" "Vf.""" ""* ''^''rdh.g nuffiJien
loosely made horse." " "*'*' '* " '"'*'«<^. and the result is a thin, flabby,
reai?JVTeSpl"^^^^^^^^^^^ J^ysTr ^«' "^'^^^ «' ^-^^^ - order to obtain a
be a^L'ir;o7::i' th^fn^a'::;:, Ke7SetttfeK".fr If -r r^" '^. ''"^'- -« -"<'
« ^.8 were wood. They would not only L for farm woU h.^f".! "'■'^'? ,'"''"' *» •"'" '^ the
ready market at good p.iceH. It would not rlnfLi: "' '^'^^ '^""'•' ^'^'^V'' oiiimand a
with the Clyde, as the Clyde is t.^heavv foi r.S T^ " ^^'P^T *" °''"«« tLorouKhhredj
about aa fast as you should drive cTyc&s but f vou^wTnt f^*""'.' "!?, "'""l**" ^"" ^
the mill, or to town, you reauire a h.l^rse "hat wo ?ld h/X» .? ^^'^ *"?*"y *" ''■*>"''°h. or to
an h..ur. For Huch a horse I woiilrl hrfll. \,n I- ^°^^ *? P" *t least ten or twelve miles
"a bi« bay horse, «ixteenTanl h gh S^n ^^^5^-"^ ""t^.'' '^'''''^'^ «»
symmetrical all over, elegant and Ss'h and w^l, ' ."^*V r'^^.P^^"*^ "^ *»"»«»
a mile in three and 'a halfor JourTinute " For r*""'' ^'.^"'"^ «*^* «q"*' *°
ordinary Ontario farmer a horse 8uLXtS!,},f„;*i, the every-day purpose of the
be the kind most deHrable '^'"*'^^** ^'^^'hter than the one just described would
^ MARKBT FOB PRAUOHT H0B.SB8
citiM, weight, ,ize, and b™" „S ™Jd „° "' 'j'T' '■!; ''""'k'" I"""™ '" ">«
B.tim_.>re(Xorthuml.rland,;;irL^^^^^^^^
delp.lir'/orSr^t/L^^ -d they are sent to New York and Phila-
of the year, an.{ if the horses are to LeTad they are «^ntt?.^^* ground for them at ajl season,
into conditK n-that is, hornet th,*t arein low cond?M"n ' he rennsylvania farmers to bring
would adv,se the farmers in this countA' to Z-cure the^i'/rti*"!. ^™«"«''n« pu.chase. f
as heavy horses will, I ihink. always be in Jn?^ 1^ a S'^^*?^*^« '"a'-ea to breed from
won d cost about «loO, and it Sd be wo?tK fhaT^^'^i ^V.^" * <=«'* "P t" three yeaw
of Ciydes, I mean horse« got byrpur^(^7de\tsetT/Z.Jr Z^^J^^' ^'^^^ ' '^^
ClyS'e'sdatXs^-'' '' ''"''""'''" ^''"^^^'">' *""*h«^ ^^-^e^ from pure-bred
Mr. Wiser s-ivs : —
"There are not enough draught horses in Canada to supply the American demand."
'. !
m
JM
i
m
1
li:-i:
1
^il;
1
^ki
842
OUTARIO AQMCULTUHAL COMMISSION.
He goes on to say ; —
" 01y<l<«H(li»leH are, I think, altoKether the Iwiit Htraln to xine upon our native marei to
Impnivft our (lr!i\i;,'ht horae*. I dhoul I certainly »ticlt very olo^nly to them for that purpuse.
Of thin stock I would stronijly advisa the utt of imported or thoroui^hbred itiree."
Mr. Pattoson remnrka : —
"The best horwe for actual draught that we have, in umiueiitionahly the Clyde, an nearly
pure an can be got. IJy (Iriiu<ht hornei I uiidcrsnnnl you n» -an Huch uh are Hultable for rail-
way lorries, brewers' and diatillern' wa^tfons and drayH, or titted for taking about machines."
Mr. O. A. Hou'^hton, of Seaforth, who also loo'cs at tho subject from a buyer's
point of view, with the supply of th« American in ir'tot as his ol)joct, 8;iys : —
" Canadian horses are preferre*l in New York and Boston to horses from the Western
States, and command from )J25 to fM) a head more. For ordinary horses I h ive been paying
from 9.) I to $10 », and for good Clyde hordes from fl'JS to 9Mit. I cousidtir Clyde horses more
prohtiible for farmers to raise than any others, as they are able to work when they are two
years or two years and a half old. The reason Caniwli in hor8>«s are pref«rrod to western
American horses is that they are not fori up so hi<h and will wear bett«r. Western horses are
fattened on corn like as many pigs, and it injures thein. Canadian horses will thrive, while
western horses go backwards.''
In this connection, however, there is one matter worthy, perhaps, of considera-
tion by the farmers in Ontario. Mr. Tumlin (iescribing tho nature of his trade with
the States says : —
" I am now buying horses three, four, and five years old. They are sent to difI«rentcoun.
ties of Pennsylvania among the farmers, each farmer tikiri'^ so many to fend at so much a day.
They fee<l them thiry or forty days p.nd then they go to New VTork. I don't know any reason
why we should not keep the pmfit of feedin'.j them among our own fitrmer'4, but what I have
stated is the pnictioe. These norses are for far u and truck use. The farmers of Pennsylvania
will feed them forty days at 30 cents a day, besides keeping everything on the farm. Including
the duty, commission, and other expen.<es, it costs about SLU a heal to take the horses to
Pennsylvania. I pay for theue horses from $l>0 Ut f2.'5, the avenige would be about 8175.
These horses mu^t bo sold in New York for about JioO or $W'), by tiie Pennsylviknia feeders.
They feed them much heavier there thtn we do here— they will feed them up from 1,330 to 1,500
lbs."
He say* further on : —
" If the farmers here were to fit up their horses on their own farmi. insteafl of our having
to send them to the United States farmers for that purpose, we could afford to p ly them what
we now pay to Americans ; we could perhaps pay $iO or $i'> raor-'. Tliese men who feed them
up on the other side feed them pretty much on soft feed and corn, oati, bran, etc. They have
no peas or barley. The bran is more U!<ied as a lax itive than anythin.; else. Oats are about the
best food for theui. The gain in grinuing the oats is that the horses are able to feed faster. The
horses are kept indoors all the tima, except when they go out forjxercise. Sometime-i the
horses are work*»d all the time they are there. There is one man who n *b over 5(H) horses feeding
for thes-i New York men. Thef e horses are used for truck work of various kinds. The lager beer
business gives a great demand for our hornes, owing to its having grown to such dimensions.
The proprietors of the breweries will have only the very best horses and harness, aud the horses
are nearly all Canadian. I would prefer seeing the feeding done by our Canadian farmers than
by others."
Mr. Houghton's business appears to be very similar to Mr. Tumlin's, and he
also menti<mj the intervention of the worthy Dutch uon between the Ontario fanner
and the New York or Boston final purchaser. Why the Ontario farmer should
dispose of his horses in poor condition, when he could make, in a very short time,
a considerably enhanced price, by feeding them up to the point at which they would
bring the maximum figure in tho American cities, is not very intelligible.
While it is thus clear that the Clydesdale is fullilling a very useful purpose in
relation to the fordign demand, it will be mxde e |ually plain that the American
markets, :ia well as the actual requirements of both our own urban and rural demands,
are by no means satisfied by the raising of heavy draught horses. The roadster,
the carriage or " park " horse, and the hunter or saddle horse, are all wanted if they
are only of the right stamp and quality, and will generally bring higher prices than .
horses of a heavier class. It imy be well, however, hwre to exiinine the materials
to haud £of tho productiuii of the ufticle tho murkct iii these respects requires.
nORSB BREEDING— DBA UOBT IfORSES.
MS
ative mare* to
' that purpuM.
lyde, M nearly
iltable for rail,
lit luachiiieH."
tm a buyer's
lya :—
I the Wentern
^e I men paying;
le hi>r«eK more
1 they are two
ofl to western
tern ho rues are
1 thrive, whiie
of considera-
lia trudu with
diff t>rent conn-
lo inncli a day.
ow any reaaon
b what I have
Pennsylvania
m. Including
the horses to
e about 8175.
v.tnia feedePH.
k 1,330 to 1,500
of our having
ly them what
vho feed them
!. They have
I are about the
I i raster. The
lonietime'i the
horses feeding
The lager beer
h ditneniiions.
vid the horses
t farmers than
in's, and he
tario farmer
mer should
short time,
I they would
e.
1 purpose in
e American
til demands,
he roadster,
mted if they
prices than .
\ie materials
qiiiruB.
CLYDESDALE HORSE.
1
1
IP
1
1
J
344
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
THE THOROUGHBRED.
With regard to the " thorouglibrei," Dr. McMonagle says : —
"The history of English thoroim'hbreds might well be touched upon here. Englind paid
but little attention to the peiliK'rees or l.ieed of horsfts until probably 180 years ago. The
introduction of three horses into En'^'land— the Byerly Turk, the liirley, and Godolphin
Arabian —which were crosse I and rt-crossed on about twenty native mares, produceil the grand
thoroughbred, the pride of the British. The contests of this production iu running races
eliminated the weakest and resulted in the survival of the strongest."
And then, after alluding to the institution of the English Stud Book, he goes on
to say : —
" For accuracy and completeness the English Stud Book is the most remarkable compila-
tion extant. The first volume is the basis on which the whole series rests, and from 1705 to
the present time the only additi .n to the English Stud Book has been one horse. The com-
mingling of this blood at that time, for racing purposes, produced the English thoroughbred."
The breeding of thoroughbreds is not carried on to any large extent in Ontario,
partly for reasons to which Mr. Patteson refers : —
*' I should like it to be known that there are no more thoroughbred mares in this country
now than there were twenty odd years ago. I suppose I have imported more thoroiighbred
mares than any other man now in this country, and I have fouml it nece.ssary to sell nearly
every one outside of it to tiie United States. I have sent two bred here to Scotland. The
reason for this is, that there is little enconr.igeiiient to breed such horses here. Few men of
leisure ride, and the thoroughbred is not meant for harness.
" Breeding thorouirhbreds can only be made to pay by competition for prizes on the turf,
and the turf has become so demoral ai^d in Canada that unless the old adage holds good,
' wh.?n things are at the worst they mend,' it may as well be abolished as pcil-selling h is been.
There is no market for thoroughbreds in Canada.
" We have never produced a ract'-horse in Canaila that has been at all first-class. One
mare, indeed, we have in Toronto at present—La'ly D'Arcy— who has taken second-class
honours on the American turf, but there are no others worth mentioning. I am speaking of
race-horses, not trotters.
" It is my opinion that without horse-racing, we shall never improve the breed of horses
in Canada, and since the p-yssmg ..f tlie present Pool liill, tlie pursuits of the turf have come
almost to a stand-still. Without wagering you cannot get together a crowd of people to see a
race, without gate money from the crowd you cannot pay the stakes, and without the stakes you
will not get the breeding."
The fact is, that, in Ontario, the use of the thoroughbred is virtually limited to
his services to the breeder. When Mr. Patteson says " the thoroughbred is not
meant for harness," he rules the thoroughbred out of the reckoning for nearly every
economical purpose in such a country as tliis. It is true that, when at Ottawa, the
Commissioners saw,. in Sheritf Powell's stables, thoroughbreds, one, at least, of
which might constantly be seen in harness in the streets of the city, while the whole
group were as docile and approachable as greyhounds. But these are very rare
cases indeed. As b rule, too, the tendency has been, for reasons well-known to
sporting men, to breed the thoroughbreds tuojim, and all ideas of a horse's general
utility are dispelled at once by the sight of mo3t thoroughbred stallions. .
The value of the thoroughbred for breeding purposes will be noticed further on.
THE PACERS.
The evidence, however, shows very plainly, that, in Canada, there are to-day
the descendants of horses with distinct characteristics of older standing in the
history of British horseology than the Thoroughbred, and exercising a potent influ-
ence in the economy of horse breeding on this continent. Quoting from l)r.
McMonagle's testimony, he is found saying : —
" According to Wallace (an authority on sucti matters) Polvdore Virgil an Italian ecclesi-
astic, wrote a history of the British Isles in Latin, which was published about 1.509, and
among other thmgs, in describing the horses of th vt date, mentions ' a great company of
their horses do not trot, but amble and pace,' and he draws the distinction between pacers
and trotters with unmistakable precisiim in Rentences written 370 years ago. Another writer,
Samue^Purohas, in 1 2">, indirectly verities the historical conclusion that pacers were numer-
ous iTi jiingiand at tiiat dute. "
It was not until the last century that the Thoroughbred became a factor in
Rngl md p&\d
T8 ago. The
d Godolphin
ceil the grand
unning races
, he goes on
vhle compila-
from 1705 to
e. The com-
iiroughbred."
in Ontario,
this country
bh<)ro\ighbred
to sell nearly
otiaiid. The
Few men of
» on the turf,
! hi lids good,
ing h IS been.
t-c1as8. One
secund-class
I speaking of
■eed of horses
f{ have come
sople to see a
he stakes you
ii! ir
ii;- =.i
iilil
y limited to
bred is not
learly every
3ttawa, the
at leaflt, of
e the whole
3 very rare
1-known to
se's general
further on.
are to-day
ling in the
otent influ-
froin l)r.
idian pcclesi-
ut 1509, and
company of
weeu pacers
Dther writer,
were numer-
a factor in
^■^i.ie
>•««
I}}
I
K^
Mi
Mla^^^m
••ill:"""'-
i^'R^^Hfr:-^^^
v> y '•''/''
,1*^^,.//?^/.
i /' „V-i ' (Si
u-
Wl!"iiiit:,fmi„nn„,
/< /"•
^(/^
;/
iM^i^f//^ y?'
^.^¥M^V
CHESTNUT HILL. Record 2:22.
t •
...tMNi'f//. ^y ,,;:;^^////^x'r!f __^. ___
HILL. Record 2:22.
23
"BOSTON."
/
23
" LEAMINGTON."
ill
346
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
the improvement of the racing stock of England. Long before that happened,
therefore, the horses referred to were recognized in England as a distinct breed.
Although no record is forthcoming of the introduction of the pacer element into
America, it is certain, that, as long since as 1730, a race of horses which must have
been introduced into the American colonies bj the early settlers from the mother
country, became known as the Narragansett pacers. Dr. McMonaglo says : —
" The Narragansett pacers had a line of heredity that gave them certninty of speed and a
certainty of type as long ago as 1690. Their history in Virginia and Rh ido Island shows that
they were in-bred, and that they attained a rate of sp-^ed of lens than •i:'i\ to the mile. It is
known from the Rev. James McSparran, D.D., 'America Dissected,' published in Dublin in
1763, that they were introduced into all parts of Euo'lish America as lon^ago as 1730."
Dr. McMonagle goes on to say : —
"The combination of these with French stock imported from France to Quebec in 1665,
produced the Canadian pacers. Out of that combination we have the I'ilots, which were
taken to Kentucky, and proved to be the producers of some of the best trotting horses there.
From the same stock we have the Columbuses, which were taken to Vermont, where tiiey
produced trotters, of which the fastest went at 2:10|-a daughter of Phil Sheridan, the most
potent sire of the family. Copperbott<>m was taken from Canada to Kentucky, I think, in
1810. His blood permeates the veins of the famous ' Rosalind,' 2:21|. The Hiato/as belong
to the same family of Canadian pacers, with a representation of 2:23. It is said the Tippoos
»nd Warriors also embody the pacing element, but there is not a certainty they do so."
THE PILOT PACERS.
After discussing the pacing problem at some length, and showing that the trot-
ting and pacing movements are interchangeable. Dr. McMonagle gives a history of
the performances of members of thf pacing family: —
"In reference to Canadian pacers the facts are, old Pilot left Canada in a peddling cart
and was afterwards developed at both gaits, and showed a purchaser 2:26 with 165 lbs. on his
back. He founded a family, and out of the high-bred mare, Nancy Pope, produced Pilot
Junior, with his seven representatives in the 2:30 list, his gramison, Tattler, producing two
•tallions, Indianapolis and Voltaire, each with 2:21 to his credit."
Maud S. , who has made the fastest time on record, 2:10f, is the daughter of
Mi«s Russell, whose sire was Pilot Junior. Maud S. will be noticed in another
connection presently : —
Dr. McMonagle goes on to say : —
"Bonesetter, 2:19, belongs to the same family. Again, the original Copnerbottom was
taken from Canada as early as 1810 or 1812, and ' was the first horse of his tyt)e tak^u to the
blue grass region to improve the saddle gait.' Mr. Wallace says: — 'He left a race of very
valuable descendants, going all gaits.' Then again, a Canadian, Corbean, ^ red Corbean, that
produced the fast nacer, Billy Boyce, 2:14, that did his quarters in 3i seconds. Still again,
St. Clair, a pacer, 2:3.5, went from Canada, and through hia son Doc, produced the horse that
coat ex-Governor Stamford, of Califorrua, $5,0ii0 to purchase, Occident, 2:l()j, the sensational
trotter of 1873. The Yellow Jackets, that produced Thos. L. Young, 2:19, and Davy
Crocketts, that produced Red Cloud, 2:18, carried with them from Canada the pacing inherit-
ance."
THE COLUMBUS-PAOERS.
Among the list above mentioned are the Columbuses. Of that family the wit-
ness speaks of Phil Sheridan as " the most potent sire." Of this horse he says :—
"The Columbuses were essentially Canadian, their trotting prepotency greatly intensi-
fied through Black Maria, a daughter of Harris' Hambletonian, being a ilam of young Colutn-
bus, a stallion with six performers in the 2:30 list, and the 3ire of Phil Sheridan, 2:2;ii, with
three performers in the 2: iO li>t ; Phil himself, a legally naturalized Canadian, hi's dam
Black Fly, bred at Irish Creek, Ont., being a lineal descendant of id.l Tippo, (I'hil Sheri<lan,
the sire of Adelaide, 2:19J, has done stud service in Eastern Ontario, in connection with the
Rya.lyk Stock Farm, for the last three years, and must in the near future have ;t imrceptibly
beneficial efifect upon the trotting stock of that section.)"
THE BULLOCK HORSE AND HIS PROGENY.
The Doctor then goes on to describe another branch of the sjreat Canadian
pacing family. He says : —
" But unquestionably the most valuable of thin element that left Canadp, was the Bullock
horse, a descendant of the Moscow tribe, iridigeuous sixty miles below Montrfja], a horse that
HORSE BJiEEDINO—TRE PACERS.
847
A^eSn ij,T.^ ?[* ®- I ?«"««\P"'nt. tlience to Whitehall, where he sired North
H^rr?J h" n ^ trotting inheritance became greatly inten«fied through his dam being by
Harris Hanibletonian, a little gray mare, with an injured hip; and doubly intensified in the
?hT¥lf""l"*' ""' ''"'^&'«y -".T'^ ^r ^^"'^ ^«'««>^ * P^^*-- The fiulTockCe sired
the Ualton horse, a chestnut gel.luig that stood sixteen hands high, pin-hipped, and first
his 111 ""h*""^. fu-^ I" V'^l ^"-^^^ "^ Mr Kipp, who sold him to Mr. tillist.,,., viho nicked
Wft V-^'"''^ him to Jake Adams for $225, who in turn sold him to Andrew Dalton, who
trotted him in races. He was bred at St. Hyacinthe. and looked very much like old Moscow.
u XT .u »"" '9® ^^°^^ *° twenty, and was driven in a race by D. M. Jenkins in 2-36
firm ^"'■.*'' American was a dark brown horse, strong, 15:3 high, short back, standing erect,
nm, straight and with equal pressure on four heavy-boned limbs, and when at ease placed
proi)ortionatelv apart, with mathematical narallelogram precision, coarse head, long full tail,
SnPP,rA?nH ;K"?'r??^'^ muscled, v/itfi a sweeping, wide, open-gaited stride; when at
speed, a trotter that did his mile to waggon at Island Park in 2:38, and so t-nacious of his
gait as to suffer extreme flagellations without leaving his feet. Bay York, a daughter bred by
bam Brady, was sent to Kentucky, ami at Woo.lburn produced Bayard, 2:31i, at five years
tij ^ /" turn "red Emma B., 2:23. Whitehall, a son of North American, produced
S r l^'J^' ^^^'^^'o^*?,!'^ congress with Belle Brandon by Rysdyk's Hambletonian, pro-
duced Gov. Sprague, 2:20i, at five > ears old, the Centennial sensational trotter. A daughter
of Jsebastopol, son of North American produced Maggie Briggs, 2:27, at fiv^e years old.
America, by Whitehall, generated Nellie Holcomb, 2:28. Old Lady Rice, by Whitehall
begat Scott^s Thomas, 2:21, and Scotfs Chief. 2:23. Fanny Jacksoil^ out of B^y Condon
uniformly threw trotters to Daniel Lambert, of which the fastest is Ariatos, 2:27?. Ivanhoe
a/»a« Yankee, that won the twenty mue race against Empire State at Worcester! Mass.. waa
by North American. It is through Lady Waltermire, a trotting daughter of North American.
i aat thia Oauadian Bullock family has achieved such prominence and importance."
If
. ■
! ■ 4|
I
•• PHIL SHERIDAN."
348
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
Mr. AristideR Welch, of Chestnut Hill, near Philadelphia, a breeder of great
intelliKence and astutenesa, by uniUns? the Messenger element represented by
Rysdyk's Hambletonian, and the Lady Walterraire, above mentioned, produced the
horse which Dr. McMonagle speaks of as
stud service ui California at $3(10 each for the season ; the sire also of Santa Clans with the
best five-year-ol I record, 2.18, also standing for stud service in the State with a large patron-
age at !J500 each for his season's service."
For Strathmore the sum of $24,999 was once, it is understood, offered and re-
fused by his owner. Of Chestnut Hill, the son of Strathmore, the annexed plate
is an illustration.
THE ST. LAWRENCES.
Another branch of the pacing family has yet to bo noticed, the St, Lawrences.
Of St. Lawrence, the evidence reads : —
"The origin of this branch of pacing-trotting proclivity was bred near Montreal, talcn to
New York State in 1848 by W. Prendergrast and sold to Joseph Hall, of Rochester, in 185 < ;
was sold to Mr. January and taken to St. Louis, and there sto .d for $20'i the season, re-aold
for $3,5<K) ami taken back to New York State ; in 18.7 was taken to Michigan, and died at
Kalamazoo in 18.58. 'St. Lawrenc>> Vt-as one of the earliest and moat |)roniinent of the
Canadian breed brought over, ' says Wallace, 'winning very many hotly contested races, and
trotting well down in the thirties.' It cannot be said he founded a family, but he is ceitainlv
very nearly entitled to that distinction. He was a trotter himte.f, and left trotters b.liind
him.
''A noted instance of his ability to transmit his inheritance was through his son, Kin-
kead's St. Lawrence, whose daughter Fanny, from the result of a congress with Pilot Junior,
produced that famous brood mare at Wondburn Farm, Waterwitch, the dam of Mambrino
Gift, 2:20, and Scotland, 2:22^ ; the double pacing and Canailian element from old Pilot,
triply nitensified, originating She former, and the psychical influence of the thoroughbred
runner, imported Bonnie Scotland, on the pacing element, creating the latter. Another son,
the Washburn horse, owned until death in Central Ontario, also proved his power of trans-
mitting this inheritance, his progeny. Lady Suffolk, Balmy Bill, St. Lawrence Maid, and
Lady Jane, doing actual campaign turf and ice service low down in tlie thirties, the latter
winning the great five mile race at Mntchmoor Park, near Ottawa, in 1873, and St. Lawrence
Maid trotting her mile on ice in 2:iG."
The Washburn horse sired Moose, of which horse Dr. McMonagle says : —
" It is through the bay gelding Moose, the sensational circuit trotter of 1879, that the
Washburn horse transmitted his strongest jiotency for speed. This. great campaigner and
winner was a fast trotter fro- .^ his first debut on the turf, and at the present has obtained a
record of 2:20^, the fiistest ever secured by a Canadian-bred horse, and now only equalled \i\- the
Royal George mare, Lucy, another Canadian bred, obtained this season. Moose is owiud by
Robert Y6ung, of Ottawa, and was bred by Mr. McGarr, at present «>f Smith's l-'alls. The
mother of Moose was a mare brought from New York, formerly owneH by John Morrissey,
was used for turf purposes, said to be a Trustee ttiare, and was reputed to be able to show
trials of speed as good as 2:34."
How the St. Lawrence element, of which Moose is so distinguished a represen-
tative, may be perpetuated, is also shown, although Tvith Moose must terminate
the line of descent so far as he is concerned.
After even this brief review of the history of the Canadian pacing element, it
will not be difficult to agree with Dr. McMcmagle, that " if properly husbanded,
coupled, and crossed by Canadian breeders, it cannot help but be immensely pro-
ductive in profits to the horse-breeding interest of Ontario. "
Due to what circumstances and to what commingling of blood will be seen as
the narrative pr< ceeds, Ontario can boast two families of horses founded within
her own borders, that are, beyond all question, eminently adapted for the purposes
of the hour — the Royal Georges and the Clear Grits.
THE ROYAL GEORGES.
The Rny.al Georges .are thus described by Dr. McMonagle : —
"The class of horses in Ontario particularly, that have a type of their own, that are firm
in their characteristics, that are undying in their habits, and that have always held their an-
HORSE BREEDING-THE ROYAL GEORGES. 349
central heredity in spite of all opposition, are the Royal Georees Thev oriin-naf»,l t„ n,-
siDie that they could .e the basis of a class of hordes strictly Canadian wliich Pnimlflrl J^/k
d'ar'ih!fn'V"''.'''^K*'j."'""'''*''^'r^^^""''' 1^'""''»<'« the essentia Ssi^^
day-the pack or Coach horse. The Canadian lloyal (ieorKes stand well on the r limh^ fhl^
U^iTadTraclS IZ'/"^'' ^"^""^ -n^t'tutio/, and do^ubtless J^^y^'iJ^^^l^
The origin of the Royal Georges is given as follows •—
The oriKinal founder was Tippoo, styled 'Old Black Tippoo!' H^ wasZ p'roduce of I mi?;
that was brought to Canada it is said, from the United States, by a pre«:her Mr HoZrfl
She was in foal when Mr Morde.i obtained her from Mr. &ard and she nroducrd ?^^^
black colt in the spring' of 1817. The sire of Tippoo was nev^known tCX?t ha« h '
claimed, without proof, that he also belonged to {he UniKtates *^ ''°
b roir. Tippoo we had Warrior. Warrior was a direct descendant of Tippoo Warrinr'a
mother was an bnjj ish-bred mare belonging to an officer of the army of the LTllovals 5hf
wa. of the Warrior lineage, and was browa, alth .ugh the Tippoo family vvereWaKnd (f^
her we have a brown horse, which is known as 'Black WaK.'Hi^ owner Mr Tohi^
m 1841), intended to take the horse to Michigan, but on his way heVot lame and was Vr.T^
h^gS wete^plcel^'"^ *"^"^^ """ «""^^ «^ ^°"'^-' ^^^ kep^hirunUlTe dfi " ttyTf
J'. 1^1
>:f^*^4a^f>^
1 i
feii
'WM. B. SMITH "-(BoYAL Georqe).
360
ONTARIO AORWULTURAL COMMISSION.
From the veins of Warrior we have Royal OeorRe, ant* from th»« IoJiih of Hoyal George we
nave the best hrcf-d of horMs t..at ever lived in Cmmdi*. He produced Laiiy Bynm. 2:2M. I-ady
Hamilton, 2:30, Tartar, 2:284, and Toronto Chief, 2:24i («a.ldle): also Royal Revenge, and
.'In*^^' have pnKlucea ^-otters Roing as low am 2:20A, and selling in the market at aH high
S'ol Wn: ".'fm^'*'?"^ " '"J?''''};'^.^'*l«t*"'* ^•''••^- 2:-i9i; Bvron, 2 2.H ; Fred Hooper,
2:23; J. Ellis, 2:29; Luoy, 2:20* : Belle of Toronto. 2:3(»; 5fell, 2:27; John S. Clark, 2M}
Mike Jefferson, 2:29i ; Fanny Jeffirson, 'i:2»i; Thomas .Jefferson, 2:23 (represented in the
•CTOmpanying illustration) : Commodore Vv>, V " -' >n Klagler, 2:28* ; Geo. F. Smith, 2:28 •
and many others not included in the 2'M .w ;■» I'tjf gr. atly dreaded olil-time trotter Tac<.„y.
with a mile record of 2:.'6, And a two m\h^ ono ol ,'; Oi -the winner of more thr.n twenty hotlr
contested events~the conqueror of Mora T. ...pic in two set races, was Canadian bred, by
Sportsman, a son of old lippoo. Anotiier son of Tippoo, the Soger horse, got the fast mare
Crazy Jane, 2:27; anotner, a grandaoi of old Tippoo, got J. H. Burke."
The descent of Royal George, on the dam's side, is thus referred to :—
IT 'If. ^^/'y descendant of Messenger, Jfarris' Hambletonian, sometimes known as Bristol
Wambletonian, produced two daughters, which Mr. BilHnf?ton of Middlebury, Vt,, was
taking to Detroit, and while travelling near London. ' .cwio, i,lie .ff ojie permanently
injured herself by getting her foot through a corduroy l.iidge, and became crippled for life.
^She was sold to Mr. Barnes, the then owner of Black Warrior, who livetl twenty mii«s south
of Liondon, and became the dam of Royal Geoi^e.
*• "j''**'lr^*u a^^ark bay or almost brown horse, fully sixteen hands high, and well propor-
tioned. His head and neck were good, his body deep and round, joints large and strong, and
legs and fe°t without fault or blemish. When Royal Geoive was three or four years old. Mr
Barnes sold hiin to James Foishee, hence the 'Forshee horse.' During this peiiod he was
looked upon as a large, strong, handsome business horse, and a remarkably fine traveller, but
nobody dreamed that anything fast would ever spring from him, or that hewouJA found a
Canadian family. Mr. Munger bought him from Mr. Forshee, and sold him to Mr. Dough-
erty, of bt. Catharines, for |400. It was Mr. Dougherty that gave him the name of Royal
^*%'"*^« , ^1 ^^■'^' ^u "• A^hford, of Lewiston, N.V., l.ought him. and kept him thare and
at Butf^o two or three years. I think he was again repurchased by Mr. Dougherty, and
died at St. Catharines -n IStil. There is no tradition of his ever being in a race but once, and
that at Hamilton on 'he ice in 1852, in a contest for a very considerable wager with th>
famous Stote of Mame.' Royal Oeorge won easily, and was not e)wtended beyond a 2.50
Of the Royal George family, two stallions available for stiul service in Ontario
at the present time are prominently mentioned in the evidence. One of these
• Wm. B. Smith,"* is owned by Mr. Wiser, M.P., of Preacott. The services of
this horse can be had at a very moderate feo. The other, " Erin Chief," also
available at a most reasonable charge, is the property of Messrs. A. & R Wells of
Aurora (York). Of *' Wm. B. Smith," Mr. Wiser says in his evidence :—
" ?!>? horse T speak of is a descendant of Royal George, out of an imported mare. His
name is Wm. H. bmith, and he was sired by Thomas Jefferson, a f r„tter with a record of
2:23, who, in turn, was sired by Toronto Chief, and he by Royal < k. ge. On the side of his
dam, he is out of imported Heather Bloom by Tallyho. He is one of the kind of trotting
stock from which I propose to breed our farm horses, those for lighter agricultural work He
IS also of the kind to cross with the Messenger stock, so as to get the park horse, if we ever
are to get it. He stands sixteen hands high, and is a bright chestnut colour. On mv own
track he has showed me a mile in 2:35, and a half-mile in 1:16."
Of Erin Chief, the following account has been obtained : —
"Erin Chief is a golden chestnut, 1.5f hands high, weighing 1,200 pounds, with fine trot-
ting action requiring neither weights nor boots. He is a very bright, intelligent animal, and
of a particularly docile disposition. He was got by Howe's Royal George, whose sire was
* leld 8 Royal George, son of Royal George, the founder of the far, ily, who was, consequently,
grandsire to Erin Chief. His dam was Erin Queen, daughter of imported Charon, a horse of
distinguished pedigree." . od ui
Erin Chief has been nine years serving as a stud horse, having in that time
sired no less than 400 colts, which show his characteristics in .. remarkable degree
He has had very little training, but can, it is said, trot a mile in 2:30 or better'
A considerable number of his progeny are stated to be able to show three minutes
or better in their three-year-old form. Five or six that have been trained have
* See illustration, page 349.
HORSE BREEDINO—TUE CLEAR GRITS.
851
M *'
done 2:30 on a firnt-clawi track. No lesa than forty-nix of his prceny were ex-
hibite«l at the Toronto Induatrial Kxhibition last fall. *- o ^
Mr. Williams, deploring the rapid disappearance of Canadian families of horses,
remarks that the Royal Georges are going m the same way. It in much to be hoped
that such a reeult may be averted, and a family of horses so well qualified to give
reputation to the horse-breoding industry of Canada be carefully encouraaed and
maintained. ^
THK OLBAR OBIT>^.
The Clear Orit family have been founded even more recently than the Royal
George tribe The venerable originator still lives, the property of Mr. George
Whitely, of Seaforth, and the art of the photographer furnishes a picture of the old
horse, as woU as his wortfiy owner.
Cloar Grit is the oHspring of a thoroughbred horse, Lapidist (whose sire wa«
Touchstone), and a jxujing mare sired by a horse known as Cock of the Rock— a fact
that leads to some learned speculation, and on which Dr. McMonagie founds an
elaborate argument tending to show the tenacity of the transmitting element in the
pacer tnbe Clear Grit, according to Dr. McMonagle, clearly inherited the pacing
faculty. He says : — " i e>
"That Clear Grit himself paced isa matter of notoriety, aa he frequently exercised in that
eait on the Brantford track when owned by Mr. Mitchell, and hii<f to be weiK'ljted on his fore
feet to mpmre away hij gait to a trot. The groom of St. Patrick u my informant as to the
mode of weighting both Clear Grit and his son St. Patrick."
He goes on to say : ~
" It is UHelesa to deny— nobody denies, everj' Caradian rejoices— that this son of Lapidist
conveyR (he still lives) to hia proKeny a valuable inheritance of speed that can be utilized in
the productK i of roadsters, gentlemen's drivers and turf performers. When we find two
strains of bl...,(l comhined in a trotting horse, in about equal pi< .portions, we must consider
these two strar ^ singlv, and determine what each has done of itself In producing trotters. If
each rttniin has, m its own xtr ngth and without theas-istanceof the other, produced trotters,
we are then at the end of tl, investigation, and conclude that both were positive forces in the
production of that trotter. But if we find that one of the strains never produced a trotter
except h: combination with the other, then we may justly conclude that strain is only a neg-
ative element, ;ind may as w611 be displaced for something else."
The conclusion of his argument is : —
"The pacer has an inheritance tliat has come down from a greater antiquity than tha
running horse, and it cannot I logically maintained to the contrary, but that the old pacing
mare overshadowed Laiudist, a id psychically, independently, transmitted her Narragansett
inheritance to her son Clear Grit, Lapidist arousing her previous ancestral inheritance and
securing a fixity and firmnesa of type."
Mr. Patteaon, however, puts in a plea for the thoroughbr d as follows : —
"In speaking of thoroughbred stallions in Canada, I would w h to point out that the
Royal Ceorge stallions, and C'ear Grit and his sons, of whom 1 have en much mention made
during the course of the Commission's inquiries, must, in my opinitm, be allowed to trace a
great deal of their excellence to the thoroughbred blood in their veins.
"The Clear Grit family tracen to Lapidist and the Royal George horse Erin Chief, to ths
imported thoroughbred horse Charon ; while both the Clear Grit and Erin Chief families are
descendants of an iiniiort' ' horse called Blacklook, a thoroughbred brought into this neigh-
bourhood, an<! originally >wn as Fidget.
" Poth these famiiies .e pre-eminently trotting families, .nnd when you take into account
the thoroughbied Mood in the veil of Rysdyk you n ay sssume that there is no trotting blood
of any value in this countrv, that is not so mixed with that of the thoroughbred, as to bear
out what I say, vi/.., that thoroughbred blood is essential to its pxcellence. Consequently w
ought, even for trotting purposes, to encourage the importation ii thoroughbred stallions. All
the great American trotting families, the Stars (Dexter), the Clays ^Patchen), Hambletoniana
(Goldsmith Maid), boasts of thoroughbred blood; while Lady Palmer and others were clean
thoroughbreds themselves."
That the trotting element is a very marked characteristic of both the Clear Grits
and Royal George is quite c!fi.ar. In the Tovi^nto GL-ihr^ of Jr.ly IvHh and 14thj the
sporting editor gives some account of the Clear Grit family and their performances.
His account of Clear Grit is as follows : —
1'^
352
OyTARIO AOHICULTUHAL COMMISSION,
.n«n.?h„ 1^ 11*" ^ ? marvellous y plucky rolt. and In tlm«, after he had been nearly
- Sr? h J7.M ' ^*"'"";i'" »'"> »ft«r h« >a. I,««„ Longed about the atrek. ..f foronto in a k"S
cart, he ultima ely after many vicinnituaeH, turne-fout to be a spee.ly trotter for hi. dayr^,d
uJ^^ ..m" ' '*'• •^i'"!'"'^ ""J **" ""'■.•' "^ '='""•' *"' ">« f^"»t wheVonoe the heaU were broken
He would Htay all day. and never give uj. a race ai. Iouk as he wa8 allowed to Htay in it
I do not at the moment remea.ber what reconl he Hecured while on tie tiirf. but he is ratmi by
.,.inion that he would have been very fast had he enjoyed the advantages of judicums harul!
ihll /'r? i^" n""""'- t*" '* * ""«^ HK»'t-uecked. and heavy.ba.r.lledl.orHe. rather remark-
able for Iuh wi.lely npread Kaaconi.. Many who have Heen him trot nay he i« the bl^fKent S d
hor»e they ever saw, and that he carried hin himl legH anil feet very wide ai-a. t, while the front
onet* moved in a much narrower gaujfe. j » »i «. k, wmio kue irons
"During the Kreuter part of his career In the gtud, Clear Grit, like nearly all other
?.')n fh f ft* r?' «"^«'-«'> *1 »•"•»« "f '«'"•«''. frood, bad, and in.litferent, though of
course, those of the last mentioned olanses Kreatly outnumbered those of the former. The tirnt
of hiB colts to come prominently into notice. *,. far as I have been able to learn, was Clothesuin
a hor^e which, after BhowinK a good turn of .peed in Canada, went to the United SUtes. ami
•bowed trials ae good as 'l-M or better. "j"!"."" oMties, ana
"In the Hummer of 187« St. Patrick, a five-year-dd son of Clear Grit, trotte.l in remark-
alily go.Kl form at Woodbine Park, and in 1877 showed a trial over (Ueveland track in 2 22
*nrf''"ihn!'''{''M •" '^''"* """T t^^ix'^^'y. ""il ''«« not since distinguished himself u,K.n the
Jn hL n,?f *^ there appears to be no reason why he should not do so any time he may happen
to be nut in good hanls and conditional for a race. ' »»Fi ""
"Next came the famous bay stallion Amber, by Clear Grit, out of a daughter of Royal
Royenp (the latter a splendid sire of Royal Geo?ge extraction). Amber wla recently S
2^v Knf ^ff^""'"*'""•'^'*^*^^ ''!]"":* "^ *»'«, Rochester spring meeting, and it is necesnary to
n/w n K .^ concerning him. lie is generally acknowledgi-d to be the most beuitiful aniW
now on the trotting turl, speeds without weigfits or artificial aids of any kind, and was never
known to hit himself anywhere when trotting on anything bearing the slightest resemblance
luari riL/^S; i" «lf «J'»K 'uptakes a very long stride 1)ut carries his hind feet far eno "gh
apart so that they pass clear outside of the front ones, and never clips a hair. He carries his
Sf^iri i^'f ^''/'■^'^""^''^.T'^ '■'^P'l^'y' ri'- •" "•j"''*' •^'» ^»y «' Jolngcan best be iescribed
as perfection itself, fiow ?ast he can trot I do not know. I saw hfm trot a mile at Rochester
in 2. 2% and it anpeared to be no effort for him I saw Johnny Gordon come to him trotting
f« .f . fV''' """^ ? I ^'V^'" '}Tt ^"" "f '""^^'^y' ^'**>""' ^^^r straightening his neck. hI
is a good-tempered, level-headed horse, though not a remarkably quick beginner. This, the
most famous of the sons of Clear Grit, was sold last summer by Mr. Pilkey, of Brantford, who
bred hmi, to |eek, o Syracuse, for 83,0.iO, and his present owner could have sold hi nT at
Rochester for $10,000 in cash, had he wished to do so."
The writer winds up his description of a long list of Clear Grit's descendants as
follows : —
"So much for the Clear Grits in Brantford and vicinity, but they are scattered over
western Ontario m great numbers, and many of them are very promising. The Hamilton
pacer, Dan shows a strong inclination to trot, and shows a splendid gait in that way of
going. All the descendants of Clear Grit have nearly the same way of going. With the ex-
ception of a few paces they are wonderfully pure gaited, and travel wide behind like Amber.
11 ITu 1 '^^ "f'^" striders ; nearly all of them are blood-like and stylish in appearance •
all that have d<me anything upon the turf have proved themselves stayers of the staunchest
type, and, m short, it appears to me that they are just what is required to cross with the
descendants of o ,1 Messenger. From such a cross the breed could hardly fail to secure game,
staunch, and stylish roadsters, while, when he did happen to raise a fast colt, he would have
one that \yould neither knock his legs to pieces nor break his spirit and constitution by carry-
ing artificial weighta before he had reached maturity." ^ ^
THK HAMBLETOiriANS.
It is to " the descendants of old Messenger," represented in this instance by
the Hambletonian family, attention will now be directed.
In the year 1788, a thoroughbred horse named Messenger was imported from
/*?i*"l***,*"® y"»ted States. His pedigree showed him to be a direct descendant
of the Darey Arabian. Prom the Darley Arabian came Flying Childers ; from
Childers, Blaze ; from Blaze, Engineer ; from Engineer, Mambrino (represented in
the cut on page 85o) ; and from Mambrino, Messenger. Of Messenger's his-
tory, after his arrival in America, Dr. McMonagle says :—
" Messenger was imported ii-to this country in 1788, and he first arrived at Philadelphia.
He served for twenty years, during seventeen of which the e.xact places where he stood, and
I '<
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354
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
at what priceB, are known to posterity, aa well ns what mares he sprved darinR the last few
years of his life. Wallace reprints a stud poster of March 1st, lrt02, :iigned by Isaiah Burr
and Benjamin R. Cooper, in which the second para;,'raph of the announcement reads as fol-
lows : — '/Ies8enKer proved himself a noted sire and foal getter when he stocwl in Pennsylvania,
NewJc"»fy, Long Island, and Goshen. His stock, some of wh'ch is selling from $500 to
82,000 each, are equal, or perhaps superior, to any other horne in the States.'
" Mr. Van Ranst, his owner, put it on record forty -five years ago that, for a number of
years, perhaps e ght or ten, he leased his services for an annual rental, free of all expenses to
him, of $1,000 per annum. If we bear in mind that this was three-quarters of a century ago,
that he was located each season in soma section of the country that was essentially agricultu-
ral, and that the average farmer could not then command one dollar as easilv as he can ten
now, we can begin to realize something of the magnitude of a net annual rent of $1,000 for
thn services of a stallion in that day. , ,
" It became noted shortly after his arrival that he was a horse of real innate superiority,
of peculiar prepotency, or a determination to convey to posterity not only what had been
conft-rred on himse'f, but an additional characteristic. He originated a type of horses almost
entiiely different from the family from which he came, uule.>s the combination that produced
Mambrino, the sire of Messenifer, was an exception. He embodi»*d ' all the blood of all the
Howards,' and was the 'noblest Roman of them all.'
" One of Messenger's ancestors, it is said, had the faculty of straddlinj? v/hen on the run,
and he C(mveyed that peculiar h-vbit to his family. Messengers were all large, stylish horses,
and although derived from a vt.fiety of sources on the dam's side, they generally followed the
sire, and produced trotters that were not celebrated for speed particularly, but as roadsters.
"In ilhode Island, in New York, and in New Jersey, there grew v a stock of horses
known as the Messenger stock, and they were all souglit at very high prices. The sons of
Messenger were gathered up during the last few years of his life, and taken in all directions.
Some were taken to Maine, and produced the Bush Messenger family. Ogden's Messenger
was sired by imported Messenger, and stood for many years on the banks of the River St.
Lawrence, across from Morrisburg. It is claimed that Ogden's Messenger produced Tippoo,
but that has not been proved to my satisfaction.
"Messenger had very many other sons, which went in diflferent directions, and wherever
they went they all seemed to impart an influence that produced strong, able drivers, and fine
coach horses. The greatest of Messenger's second descendants was probably Tippoo fciaib.
Junior. It was demonstrated that if a Messenger's grandson and a Messenger's grand-
daughter were bred together, as in the case of Dutchman by the above sire out of Nettle by
Blac< Messenger, they would produce trotters which would go three miles in 7:i2i, an actual
performance, standing unequalled for thirty-three years, whr n on September 2181, 1872, the
great mare. Huntress, in-bred in the same line by Volunteer by Rysdyk's Hambletonian, re-
duced the three-mile feat to 7:2 If, which stands unequalled" yet."
From Messenger came Mambrino ; from Mambrino, Abdallah ; and from Ab-
dallah, Rysdyk's Hambletonian, the founder of tlio Hambletonian Jjranch of th»
AbdalLvh- Messenger stock. Hambletonian, with the exception of one croaa with
imported Bellfounder, was strictly in-bred from Messenger. '
His pedigree is supplied by Dr. McMunagle, as follows ; —
§ /Abdallah.
li
/"imp,
) Mambrino )
\ Amazonia,
Eng. Mambrino.
Throughbred Mare.
I Daughter of ( Thoroughbred Mare.
Messenger. \
Sourkrout
•ougl
Messenger,
( Son of imp.
( Unknown.
}q ( /imp. Bellfounder.
^■f J ( imp. Messenger.
g (.Chas. Kent Mare) /Bishop's Hambt'n < | imp. Shark.
^ V One Eye, ) I Pheasant. %
2 ) ( imp. Messenger. (. Thoroughbred.
H VSilvertaU <
\ Unknown.
" Two streams of Messenger Wood unite in Abd ill ih, t'le sire of Hambletonian, and two
streams unite in One Eye, his Rranil>iam, and these four btreams auit« iu blm."
Or imported Bellfounder it is said : —
"ImjKirted Bellfounder — designated the 'wonderful Norfolk Trotter ' — was importeJ
from England by James Boott, and landed at Boston, Maps., in July, I8i'2, He was a oright
bay with black legs, standing 1.5 hands high. His stud card of the following yaar says :— ' His
sire, old Bellfounder, was a true descendant of the original blood of the Fireaways, which
breed of horses stands unrivalled for the saddle. Bellfounder is allowed by the best judges is
H0B8E BREEDING-TEE HAMBLETONIANS. 355
Norfolk to be the fastest and best bred horse ever sent out of that countv A f fiv. ^«„, 1^
«/^*^l'?? *"®"H°" ^ *^^ ™®"*' o^ *he Mefisenger.Hambletonia,n stock tke
records^ of their performances and the prices they have been sold fo " Mr Wiser
Of this stock Goldsmith's Maid, record 2:14, brought «20 000
Dexter, record 2:57i, brought ^ -Ivoftn
JayGould, record 2:20*. brought .:::: ^'^
Judge FuUerton, record 2:18, brought .W.W f.''XXX
George Wilkes, record 2:22, brought 1 2'ZX
Gazelle, record 2:21, brought ]t\rSSi
Eosalind, record 2:21f , brought .■.■.■:.■::::: 90 S
Chas. Blackman, 4 months old, brought ... «',;«
Prospero, record 2:20, brought 3Ji™
Dame Trot, record 2:22, brought '. '. ." ^^r,
Joe Elliott, no record, brought ,\7XS.X
Bruno, record 2:29i, brought .'..', J"'"")^
Startle, no record, brought o-JWv^
Robert Bonner, no record.
25,000
Dauntless, no record^ 'brought ....'.'.'!.' .".' \'f^^^
Happy Medium, no record, brought '..'.'. .mVJ^
Socrates, no record, brought " ^j'XX"
Edward Everett, no record, brought 20 000
* '
W§ii^fh
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mm'
"MAMBliINO," SIHE OF "MESfciENUElt."
m.
356 ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
Walikill Chief, no record, brought ^}3'?^
M^ud S., record 2:11|, brought • • • • f '-'•J^
Steinway, 2 yr, old, reiM)rd 2::ili, and 3 yr- old, record 2:2.'>f, brought Uy 00
Dick Swiveller, record 2:18, brought I'S^K/O
Trinket, 4 yr. old, record 2 :19|, brought 11,0.0
"I paid $10,000 for Eysdyk with no rec-d. These are only a few of the many that
brought such large prices. It is the trotters of this family that make such performers on the
American turf. As a family they have the best records, with the greatest nuiiiber of per-
formers, and the greatest number of heats within the 2:30 standard adopted by the National
Association of Trotting Horse Breeders."
Maud S., however, has, since the above evidence was given, achieved even a
greater triumph in the unparalleled feat of trotting a mile in 2:10^.
The following are some of her performances ; —
At Cincinnati, July 6th, in 2:34 class (4 starters), Maud S. won in three heats,
2:25, 2:30 and 2:28. Special purse at Chicago, July 24th, against Trinket, won in
three heats, 2:19, 2:2lj and 2:13^.
At Buffalo, AuguHt 4th, 2:19 class (4 starters), Driver winning the first heat in
2:17 ; Maud S. the next three heats, 2:15^, 2:16| and 2:16i.
At Cleveland, 2:19 class (4 starters), three heats, Maud S., 2:24, 2:28 and 2:31.
At Springfield, purse to beat 2:12|, Maud S., 2:20^ and 2:19.
At Rochester, August 12th, purse to beat 2:12|, Maud S., 2:11^, 2:20. (St.
Julian same day and track made 2:1 If.)
Chicago, September 18th, special purse to beat 2:ll|, Maud S., 2:10J. This
was her last race for the season.
^ II -, ■ '— - '" ^.^J^-*]*?- -,^.^r^ ■ T^
» MAUD S."— Bbcord 2:10}.
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358
ONTABIO AORICULTUBAL COMMISSION.
Maud S. has already been noticed as inheriting pacing blood through her dam,
Miss Russell, daughter of Pilot Junior. Her sire, Harold, is an in-brod Hamblo-
toniau, his dam. Enchantress, and his sire, Rysdyk's Hambletonian, being both by
Abdiillah, grandson of Messenger.
The chief representative of the Hambletonian family in Grenada is Rysdyk,
already mentioned as purchased by Mr. Wiser, M. P. , for $10,000, without record
on the turf, but ostoomod inv.ilu.vbie for breeding pu poses.
Rysdyk is descemled on the dam side from Lexington, a horse that, according
to Dr. McMonagle, "has produced more runners at the running gait than any
other stallion."
Lexington sired Lady Duke, of whom Dr. McMonagle says : —
" Aristides Welch, of Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, is probably the most astute breeder of
blooded horije stock in the United States, exceiJt Alexander, of Kentucky. He goes into the
examination of pedigree:) systematically and philosophically, and he will breed from nothing
but what is pure and has a perceptible line of inheritance. Ho raised Lady Duke, who was
by Lexington, and her pedigree shows that she came directly through Madoc, by American
Eclipse, who was out of Miller's D.unsel, by Messenger, Mr. Welch conceived the idea that
if he could incorporate .Messenger blood with thoroughbred blood, and further concentrate it
with Hambletonian, which was in-bred Messenger (and when I say in-bred I refer only to
sires), he would produce a model horse to breed from. He produced llysdyk."
Dr. McMonagle adds as to Rysdyk: —
'Tlambletonian is dead, and no other Rysdyk could be produced in the same way. Thii
" LEXINGTON."
HORSE BREEDINO— CLEVELAND BAYS.
359
Rysdyk 18 extraordinary. He has a wealth of muscles in the gluteal regions that is Bimi.lv
unmeuse. He h.. buttock, .m h iu. like a Shorthorn bull. Ryndyk oro.luces true to Iuh t7l e
To a learned man ami a man who stulieH the philosophy of breeding, he in a wonder ke
breed, truthfully to hi. ancestral inheritance, independent of what he meets on the dauT'a
Of the Hambletonians' performances, Dr. McMonagle says :—
„!fi,"'^*^\^f'"'''f '"".'*? ^'i'""}'' r^i* "f ^^ performers trotting in 2:18, or better, is credited
with one-half, and out of a total of o4 pei-formers with records of i':20, or better, have 18 oue-
thirdof the whole number ; they have tbe best record of 2:1.'3, with l,(i5.{ heats, and 184
performers having recrds of 2:30, or better ; and tested l)y that record, stand first in all the
classes u. 2:4 >, or better. Their pr.^-enitor, Ry.dyk's Haml.letonian, himself ,,rod ced he
incomparable number of 32 within the 2:.TO standard-having 43 sons, sires of •1;:30 trotters •
17 grandsons, sires of 2:J0 tiotterf ; and 4 great-grandsons, s res of 2:30 trotters, a prepotency
guaranteeing breeders that his male descendant, can impart with uniformity to their produce
the best characteristics of their farady, and transmit those characteristics f..r successive gen-
erations, and, while remaining true to tli.ur original type, they not only effect an improve-
ment in others, hut an improvement in themselves. f °
^^Jk^'""*'''^''.^*''®-"''*'''^,*^''®."*^^ "":}}} IV"«^'J°e something dissimilar and superior from
anything any other sire could produce. The Ha ubietonian is the Shorthorn of creation."
The Grey Eagles, lUack Hawks, ami Tippoos (the latter an elder branch of the
aame fiimily as the Royal Georges; are still represented in Canada, although the
traces of their descent are, for want of any record, gradually being lost.
i.4
CLEVELAND BAY.
|i
300
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
THB CIEVRLAND BAYS.
Of Yu^rL?kr'rni?nTth?'"^*''^Vf an indefinituly distinct period, in the distriot
ZJnhv.' ^l"*'''"*^' ^^'- Ki^^« tli«m thoir imrne. They xvore the old-fasi .ned
So tZZu^"''"^\"A ^'^' :^'"" r^« ^"'•^ b*^'- ^"'^"heB heavy. aiV^eod of
little mportauco, while a certain diKnity of atvle a„.l action in the nteedB wJ
regarded as a proper accornpaui.nent^.f travelling greatness Dr McMonal 5J
hi::!" fSioiri" ""'■ ^-'^^^^ ^- ^--'' °^ ^--. "•-"-. ?n%fgfdr'^eU"
were connrraed, and we comtnenced iintM>ri-in<»ii. 1H7-. vv« n "ui m »s conciuBions
Youatt, speaking of the improved Cleveland, says: "Now we have an animal
with far more strength and treble the speed." « "»ve uu aiuma
Professor Low says: " It is tjio progressive mixture of the blood of horses of
higher breeding w,th those of the nomnf.m race, that h;ta produced the vSty o
coach horse usually termed the Cleveland Bay." The district of Cleveland^wes its
superiority in the production of this beautiful rac . of hoi.s to tRe [.osslion o a
In a wcrd the original Cleveland Bay is n.. longer to be seen, but he is replaced
Mr. Patteson says of the Cleveland Bays •
Mr. Williams, however, says : —
« mT p!;ff"^ "li^"^ CleveLknd Bays in thi^ Province, but I do not think so highlv of them
fS«^I" ,^'*"^«"n does. The few I have s^-en have usually been very deficient in Ic.fon whil^
their colts have been raw-bonod, very slow to mature, not very stronl'in constitution ^nd
L'lt:A"Krn'd''Ba^rnTh"'^li''"'" t ''"" IT' '"^^'^^ '^ ^ ^U" to"? oIlow!""f h\"ve
not seen ine uieyelancl liays in the old tnuntry, and I am »peakin(? merely of those thaf )iav«
WdYs7etW" weflTu^t"^^^ '''''■'''' ^^ '^^^ «^'^" ^« '''' -«i thr Kl^"! fhSk'th:
It is quite possible to reconcile, or at least account for, these rather conflicting
statements. There is a great scarcity of Cloveland Bays, b^tli in England and else?
rw 'l' '^"^ "«**^'"f .« 'T' likely than that inferior horsLs, claiming Ke improved
Cleveland Ba,ys, which have no such definite type or standard as some other breedT
thor:i2lE^=£t=^^;eS';S:iS^i-i;^^S^
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34
HORSE BREEDING— THE SUFFOLK PUNCH. 361
tll^rj'r^^u'"'^ '".*'''^ ^"y- ?"** ^'"^'^y «^«° *'^« improved Cleveland is very scarce, which
Wl^„ «'i«.^'*^^'""*i''!I i'"'* ^^s^ ".^ ^''*'?*'*- ®.';* *'>^y «"■« ''«"a''l« breeders in Yorkshire,
liav ng mares descended from old and popular families, who take puins to secure the service of
stallions of the same class. But even this cannot last long, for agents ol the Russian, German
and * rench Governments are constantly scouring the country for large and strong ' nags ' and
Ivleveland stallions, paying high prices, which accounts for their not being sooner introduced
f?om&7o"5:J50jo\'^^^^^^^ Cleveland stands from 16* to 16| hands high, and weighs
fK ^\}^ ^t* *>een my good fortune to personally inspect some of the most popular stallions
that have been acknowledged and patronized as Cleveland Bays by the most reliable breeders
^11 ."Triu '"• J'"","?tJ%.P*** P\H n <"■ tw«n*y years. Among them are ' Barnabv,' ' Luck's-
All, Champion,' 'Brilliant,' 'Emperor.' 'Wonderful Lad,^ 'General Beneht.'' and many
desoradantT* * "^ '^'^ ™ *"^ ^°^°^ ''®'"^'''® "*'"' ^'*'* "^"^ *^' *^"''
. u"^w'°"^ called ' Cleveland Bays' have no doubt been imported and failed of good re-
suits ; but genuine Cleveland Bays have to mj certain knowledge been imported and been
eminently successful in producing just the 'model horse,' 'bay, 16 hands, weighing 1,200
pounds, with plenty of bone, symmetrical all over,' 'action high and trappy, 'yet ho is at
home on the reaper or threshing machine." I'i'/, /<>. .« « »■,
THK SUFFOLK PUNCH.
Of the breeds of draught horses represented in Canada, the Suflfolk Punch is one
of the most promising.
Mr. Patteson speaks of the Suffolk as follows : —
"I think the chestnut Suffolk stallion would immensely improve our general purpose and
agricultural stock, and possibly even our dray and heavy-draught horses ^
«r .»,»n. K -m" *"«,^^y.^e stallion are very inferior to those of the Suffolk, being either flat,
or shelly, brittle, and sjjlit, whereas those of the Suffolk are as sound as a thoroughbred's ; that
Is to say, their texture is very firm, close, elastic, and not liable tn Sreak. Again, a Suffolk
irthatoft«XT''^r°"^''«Ti^*?^^ ""-^ ^' ^^•K^'* is almost equal
enS we* ht 1 *''° Suffolk stallions quite as heavy as ordinary Clydes, but the
,M
94
SUFFOLK PUNCH.
M
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362
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
I Bay that it would be wiae not only to encourage the Suffolks as a breed, but for cross-
mg purposes I value them much beyond the Clydes, for the reason that the latter crossed with
a common mare gets a mongrel, becauHe the cross is too sudden and violent, and the contrast
too, strong. On the other hand, the Suffolk does not present so severe a contrast to the
ordmary mare as the Clyde, being naturally a much lighter timbered horse, of greater en-
durance, smoother shap«, and without the cleft rump of the Clyde, and the cross with him
would produce an animal good for agricultural, dray, or omnibus purposes, or in fact any-
thing short of a hunter. r t- . j
"I have seen many_ carriage horses bred by mating thoroughbred sires and Suffolk mares,
and would not be surprised if that were the origin of the Cleveland Bay. A Suffolk horse of
the proper kind is a chestnut resembling the Clyde in substance and contour, but has not the
quantity of hair on the legs that the latter has, and which often serves to hide many imper-
fections and diseases. I should say the bone of the Suffolk is as big as that of the Clyde, but
he 18 much hite what a Clyde crossed twice with a Cleveland Bay would become. When I
was last m England I saw great numbers of Suffolks in the county of that name, and in part
of Norfolk, 1 hold not only that they are better horses for crossing purposes than the Clydes.
but also that few fair specimens of the class have ever been imported into Ontario.
A young Suffolk stallion can be bought in England for about 100 guineas ($500 or S600)
much the same price as would be paid for a Cleveland Bay. Mr. Simon Beattie has imported
some_ Suffolks, and thinks highly of them ; but the most of his have been sold out of the
l-rovince. Mr. Beattie, with a pair of Suffolk mares, once took the Provincial prize over all
comers in the class for heavy teams. "
THE CLYBESDALES.
1 The Clydesdale is too well known in Ontario to need an elaborate description,
although the views of his utility and adaptability to the wants of the country are
interesting, and some of them have already been noticed. To the great importance
attached m Great Britain to the pwrity of the breed of the Clydesdales, the follow-
mg statement m Dr. McMonagle's evidence bears testimony :—
"On the importance of regis'-.ration, so as to distinguish one stock from the other, and to
keep each stock pure and free from the other, and to keep each stook pure and froe from con-
tamination, It was thought that the Clydesdales might deteriorate, owing to the want of pro-
per protection by classification, and no less a man than the Earl of Dunlnore has of late years
originated a society in Scotland for the protection of the ClydesdApi. T^ree years ago the
Earl of Dunmore was elected president ; 97 noblemen and gentlem^joined as life governors
paying ten guineas each ; 57 life members paid five guineas each ; and there -were 44 annual
members-altogether 198 members, producing an income for the Society of £1,112 for the first
year. Their first volume, for a register of stallions only, had 1,400 entries, and the Earl of
Uunmore generously paid the expenses of its printing, and gave each member a copy. The
second volume appeared only a few months ago, and the same attention to detaU which char-
acterized the farst volume has been maintained throughout. This volume contains a record of
the colour, the dates of foaling, and all the marks."
Mr. Tumlin says : — Vi
I, v" ^ ^?^ ??* j^ ^^K^^ ^^^ ¥^"8r imported, some of them very good. We do not object ta
white on the hind legs, but we do not like it on the fore feet. Nearly all our large buvera ir
the United States arc Jews, and they don't like a howe with white for? feet."
Mr. Wiser says : —
^ "Clydesdales are, I thl. .altogether the beat strain to use upon our native mares to
improve o-r draught horses. I should certainly stick very closely to them for that pwrposo.
Of this stock 1 would strongly advise the use of imported or thoroughbred sires."
Mr. Pattesoi says : —
"I think the tendency of horse breeders in Canada, at the present time, is to use Clyde,
or heavy draught stalhons, too promiscuously ; that is, not only with big, heavy mares, but
upon small, light mares as well. o» j =, ».
"The best Horse for actual draught that we have, is unquestionably the Clyde, as nearly
pure as can be got. By draught horses, I understand you to mean such as are suitable for
railway lorries, brewers' and distdlers' waggons and drays, or fitted for taking about machines."" •
Mr. Williams speaks somewhat critically of the Clydes. He says :—
"From what I have heard of them, and judging by the specimen I saw— which was
imported- by Senator Cochrane— I should say that the Suffolk has a bettef head than the
Clyde IS cleaner cut out under the jowl, has a better neck, is generally deeper and better
formed about the chest, has a vastly better barrel, has full round ribs instead of the slab sides
of the Clyde, and is without the raggedness of the latter's hips. The loin is broad and well
HORSE BREEDING-CLYDESDALES AND PERCHERONS. 363
mnscled, the quarters are well rounded, the weitrht well carried hlw^e fn f},» !,..*#. i xi.
ever t« make stylish or desirable horses, while the ffiksrive evidence o? vTrv ^..^^^,±1"''
r«o«m.„d th. imp„rt.«„„ of the S„mJ ffihl* . m^S oVtoprovIn™™ hSJ'""""
Mr. George Cockbiirn, of HnUimore (Northumberland), nays ■—
Mr. Robert Beith, of Darlington (Durham), says :—
"The first Clydesdale mare I bought was five years azo but Drfivimi« fr. fV,a<. tv,„^ i
using pure Clyde stallions. For twenty-five years wrhave been m?n^^^^^ kJh f ir ^^^"i
high-bred mares, and at one time we imported threrstXonsfnto the^E'rv T S^^^
imported the Clyde fillies and the colts. I do not think the ClvdesdXdTtVr.W^ ^''''•?
they are kept pure and are judiciously crossed. Clydesdales deteriorate here, if
' We breed our own well-bred Canadian mares to the best Clydesdale stallinn, «,» „o„
procure and when colts reach four years old they can be sold readK at from S
ihese are heavy horses, weighing 1,000 to 1,500 pounds or thereahont^ T fil5 *k *^^^-
useful on the farm, and when'l wlsh'to dispose of t'Lem, I cL do so eS. ^ ^'"^ *^'" ''''^
I would not call them general-purpose horses. They are rather draueht horspa fnr fi,«
American market. I sell to jobbers or dealers. Good Clvde stalliona af f h.A ij *°®
worth about !81,000, bred from Canadian mares with four KseBlnthem/*^'"" ^'^^ "''^ ^'^
Mr. Lawrie, of Malvern (York), who, in a4dition to the business of breeding
Ayrshire cattle, also raises pure-bred Clydesdales, says :— oreeaxng
" I raise pure Clydesdale horses, chiefly for sale. I have at nresenf- » nnnnlA «f ,v,„.„ j
a coup e of stallions that I brought out from Scotland. I think thTciydeXe st^ iSn on'S^ .
Canadian mare is the best cross you can get. '-'lynesaaie staUion on the •
r.„« '?^'' "^^^Pu '" .'^'LT'"? *^® Clydesdale on the Canadian stock is to raise a general nur
pose horse. TheJighter horses may be more suitable for certain purposes and wh/r^Fnn J
journeys are necessary, but I think a farmer who keeps two or three soaTof hnr^ll lr?f
keep a span of Clydesdales and a span of light ones. We never find^th-ClvS i^*^^
fS'°L*'j'f™'*r*' ""^ *^« pure Wy C&desdale ho;;e\":l?L^lre^hiJi'n^^^^^^
h~H nK^"^^r^''.r^' ^T/ year. They are mostly of the same type, got b? a tLrou/h
bred Clydesdale sta lion, and from as heavv mares as I can get. I go in for the heaviest mlt«
Icanhnd. 1 usual y sell my horses in Toronto: the Americans Vome here to buy them all
th^ time, and I think taka them to New York. \('e find them equally saleable for the SuS
dray horses for the citv. For a enn,\ Hrnno.Kf »,„-„„ /u.... r_ . V, P'"."&1
z:H^i^£Sn':.^?.!?riiirJi^« fe A-„*:^
much as $200 at three years-of sTcii . hors-e '.^"uld wTgh l^or M^T TrCl/defdll^:
are bred here more numerously than any other class of hordes. I think the produce of tm
KL^n^'^^mlt^^tee^tsrS.^^^^^ '''''' I«^«-t think there is a^nyf^S S l"?;
i^
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m
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THE PERCHERONS.
The Percherons in Ontario are few in number, although some very fine sneci-
mens of the breed are now to be met with.- The Commissioners visited the large
farm and horse-breeding establishment of Messrs. Hiram Walker & Sons of Walker
vUle, near Windsor, m order to see some very fine Percherons purchased bv them
not long previously from a number imported from France by an American dealer
Mr. Hiram Walker describes the Percheron as follows :~
••The Percheron is a snug, close-built horse, easily kept, has a quick action is a fast
walker, and, for a heavy horse, a fast trotter ; he is good-temp^red, an3 has CTeat enduranrf
Se "Sr''' ^'' ^'*^' ' '^" ^'' ^ ^""'^''' ^™"' *^«'«^«™ HeverarbY^k horses and
"To cross our stock, or even as they are, they will, in my opinion, make excellent een,
the samTcondltbn!' "" *^'" * '"* """'' '^*° ^"^^ ^^"* °*^«' ^°^««« «** '° keep theThi
364
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
"Our Clydw, I think, would ijet better action and a lighter c-.rriage if crossed with the
Peroheron. The Percheron has good bone and strength in cofapact compass. A Percheron
horse weighing 1,800 pounds will go twenty miles as light as a pony.
" A pro| erl^ selected, large, well-develu]>ed, light, common mare, crossed by a Percheron
horse, should give a good carriage horse. 1 think the Percheron colts will be equal to any
imported horses. We have a large number of mares in foal by Komulus."
The horse in the accompanying cut, while in many respects a pretty faithful
illustration, hardly conveys a juat idea of the springiness and vivacity of the Per-
cherons as represented in Messrs. Walker's stables. The latter consisted of one
stallion, three mares, and two colts. For Bomulus the hrm had paid 93,000, and
for the mares $1,000 each.
Mr. Walker described them as follows : —
"Romulus was foaled April 23rd, 1873. He was got by the (French) Government ap-
§ roved stallion Romulus, whose sire was the Government approved stallion Monarch. The
am of Romulus was a uapple-grey mare named J^ilia, sired by Romulus by Monai ;:h. He
is therefore in bred from two famous horses, winners of all the great concourses of France in
their time.
" H« won the first prize and gold medal at the Universal Exposition of Paris in 1878, and
in the same year xearly thirty other prizes, two for trotting. Romulus is a beautiful dapple-
grey, with heavy white mane and tail ; he is a very fast walker, which is a valuable charac-
teristic of the Percheron horse ; he has fine action, and is, for so heavy a horse, a wonderful
trotter. He stands 16^ hands high, and weighs about 1,7(}0 pounds.
THE FEBOHEBON.
HORSE BREEDING— THE PERCHER0N8.
*6*
•«,? T?**!."";* V^ 5"'?r' *"/»""». 'oal«d May 5th, 1875 ; Co»tto, foaled March 23rd, 1876 ;
r^.u.„f i""' 't*'"*^ J",**!? tP"'?» "' ^®^*' ^« *>**• »«' t'^o <'«lt« '«•<'"» Fftntine and Coretto
resiwctively. Juno failed, but la now, we think, in foal, as are both the others."
The prepotency of the Percheron, when used to cover Canadian mares, ha« of
course been tested only to a limited extent. What is said about them in the evi-
aence must be to some extent speculative in its character.
Mr. Patteson says : —
in fhJ ■^o*"* **"" many horses of that class in France, but do not know anything about them
m the same way as I do of the Suffolks. I saw a two-year-old at the show here this yeai^
W Jir'T?:" ^ ^"w"- u ' AVl ^T ^^^ '^'t'"'^ *>*»"• Mr. Watt exhibited a goocl oni
last year The Rreat fault of the Percheron is that he is inclined to be light in the middle,
put his legs and feet are suponor, nerhaps, to those of either the Clyde or the Suffolk. Ho
.WJ„t • ^Vi*^ ^'''.P®' ^^''y "**""'* ■"'* clean-legged, but too often coarse in the head and
Sloping in tue rump.
Dr. McMonagle does not speak very highly of the Percheron as a horse to be
used for the improvement of Canadian horses. He says :—
nn. il^'i^ '■^'^•*''*^ to Percherons, Mr. Harris, of Moorestown, N. J,, was the i'rst to import
one mto Amenca-Dihgence, purchased in Normandy in 1839. He imported two mares at
the same time and after several years of breeding, he came to the conclusion that they were
not a Huccess, that they would not commingle with the native horses of New Jersey, and all
along the Atlantic coaj.t from there to Florida they have been weeded out. Now there are
many Percherons in Western Canada, Illinois, and Ohio. In themselves they m^y be a use!
ful horse, but they are useless to cross with others. Last year the Russian Goveniment ap-
pointed a Commi.sBion to make an investigation of the Percherons, and Professor Von Med-
dendorf, in his report, comes to this conclusion :-' We all know that most of the secret how
to raise anJ tram good horses consists in the knowledge of how to use the feed-bag from their
most tender age ; and when it is inquired where the original home of the Percheron is to be
nfK»r»."r/®lu'^\"«*"y^P*'''"'">V /'"°^ "■■ i:*^^' ''"* * feed-bag, iilled half with oats and the
other half with chafif and green fodder, was discovered by the explorers. ' "
Mr. Houghton, looking at the matter perhaps a little less scientifically than Dr.
McMonagle, says : — '
«* *u ^ \V® ^®®" Percheron horses, but not very many of them ; but from what I have seen
vlJt iT.i i-^K^PP-".!^ u" * "^^l "'PI horse- perhaps as close a made horse as the Clyde,
very little lighter in the bone, and with mor^ action.'^ '
Mr. Williams says : —
P-. "\} *"* *.i?T'r^"*^*i' ■ '**"" *° '^""^ ^'^** * Percheron really is. I have seen so-called
rercherons that I could not see were any improvement on the Clydes. You will find Per-
cherons brought out here weighing 2,000 pounds, and you wiU find them down to 1,300 or
''Mr. Beattie, whs has brought out a good many horses to this country, brought out a
Percheron, cdled Marshal MacMahon, that I regarded as a very valuable horse to cross
ItockTt wS[ke"v*iU *'" production of large, good horses. I have not seen Mr. Walker's
Mr. Cockbum has h««>n
has come in contact with
I- 1^ feiy®. *®®," ^^^. Percherons, and think they would do well to improve our common
breed. Their cclour is a little against them, but it would not hurt them in the American
market. Ihey are not quite so good as the Clydesdales, as they are a little deficient in bone
when crossed on common mares. The Percheron mares, crossed with Clydesdale horses'
womd produce better stock. *
Mr. Her (Essex) gives a reason for the importation of Percherons into that
county. He says : —
"We are importing some of the Percheron breed from the United States and France.
Ihe reason they have been imported is to give those raised from the Clyd'^s a little more
snap, as the Percherons are considered to have a little better muscle and action. They are
V ^'"■^'^'' ^*" the Clydes, and are fully as heavy. I think they came originallviom
«i*'<7^n "%• Btalhons have been imported from France. Mr. Walker's cost, I believe,
JW.OiiOm France, and Mr. Rankin's $2,000. These horses are considered more intelligent
than Olydes, and the two I have mentioned are exceptionally fine animals. I don't know at
what price a good ordinary stallion for service could be bought in France. For the services
of these stallions one of these gentlemen charges $20, and the other $30."
i-ather favourably impressed with the Percherons he
He says :-
1
J
n
n
1
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1
11
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i
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1
1
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Ii1
.,■• ?
i3|i!
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.'lis
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ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
The next subject to consider is, how to utilize the several breeds or families of
hoises, in order to secure the classes in demand for home use, or for the foreign
market.
THE ROAnSTKR.
For the roadster there is always a good uemand, at fair prices. The roadster is,
in fact, the real general-purpose horse, such as has been already described, fit for
any work on an ordinary farm, but able to make good time on the road when called
upon, to the extent of ten, twelve or even fifteen miles an hour. The male of any
one of the trotting families already mentioned, put to a strong active mare, with a
dash of thoroughbred blood, will be likely to secure the horse that is wanted, in
this class ; one that will be useful on the farm, or for sale at home, is in cc^nstant
demand in the United States, and that may, at any time, prove to be a fast trotter,
worth many times the amount of the ordinary horse, Mr. Patteson says of the
roadster : —
" As to roadsters, the American trottinj? stock, and some Canadian families whloh have
been preserved, will produce all that Id wanted, and we have that now in the Hambletonian,
Royal Georges and Tippoos. Tliis class can safely be left to its own merits and unassisted
progress, particularly as the habits of the people tend very much to its cultivation. Every
man who has a little spare money likes to have a fast roadster, and I can see a great tendency
to improvement in this class of horses, and some in riding horses, as such, more attention
being paid to them by ' Young Canada' than formerly."
Mr. Williams says : —
' ' In my opinion the excuse for the existence of the institution known as the trotting turf»
18 the production of these general-purpose horses. They generally vary in height from 15
hands 1 inch co 16 hands, are moderate eaters, and although hearty, it does not take a small
fortune to feed them ; are closely and compactly made, hardy, free from disease, with plenty
of style and action, and these are the horses that are left after the successful trotters are taken
out of a breeding establishment."
Mr. Wiser says : —
" For a horse which is not required for very heavy farm work, there should be a better
plan of breeding. I would breed to some recognized tn.tting family strong in prepotency,
and capable of producing its like. If you breed properly you will get a horse ISJ or 16 hands
high, gi<i<a for the road, and heavy enough for ordinary agricultural work. I am not speak-
ing, of course, of heavy work.
''You would get a horse that would do for ploughing and such work as that, and would
be able to go on the road and drive at the rate of twelve or even fourteen miles an hour if the
roads were good. They would not only do for farm work, but thej vould always command a
ready market at good prices. It would not do for such a purpose to cross thoroughbreds with
the Clyue, as the Clyde h too heavy for road purposes. About six miles an hour is about a.»
fast as you should drive Clydesdales ; but if you want to go hastily to church, or to the mill
or to town, you require a horse that woultl be able to go at least ten or twelve miles an hour,
lorsuch a horse I would breed our native mares with some well-bred trotting sire, taking
such natives as we can get and improve on them by using their progeny as dams for future
breeding.
• " ^a ^^^^ *" unlimited market for all that we can raise of such horses. I mean in the
United States. Ths great trouble is that, if we happen to get good horses in Canada, buyers
come from the other side and pick them up, leaving us only the poorer ones. Most of our
Eastern native stock have originated from crosses with thoroughbred running sires, and from
these you get some degree of blood in nearly all of them. If vou have a good horse you are
always sure of a market, and the result has been to drain our country of its best horses.
" If I wanted a draught horse I would use ■* Clydesdale, and if a roadster, some recognized
trotting stock. I would follow the breed up with a pure mare as closely as I considered
advisable. I certainly would not cross a trotter with a grade draught horse."
In proportion to the breeding of the mare will be the probabilities of the issue of
such a combination as has been suggested turning out a superior horse. Ordinarily
the result will be a useful, serviceable animal, in as good demand abroad as at home,
and certain to realize a fair if not an extraordinary price in the market.
THE PARK OR COACH HORSE.
A little confusion of ideas may perhaps be created by the use of the term "park
horse," as the old English park or gentlemen's cab horse was certainly not precisely
JlOHai! B^iEEDINQ-^PARK OH COACH HOIiSE.
367
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346
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
the one in the mind of the witneHoa moat earnest in recommending attention to the
raising of the park horse in the preaont inatance. The park horae, in their view, ia
Bomo auoh a horae aa the one in the accompanying illustration.
The requirements of the park horso are thua deacribed by Dr. McMonagle : —
"A park horae ihoiild have a great <Ieal of blood, and be able to trot a mile in 3|| or 4 niln«
nt«8. He nhould bs a ityliah l)ay, Rtandintf IH handk or over, and weighiriK 1.'200 pounds. He
should stand erect on his forelcKs, hnld hix head and tail hi(;h, and be rM»rfnct in Hymmetrv and
form. Hu must be large and broad in his hind (|uarterH, lie nhould be proud of liiiiiHulf, and
dignified and elegant in his Iniaring, firm of flesh, sound in Imne, not liable to s|>avin, straiKht
in limb and standing squarely on his feet. Horses ixmrly bred generally wear the outside of
the shoe first. Unless a horse stands square on his four feet, and wears his shoes evenly, ha
cannot maintain strength and durability."
The aame witneaa goea on to aay :— •
" I think there is a way, however, in which we can breed a park horse.
The Hamble-
tonian being in-bred for such a series of generations, and being so strong in his tyi>e and char-
acter, impresses on his progeny what he receives from his ancestors. He would not fully
impress his own charaotoristios upon them unless he had an aftinity for their dam. In this
country we have a great many thoroughbred horses crossed even to the tenth remove from the
thoroughbred runners, and tho way to utilize them is to unite them with the type wo have got
most akin to them. That type is the Hambletonian, which has been bred from the thorough-
bred. To utilize the native stock we possess, we shorild unite *'>hem with either Royal Ut^orgea
or Hambletonians, because we expect to have the same types meeting in their generation, and
I found that result follow."
The following are then given as the points by which the park horae ia to be>
judged : — *
8ealej)f Points for Judging Hortea applied to the Park Hone.
1. Size, 16 hands being the standard . 8
2. Proportions, general symmetry and perfection of form 10
3. Elegance and loftiness of style and carriage 10
4. Colour dark, free from bad marking on the face or feet R
6. Head clean, broad, expressive, and not too large 5
6. Eye and ear bright, cheerful, and expressive of docility 5
7. Neck, length, shape, and quality, with character of shoulders 5
8. Baok and loins 6
9. Hip and whirlbone, and setting on of tail 5
10. Qu.ality of limbs and feet 10
11. Action lofty, free and bold, knee well bent at speed 6
12. Speed equal to a mile in 3:30 to road waggon 5
13. Docility and kindness of temper 6
14. Pedigree, showing an inheritance of the quality desired, and the con-
sequent ability to tranbmit it , 15
100
Speaking of the park horae, Mr. Tumlin says : —
"If we could get the genuine park horse it would pay us well for export. When I get
hold of a horse of that kind I find he will bring as much in New York as London or Liverpool
—good up-standing horses, 15 to 16J hands high, with gowl action, with a speed of eight to ten
mues an hour, which may be increased to twelve miles an hourif necessary. When I said that
the United State? market for speed or trotting horses was glutted, I did not mean these at all.
Horses of the class I soeak of would bring $150 to J200, and if bred in the way I have men-
tioned would be as proiitable aa the Clydesdales."
The mode to obtain the park or coach horse would probably be, in the present
state of horse-breeding in Canada, to use a thoroughbred or trotting stallion on a
lai^e and well-selected native mare with some thoroughbred blood in her. Size
and form of both sire and dam would have in that case, however, to be most care-
fully studied.
A surer method would, if available, probably be to secure a Cleveland Bay
mare, and cross her with a thoroughbred or trotting horse, with either of which
the thoroughbred blood in the improved Cleveland would readily assimilate. Mr.
Beith makes a suggestion to that effect. He says : —
" I think the proper cross to produce coach horses is to cross a thoroughbred stallion and
BOUSE BRSEDTNG—PARK OR COACH HORSE.
8«9
Sngliih coftoh horM ia produMd, ftad I tutrt
OI«T«l«n<l n»3r m*r«g. Th»t ii tha w»y
MTBr iMn »ny thing to equal them."
Mr. Williami would go a little further, even, for ho anyi :—
w J I" T*"" V* P"^««'«' YictTUit at thin kind, I woiiU! tak« *ny iBrjfe well-fomied mare, and
preed her to a Urge heavy thoroughl.red, ieveral K<M)d H[>eoimen« of which claaa wp have in
the country. I have now In my mind three thoroughl)re<l *tallion» in Ontario that are big
enough when crowied with large mar-^a, to produce Hne Htylinh carriage honi««, that w«uld
aun<t aixteen hanila at the age of four, and with action and general atyle which would auit
them for the hnglmh market. I think the difficulty in producing thia clanN of hornea would
rather Imj the aoarcity of inarea than of horaea. Our importera hardly pay attention enough to
the jmiKirtation of large marea. ' • ' . "
u: J r"",'''.! *»'"*'«y«''. •"■e«d from our own marea, and I wou'd even uae a gowl mare with »
Wg daah of heavy Clydesdale iilood in her for producing geldinga and marea, but I would
rigorouaiy exclude any male progeny of hera from the stud. "
Tina witness also suggests the use of the SulTulk Punch as an element ia th«
production of the carriage horse. He says : —
" We have been marvelloualy aucceaaful In producing good horaea of the roadater type,
from perhaiM rather scanty material, and I think the man who would have pluck enough to
bring over a few Suffolk Punch marea, and breed them to well-bred trotting airea or fine,
etyliah, thoroughbred horaea would, whether or not he maile any money out of the liranaao-
tion, have the aatiufaction of founding a breed that would ultimately be of very great ralue to
the country. Ihere are iMraona in this country willing to pay a high price for a goo( horse,
1j c "*/ market for high-priced animals is very limited, though a man can alwaj a get a
good hgure for a matched pair of stylish horses. I have seen $700 offerad for a matched pair,
the etiuala of which I would think mvi ' in pretty hard luck if I could not breed almost
•ver^ time m the way I have described.
* I- '?"l!' ,'^'"'**" ""^ '" K"«t' demand in the States ; in fact, T have Invariably found that a
atylish, h!gh-8tej)ping carriage horse ia always a saleable article. In fact, the demand in the
atat«« ia of such dimensions, that if every horse in Canada wero turned t>ut in the way I
describe, I have no doubt an abundant market could be found for them there, without one
having to cross the Atlantic."
Mr. Williams goes on to remark : —
"The cost to a farmer of raising a horse of thia kind would be greater than that of ralalmc
a common animal by the increased fee for service, and no more.
not a very large horse himself, producer large stock ; and I have no doubt Mr. Wiser's horse,
Kyadyk, would be especially valuable in this way, for I have never seen any of his get from
large marea thjit did not have exactly the style that was wanted. "
Mr. Patteson strongly advocates the uae of the Cleveland Bay in the production
of the carriage horse. He says : —
" I should welcome the importation of Cleveland Bay mares for the improvement of our
carriage atock, Jut the moat we can hope for is the stallion. The Cleveland stallion comes
from the district in England indicated by his name, and a good prire-taklng specimen can be
got there for $1,000.
" Bred to large bay mares, 16i hands high— the more nearly resembling himself the better
—he would produce London carriage horses for certain.
_ " In my opinion it cannot be tf»o strongly impressed upon judgea at exhibitions that the
priEea m the carriage stallion class ahould, when possible, go to pure-bred imported Clevo-
lands. At the Toronto Exhibition— I do not know who tlie judges were— the first prize for
ounage stallions went to a very fine chestnut horse who was preferred by the judgea to the
Cleveland Bays exhibited. He was, no doubt, a good horse, but he had no distinctive breed-
ing ; he was of Royal George descent, valuable for general purposes, and would get roadster
and trAtting horses, perhaps, but he was not of the right colour to get horses for the English
market. A pair of horses such as he would get could not be sold for much more than half the
price that apairjired by a good English coach horse would bring.
the
eyes,
he will, in that respect, quite come up to the mark. '
It will be seen that while Mr. Patteson has in his eye a valuable candage horse
for the English market, he is contemplating a heavier horse, with less speed at
command, than the park horse of some other witnesses.
*.!
370
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
Precisely how the much-desired park horse is to be obtained is a matter that
must be determined by circumstances and the means at command. That the
raising of such a horse would be profitable, and that it would secure an active
demand, is quite certain. Tire materials being to hand, the result will uepend on
the skill used in applying them.
A RIDE AND DRIVK HORSE.
Mr. Patteson suggests the expediency of raising a horse difiering a little from
the park horse, although preserving some of the same characteristics — a horse he
believes, and -has found to be in good demand in England, and which he styles a
ride and drive horse. M r. Patteson says : —
"The horse for export to England is at present produced entirely by accident, being what
18 called a ' chance ' horse. He is of a different mould altogether from a horse generally
considered valuable in this country ; in fact, those horsed which I have sent to England, and
out of which I have made most money — getting gitineas where I paid dollars— nave been
horses upon which the farmer o'- breeder set comparatively little value, and which they
regarded as being woi'th mu.h less than some straight shouldered, cross-bred machiner in
their stable, or a shelly, weedy and often ugly animal, able to go at a 2:50 or 3-minute gait.
"These horses are generally picked out of farmer^' teams, and have been got by a
thoroughbred horse out of a pretty well-bred mare, partly of trotting and partly of coach
blood.^ An English dealer will give you most money for a ' ride-and-drive ' horse, with the
qualities of a good hunter about him, and irany of our farmers' horses are of just such a
class.
" I will try to describe a model horse of this kind. He should weigh about 1,100 pounds,
stand from 15-3 inches to 16 hands hi^h — anything under 15-3 being classed as small — girth
about six feet, the tendency in girth b^ing to depth rather than width ; should be short in the
back, with very oblique shoulders level quarters, high set tail, and legs planted well under
him ; of a good colour, with no ol actionable markings ; not more than six years old, and of
course sound and free from vice. Such an animal, up to 14 stone, would be worth 120 or 130
guineas, and can often be bought first-hand here for $120 or $130. Of course there are not
many horses in this country which really come up to the standard I have indicated, and such
as do exist have been bred entirely by chance.
"If I wanted to buy twenty such horses, I should go into those districts where, six or
sevjn years ago, was located a thoroughbred stallion of fair size and substance, with good
bone, fiat legs and two good ends, and 1 should be quits sure to find there some horses of th»
class I hav3 described. The stay, dash and thoroupfbhred characteristics in the progeny
would come from the sire, while the mare herself, say half English coach-horse and half road-
»tei*, with no actually cold blood, such as that of the cart horse or the Clyde, would give
additional weight-carrying power, and mares of this kind are plentiful throughout the
country. "
Mr. Andrew Smith, V. S. , the head of the Ontario Veterinary College, speak*
of a similar horse, probably, when he says : —
" There has been a great improvement during the last nineteen years in the saddle horses
of Ontario. There are a number of good saddle horses in Toronto, which, for the most part,
have been got by thoroUfjhbied horses out of big, common, carriage mares. These may be
called hunters, and for this class there is a fair market in Canada, and an excellent one in
England. _A good horse of this kind can be sold for $200, but if sold before he is ' made,' ho
will not bring so much. Farmers, as a general thing, do not ' make ' hunters, but when in
their prime there is no difficulty in obtaining from $200 to $250 apiece for good heavy weight-
carrying horses of this kind. I would advise farmers to breed from heavy horses if they wish
to make money. "
Major Peters, A London, is also apparently disposed to encourage the breeding
of some such hor&e, when be says : —
"The Irish hunter is got, I think, from a thoroughbred cross on a carriage mare. The
English hunter is got in much the same way, but it is a finer breed.
"I would recommend a good thoroughbred stallion, that would weigh at least 1 200
pounds, and stands not less than sixteen hands high, to cross on the common Canadian niares.
That would produoe a serviceable horse, both for speed and strength, and would export well.
"T have sold some very valuable horses, bred from thoroughbred horses on good carriage
mares. 1 had a mare got from a cross or. the Royal George. I put hjr to a thoroughbred,
and I sold the coit for $'600. Tiie highest price I ever got for it span of carriage horses was
$550. Yoang stock of that class would not sell at all ; they must be kept to a certain age.
If a person was breeding a certain class of horses and got up his name for them, it would pay
him well to have an annual sale."
HORSE BREEDING— A RACE OF PONIES.
371
The field for action m this respect is a wide one, and enough has probably been
aaid to direct attention into certain remunerative channels, and to utilize all the
several classes of horses previously described. The farmer, if he attempts horse
breeding, should make it a rule to breed for a distinct purpose,— to bring together
no incongruous elements,— to use no horse that is not thoroughbred, or capable of
transmitting the characteristics of a distinct breed, and to be content with nothing
less than the best of its kind. By this means a superior description of every class
^lA be identified with the horse-breeding interest of Ontario, whether it be the
aJ7 draught, the general purpose or roadster, the park horse or the hunter and
saddle horse. The standard of value for Canadian horses generally will bo raised
with the pr^gsibihty at times of large prices being obtained for those possessing
speed, or form, in a more than usually marked degree.
One point of no little importance deserves attention, and that is the perpetua-
tion of the several breeds of families of horses that are to be found in Canada at the
present time as distinguished from the imported classes. Dr. McMonagle suggests
as one means to this end in the case of the Clear Grit family, tha,t it should be
crossed with the Royal Georges and Hambletonians, with the view of obtaining
horses that could be used to continue, retain, and transmit the valuable qualities of
Dr. McMonagle says : —
t»,« '^'''^^S^^*'" ^"* K^il^' ^,T '''^ continuation and retention, should be at once crossed with
the Koyal Georges and the Hambletonians. Clear Grit is doin? stud service yet, and to
w1.1 "*T ^^P""^^!^ a«^ inheritance, he should be coupled with such a brood mare as
wi!!ui /^""*® Ryadyk, whose sire and dam are both by the great trotting sire, Rysdyk's
™.^^Ki»i'""*^; One, or two or three male progeny of such a lineage would confer incom-
putable benehts upon future Canadians."
Mr. Williams says on this point : —
^.J.'J^KuT\P^^^'' ^"*' ", ? wonderful foal-getter himself, and I think his progeny
•rosaed with the Massengers would produce a horse as near perfection in the way of a road-
ster as it would be possible to obtain. j «u
to traSl^fMf T'"\*K-"^^ * J-?''^.uP^!;^f°* '■^°°. "^ ti-otters, are, very many of them, inclined
rafhTf •^^V°^2?%*'®''''iu' 7ru^^^^ ^^^*' ^"^^ ^"'' *h« set of tapidist generally travel
rather too wide behind, so that I believe a cross betv.een the two would produce a hors* whosS
nincl feet in speeding would just clear his front ones on the outside, and would do away with
the necessity for ahin boots, toe weights and all that sort of thing."
A BACE OF PONIES.
• ^^^^ ^^^lr°^ *^® interesting items of information imparted to the Commis-
sion by Dr. McMonagle was the history of a race of ponies planfed on this conti-
nent, and useful for children or light-draught purposes. Dr. McMonagle c-ays :—
knnw1«n^T«!^ " ^^^'fe/'^ Ponies called the Chincoteague. Their origin is beyo^nd the present
'SS*"*!?! 1*"- J^^'^ are two islands in the Atlantic, oflF the coast of Maryland and
fn 1^1 • '''^J^'^Se': being called Chincoteague, and the other Assoteague. The ponies were
fir-?lf"?^" '^^-^ ''^*"'^' y^r ^^^l ^^'^ originally discovered. Tradition has it that the
first of the ponies swam in from the sea. They have been there more than two hundred
years, runnmg at large winter and summer. The owners, once a year, drive them into a nen
and mark t.em, so as to aistinguish „neir own. They'are about thirteen han^s high -^are
ttu L'''%r^ ^^'^^* ' "" ri°.r *"■" ^r^' b^y- brown, black, and pale sorrel ; have no white
markings; their manes and tails are full; they have no fetlock hair; their fore lej are
straight at the knees; their hind legs are crooked, the hocks convergi^ ^nd the toes pofntrns
f,ur7'^ ' their legs are clean and hard, and th.ir feet round, with", pen heels In 1670 the
ivlnfn Jr ^"^ P-Tj?^*^*!' ^* ^"^ subseouently granted by Jame. II. to one person, and
HdS'^Tnli^'tf 1 -'^*P'-f«°tKend;i Jester holds 600 acres, and others have arge
i«i„7 Tvil • began to be settled, and now there are about twenty-six houses on the
&;„^ P^T *"■* the essential pony of the United States. They are larger than the
Shet and pony, and are used for child en to drive, and for light-draught purposes As a
STv^Ta^^^lT^^'i^
them years ago, and took them to Illinois. There are none of them in Canada."
h ['
hh
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ity
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11::
372
ONTARIO AORICULTUEAL COMMISSION.
COST OF KAIStKO A COLT.
Whether horae-breeding is profitable or not to the farmer will depend partly
on the return he is able to obtain from the gervices of the horsei he raiaei, and
largely, of course, on the prices he is able to command for them. Dr. McMonagle
puts the cost as under :—
"I buy everything in raising my horses, and I have kept accurate aeoounta of the ex-
pense incurred in raising different oolts. The following in an estimate of the coat of raising
a three-year-old colt :— In February it costs J50 to get the mare with foal ; f 28 to keep her
until the next spring when she foals ; $20 for the pasture of the mare and the colt until the
19th of October, when I generally put them in, when the colt is ready to be weaned ; $17 to
keep the colt until the next spring, when it is a yearling ; and 9'M a year for the next two
J ears. That makes a total of $183 to bring the colt to the age of three years, and my colt,
udge James, by Rysdyk, dam by Field's Royal George, 1 believe, with proper handling, is
worth $10,000 for speed purposes alone."
In this case it will be seen : (1) That the price paid for service implies the ex-
pectation that the colt will be one of more than usual value ; and, (2) that the
witness buys everything at market rates.
Mr. Wiser, who has, as already mentioned, a farm and all the facilities that im-
plies, puts the cost of a colt at three years as follows : —
"As to the colt, I make the estimate upon a little different basis from that which most
farmers would adopt in raising a horse. I make the cost of raising a good colt for general
purposes or agriculture, or as a roadster or trotter, $71.90, when it is three years old. I first
put in the service of the horse, $10 ; keeping the colt till one year old, 20 bushels of oats, hay,
say $10. It is supposed to be running with its mother till it is five months old, and up to
that time I make no charge for its keeping, but I think $10 would be a fair figure. At two
years old I would add 30 bushels of oats at 33 cents, which would be $9.90, pasture $6.50, H
tons of hay at $6, $7.50. At three years old the hay would be li tons, pasture would be
$7.50, and 35 bushels of oats, $11.50 ; in all $71.90.
" That colt should sell for $100, with the chance that it may be worth $500 or $1,000,
and Bometunes you will strike one that is worth from $4,000 to $10,000 if bred in this manner."
Mr. Wiser evidently comes nearer to the level of the ordinary farmer's er-pe-
rience.
Mr. Patteson does not hold out much prospect of profit on horse breeding as a
business generally. He says : —
"I think horse raising, except for farm purposes, is not generally profitable. I hold that
by the time a horse is five years old, before which time you cannot, as a rule, seil him, he has
cost as much as can be got for him. About 5 per cent, of the horses now raised and sold a
little more than pay for their breeding ; of the remainder, 25 per cent, may just cover outlay,
and 75 per cent, fail to do so.
"It depends very much upon the class of horse what it costs to bring him to maturity.
There ate some breeds capable of earning their keep at two years old, especially well-bred
Clydes. The breeding of a farm honte does not therefore cost so much as that of a carriage
horse. By the time a hunter or carriage horse has reached maturity he will have cost his
breeder as much as he will get for him, and consequently he will have to look to the animal's
manure and the incidental services he may have got out of him for his profit. It would not
pay the exporter to give more than $150 to $175 for the animal, and it will have cost his
breeder every cent of it to raise, break, »nd bring him to market. An animal in this country
at five years old is no more matured and seasoned than an English four-year-old. Keep and
climate account for that.
" It would pay the farmer to treat his colts better ; there would then be less risk and loss
than there is."
Mr. Beith, who chiefly raises heavy horses of the Clyde stamp, says : —
"There is no reason why it should not be profitable to raise the heavy horses I have
mentioned. For the eighteen months ending last March $45,000 worth of this clasa of horse*
have been sold out of this country, and at the present there is a demand which we cannot
supply.
" A horse of the large breed of which I was speaking would pay for its raising at three
years old. It is better to break them lu gently al Uiut age. Morses which seii at three years
of age for about $150 or $200 would cost about $100 to raise. I have gone into pretty cloi*
calculations on that point. I take into account the cost of the stallion's services."
EOMSB BREEDINQ-AOB FOR B DING MABES.
373
AOB POR BREEDING S .
M^Tm^^^ • ^ J° ^^"^ ^*'"® ,'^ ^°"'' yea"-, .e.8 than four. "
Mr. Tumim gives his views on this point ,w follows •—
four'to .Tx"U™'of ati^^ P"S*« *^«,^™« '- t^e first time when from
M little danger in ^.yin,': ZlfC^l^t l^'At^^^ ai^S'eLV? ^"* *'°"*
Mr. Wiser says : —
.hould\?k^e;rf?om\t\Vrs^^^^^^^
ir ^^'I'^K^-dmany t;o%"eti&ra^dsodroX^^^^^^ A go'cil^lToiddo'ilnr' T"
the mare had been treated. If she waa « iranH Bti-n^.; «r«ii / i ? "*" depend on how
I should have no hesitation in puttinKher tA horsf ' I J; nnkfelT" *L*^°. ^'".' "^^
a breeder, and I have seen as g^ood JtXm thre'Tear ol<S°a^''iomS;*orri^^^5'" '^'"
Mr. Patteson gave as his opinion that a mare should breed
Mr. Andrew Smith says : —
.+ J^ « iraportant that care should be taken in regard to the horse used to a m*V«
bred bre^^in'gToVufh'e; firsTtf ^^^^^^^^
typeS 'thTbtediLt'Jrth a'^ce^tr'idnil o^hor^.V''V^n'?'1%rvV'^«^ ^^'^ « -"-t-n
a generation or two. 1 ^ not know that I onnlH^tnU^^ ^ thi^k would affect at least
breeders know it to be a fact vZ ;„«fi;„» t ^,5*" *.*'i^°" »«'entific principles, though
breeding to my Hambletonian horfe t^e Wf cZ?}^ °"* **\l''"t "^ °7 '»*'«« *»^** I »"»
purposes, and^t her to a ClySdA^trinttC *-">"*
f-^kirn f} ^""l ^^'r °' ^^"'^ "^'*"*^^ ^'^f^^-e th« birth of the colt Ma?es when
suckling colts, should never be over-driven in any case. '
TREATMENT OF COLTS.
On this subject Mr. Wiser says : —
■H
it
• t L
ll
i h
is
374
ONTABTO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
"Many farmers say that the colt should never eat a grain of oats till it is three years old.
A colt raised in that way will stand perhaps 12 or 13 hands high at one year old and wei!,rh
500 pounds, whereas if you rais-e him in the proper way he will be 14 or 15 hands high and weigh
about 900 pounds. It is a great mistake to suppose that oats are an injury to a colt. It is
very seldonCthat a colt gets tired of oats in their natural Btate, but they relish a change ot
food I would give them carrots occasionally, though I do not think much of them. Some
give colts bran, but I do not think it is much good, if they have plenty of oats.
"The treatment I sp-ak of would apply throughout the hrst winter. They should eat,
the first winter, at least four quarts of oats a day, two quarts in the morning and tw> at
niffht When they get a little older they should have a couple of quarts at noon. Ihey
should have all the hay they can eat, but they should not be tied up '"/**"«• .-«"X
never get good horses by breeding colts in the old-fashioned way of turning them out into the
barn-yard or sheds in the cold winter weather. I would not tie up colts the first winter at all.
They need all the exercise they can get, and it is unnatural to tie them. The longer you can
keep a horse from tying him the better, and it would be best of a 1 if horses were always kept
in roomy boxes. They would rest better, move around easily, and roll over when they wished,
but of course it is not always practicable to give them such boxes."
Dr. McMonagle says : —
" A colt should be weaned at five months. The first winter it should he fed with all the
hav and oats it can eat, and kept perfectly warm. // is a mistake not to feed colts plenty of
^l itis nUrogenous food, and gives them pknty of flesh Old cut hay is not so good as hay
that'is cut while it is green and new. Com and soft feed, such as turnips and carrots, are not
nearly so good for nourishing them, and giving them endurance and vim, as hay and oats, and
they will grow thirty per cent, more on the one kind than on the other Probably once a
week I would give them about a teaspoonf ul ot saltpetre with a little wheat bran mash. There
h no greater mistake than to water a horse directly after he eats his feed His stomach is
small ind any feed that he eats before you give him his drink will be washed through undi-
^Tsted The proper way is to water him an hour or so before you feed him his gram. Colts
do a great deal better with ground oats than with unground ; the agitation of the mouth pro-
duces a certain amount of saliva that aids digestion. I have always kept my colts tied in
their boxes."
^ Mr. Patteson gives his opinion as follows :—
"I do not think a colt should be shut up alone until it is at least three months old.
Sometimes the mare is taken out to work and the foal left behind in a box, but I do not thirtk
thU advisable, because it limits the opportunities of the foal to suck his dam. From the na-
ture of a foal's stomach and digestive organs, I should say that he ought to have constant
Scess to his mother until he is three months old and begins to pick grass. A colt should be
weaned at about thT age of five months. ' , ., ™. . ^^i u j i • i.
weanm at a » ^^^ ^^^ ^ j, j j^ .^^ ^^ ^^^^^ ^^^ ^nd if suffciently bred to warrant
the expeS a colt, for the first winter, should be fed on 'kibbled -that is, steamed or
crusheHoats, at the rate of about four quarts a day. I prefer oats treated m this way to
oats in thek natural condition ; I have tried both ways, and I find, as a rule that the colts
are fitter and plumper if fed on either crushed or ' kibbled ' oats. Besides this, bran, hay,
and carrots are > be given in moderate quantities, with constant access to water.
'•I would tie young horses, and allow them to run loose, alternately. The sooner you
oan halter-break a young horse the better for all purposes, but J would not keep him always
iTthe halter and very little m the stall. I would tie him in a loose box occasionally, at
other times allow him to run in it."
RACKS AND STALLS.
With regard to stalls and racks, Mr. Wiser says : —
" Great care should be exercised in making box-stalls to have the edges of the upright
'A tttl r,W« of entrance and exit rounded so that an animal will not be liable to strike
aipbt'eraTdfnfur\'tfroU%'nd it be of sufficient height to prevent his striking
*'^ ^«l^'l';1aL'up"o^^^^^^^^^^^ is fed from a hay-loft down. The
«tock is all fed from off the tloor,^and all dust and hay-seed are kept from thein as much as
stock 8 all tea irom m v , ^^^ ^^^ ^^ ^^^^ ^^^ j^^^gj ^^ one
Ser of tlfe^S^adju t d aKth"ee feet six^nches from the floor The box is made
wTth such an edge on the inside as will prevent a horse from rooting out his oats and scatter-
S them over the floor. With such iron concave rimmed boxes it is utterly impossible to
throw oats out of the box in eating."
T,irjx|. ^g„„^ t/- rh" T,.,mV,or nf aflrviofls a stallion should be allowed to render in
a se'ason orSnions somewhat yary. Dr. McMonagle thinks eighty sufficient. He
hasThighbred horse in his mind. Mr. Wiser suggests fifty or sixty for a tho-
:
POULTRY *A^VD EGG8. 3^5
roughbred or Iiigh-bred horse, and perhaps one hundred for a Clyde Mr Paf f P«nn
argues that, however much excessive use may injure the stallion Tf .}Zl' Lf T.
dr'eX?;'' '"^ ^""l^ *' hi» potency lasts. prev'ent'E f' om g £ It "Mr^Au'
drew Smitn, speaking with professional authority, say* •— °
were put to a great m^v Lw^ and ^IfW^r/.? "^- . ^ ^f''® ^""'''." ''^^^^ ^^ere horses
them were weakly, ev^wLreW^e mL J w3^^^ got quite a number of foals, many of
tain extent, ovei^ona A ho«e out tHn oHi^^rf'n^'"i^''"^^ ^^"^r^ ^«'»«' *« ^ c^"-
percentage'of foal, than where he^?s put to too man v T^t'/ "".T" 7'",^^? * ™"°^ l^^^^*"
effect on the horse ia to make him Kln\tnTooc"asionJr/fc1^ '" ^--"'<' ^^e
hors-SLseTf^etn:^!^^^^^^^^^^^^^
CHAPTER XL
POULTEY AND EGGS.
should the creamery become as popular as the cheese factory a f^rthlr r«i !f 7^'
the rather arduous labours of the dairy may enable the tivJf«nH^L'®^^''°™ ■•
several breeds more particularly commended by the witnesse! and Zir ^.o ■ 1
Jame. FuUetton, of th, C„«««a„ i'i^fei'^- ' "' Doncaster, York ; and Mr.
THE DORKINGS.
Mr. Doel is a warm admirer of the Dorkings. He says •—
is laZ'th'Tttthf JoTrS "Zr ^^^^^^^ Sa^f^X" " f% ""'^^^ P-''-?; ^^
for ihitb^r tTe'&tr* D^^^^^^^^^ ^''«"T *°^r^-^'-
IS quite equal to the Dorking in oualitv or nprhln« m. ,f r ^! «^f "«»* ^esh. the Cxame
Game is that you caS leepYo £nv (ff^^^^ delicate; but the trouble with the
Brahma, in flavour and Salitjf is veTneaSy^Lot i '"^^^^^^^^^^ T. T T^°'^H'u J^'
of the Cochin is too coarse an/atringy to make it suiUhl^ • whi X^^^ I)orking. The flesh
the keeping of fowls as a business YshoZLlviha n t- ^^^ ^^^''' ^^} T"^'^ S^'''"^ »"*«
the Dorkini or some other b^^rbu? I^erthe Sfrk^nf "^ "' " """' °' '''' ^^^'^'"'^ ^^
Ine cross of f-.h« ■Rrjiihmo -nA fV,« n„_i-; -n .•** . .
^^^ ana wUh ,„o„-fl..»-„i::.l t and Sen* SSr^ffin".™:;! '^^'Ir .t
Itl
376
ONTARIO AGBIUULTUBAL COMMISSION.
POULTRY AND EOQS.
377
As to the mode of breeding the Brahma and Doiking, Mr. Doel says : —
" In breeding fowls I find that the cross generally receives its type from the male. If I
were breeding and crossing the Brahma and the Dorking, one year I should commence by
crossing a Brahma cock and a Dorking hen ; then in two years I should cross a Dorking cuck
and a Dorking- Prahma hen ; and every two years I would cross in some full-bred cock, like
the Houdan. I should rule out the Cochin entirely, on account of the inferior quality of its'
flesh. Under all circumstances I would always use a pure male bird, and never take a cross
except one which has been bred for a number of years, and had become a very good type."
A want of hardiness is sometimes alleged as a defect in the Dorking ; but Mr.
Doel finds that, by allowing them to run out in all sorts of weather, they become
as hardy as any other fowl. Nor has he found the crossing of the Dorking and the
Brahma diminish the hardiness of the cross.
As to the size that may be attained by the union of the Brahma and the Dork-
ing, Mr. Doel says : —
"Some time ago I gave acme eggs from the cross of a Brahma cock and a Dorking hen»
to a friend of mine, and she obtained from them a cockerel which was killed in the fall, and
before it was picked it weighed nearly fourteen pounds. That was a bird that was worth
something for the table, although it was an exception. A fair average of the weight of such
a cross would be nine or ten pounds for the cocks, and six or seven pounds for the pullets,
live weight, or about .,ight pounds for the cocks, and five pounds for pullets, dead weight.
And then they come in earlier for the table than the full-bred Asiatic. They are improved in
size, while the quality of the Dorking is not deteriorated in the cross."
Mr.' James Anderson, of Puslinch, regards the Dorkings or the Plymouth Rocks
as the finest table-birds in the list, although the Brahmas make the best mothers.
Mr. John Plummer, of I(Ondon, on the other hand, has not found the Dorkings
superior to other fowls for table purposes. He admits they fatten easily, but
asserts they do not grow large. Their eggs, however, he says, have a fine flavour,
and their meat is good.
THE LIGHT AND DARK BRAHMAS.
The Dark Brahmas are preferred by Mr. Doel, but the Light Brahmas are the
choice of Mr. John Plummer. He says : —
" I tried twenty-eight varieties of fowls and ducks together, and out of the different
varieties of fowls I selected the Light Brahmas. Living in the city, and having small yards
or gardens, I required fowls that would not only be profitablo, but that would stand confine-
ment and not trouble my neighbours, and those qualities I found in the Light Brahmas.
"If I were in the country, or had a farm, I would cross them with the Games, which
would make a hardier fowl, and one that would forage more for itself, while at the same
time it would be as good a layer and better for the table, though not quite so large.
" The White Brahmas are good setters as well as layers, and for those who wish to raise
poultry extensively they are good fowls. '
"I would cross them with the Game for raising chickens. If the Dorkings are crossed
withHhe Game, the result is a good fowl. Poultry-raising, if properly conducted, is a profit-
able business. The cross of the Light Brahma and the Game would suit our climate best."
Of the croHt between the Brahma and Game, Mr. Wilson says : —
'The Brahma and Game make a good cross. The Game puts life into the Brahma.
The
Brahma is a dull fowl ; it lays large eggs, but not many of them."
The quality which gives the Game fowl cross its merit in Mr. Plummer's eyes
detracts from its value in the view of Mr Doel, who says : —
"The objection to crossing the Game is, that it makes the fowls so pugnacious that you
cannot keep many of them together ; that is the only objection I have to the Game. The
Game is a hardy fowl, but I don't think it imparts hardiness to the birds, or helps them to
resist the climate."
Mr. James Anderson, who looks at the question of poultry -keeping as a farmer,
says : —
" The Light Brahmas are the best, taken altogether. The White Leghorns are the best
layers, liui they won't sit at all. . . . But the Brahmas make the best mothers. I hatch
all my duck-eggs, etc., with them. The Light Brahmas. are the best poultry for this country.
. . . Th.? best breeder is the Brahma. A cross between a Brahma and a White Leghorn
makes an excellent fowl, as the Leghorns are the finest layers in the world. I have kept
Game fowls also, but they are too pugnacious. Brahmas are the breed that are usually fat-
25
In , .
378
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
M
tened for ChriBtmas, becauae they are the heaviest ; I have got them to weigh ai high »»
eighteen poiuuiH per pair dressed. The Brahma comes very early to maturity, and produces
a large chicken ; but I think the Dorking is the plumpest fowl for the table."
In answer to further questions, Mr. Anderson says : —
''I would advise the ordinary farmers of the Province to use the Dorkings or the Brah-
8 for the table, and thn Lnchnma nr Wa.nV Hnitniah fr»> lavinrr rMi>..>r.i>aii . Knf ftia n»nt.^„„
mas for the table, and the Leghorns or Black Spanish for laying purposes , „.
are splendid layers through the winter, when you cannot get the Leghorns or Black Spanish
but the Brahmas
- "". •oj'Dio biiiuuKii uiio wuiMjr, wiieu you cannot gei line ijegnorns or uiacK opanisn
to lay. If you only feed the scraps to the Brahmas, andf keep them in a moderately warm
place, they will lay all winter.
''I use the Brahma hens alone for sitting purposes, because they are so much better
mothers than any other breeds, and are so large that they will cover three or four more eggs
than any other breed. "
THE HOUDANS — P0LAND8 — BLACK SPANISH.
"The Houdana, the Polands, and the Black Spanish fowls are not adapted for general
use, because they are non-sitters and are not good table fowls. For general use, we must
have a fowl that will sit as \/ell as lay. The Houdan and other non-sitters, we find, lay a
largernumber of eggs than the fowls that sit, for one reason that their time is not taken up
with sittmg. Of sitting fowls, I suppose that the Brahmas are the best layers we have. The
Brahma, crossed upon the Black Spanish or the Poland, makes a very good fowl, preferable
to a cross on the Hamburg, which I consider too small a fowl for general purposes. The flesh
of non-sittiiig birds lacks the substance and flavour that we find in the Aesh of sitting birds.
in
raw
II
LIOHT BBAHMAS.
POULTRY AND EGGS.
379
1} i
r: '|i:ii
!;;iDiiilli'"'
"IHB™
,ru«,w:- If!
'J'1'.ll
i^pi^-"" W^P^
DABE BBAHMAS.
-ll
i'-rii
,i:' ■■ '
380
ONTAIilO AGEICULTUBAL COMMISSION.
JttlnJ bhl a nrni f ''? ^^'^ non-sitters are more inveterate Hitters than even the full-bred
slttiijK bii tl8 -a cro8>i, for instance, of (,ne of the Asiatici with the Black Spanish. lijTiS
«f .. A navt exi)erimento(l in croHHinff the different breedn, and have found that the be«t^o8«
?rertrS:Lrinrte'^Dtag>'^'^ '-''' *'^« """^ °^ ''^^ ^'**>'"^ -'^ *»>« sinistbuH
THE PtYMOCTH ROCKS.
«nf '^''k yVf"'°^*''T? «r? """^ ^A""^ >'"®?'^' **'''•'■ ""«'" ^®'"« '•ather a matter of dis-
pute, but Mr. D. D. Wilson, of Seaforth, expresses the belief that they oriKJnated
in a cross between a single-combed Dominique cock, and Black Java hens Mr
Wilson says : — ■ «.
"The Plymouth Rock is a good layer; it lays a large egsi, with a stronir durable Hh«.11
Mr. Doel remarks of these birds : —
.. n„lT»! Plymouth Rock promises to be a very good fowl, but It will not suit the farmer for
a number of years, as it can hardly be called a fixed breed yet. The farmer looks to have
both a good fowl and a good-looking fowl. The Plymouth Rock has beenacross until late
Sl'isWl br^? "o* ^.e^". bred sufficientlv long ^r with sufficient care to make ifyet ^
established breed, so that it may be depended upon. It will do very well to use for orossinS
puriwses, like anv other common fowl, because wLen fowls are once crossed, they are noth m
but common fowls, although some of them make better layew.than many full-bred fowb."^
THE COCHINS.
Mr. Doel dismisses the Cochin with the remark that " its flesh is too coarse and
Btringy to make it acceptable for the table." The Cochins too, as well as the
>^^-^.
v.;%:;vv,V
.V'
^^d@
PLYMOUTH ROCKS.
POULTRY AND EQOS.
381
If.
la full-bred
I best cross
nish, but I
;er of dis-
•riginated
ns. Mr.
ablo Hhell,
cared for,
farmer for
ks to have
until late
it yet an
»r oroRsing
:e nothing
owls,"
tarse and
11 as the
'^
vVI&^
.^■'
t
I'
m
BBOWN LEGHOBNS.
88a
ONTABIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
S^Tl'll^ff" *?Tif •" *'"'"•' t" iwrfootion than the Dorkingi, nor except that Mr
Slim allude, to their egg. a. being of a large .ize, doe. any other witie.. farou;
▲ NEW VARIETY.
Mr. Doel menUon. a new variety known a. the Lang.han. He My. :—
are WinnTnl%*„M *?' P""'f'' "?''', ^'.^ ,'>"'5<' ''l»*'"«'' '•^'"' *"V breed we have, and they
frnpS i tr o ^r thl nlfL'*''^*''/ In Knjtland. I wa« Koi„K to breed them thin* year. a«fl
me^- I have retalZl ?h«'n.J^ W^V ^ "'" ^"7^.,^^^ V""^ **'« *^^" »"»"• ^"^e ntolen from
18 POtJlTRY- KEEPING PROFITABLE?
Mr.^°„ffS"j^r°„;r'L7'r„r-'' '° "■" "'""■ ■" ■""""■^■""-p'^ » '"—bi-
♦« k!' ^ ^*^' not kept very cloge account of the profits of keepimr poultrv but I have fonn,l If
Ihe f>o„U^ T'^ investment. For inntance. thin year I h<nStTpaif of Touloune Ses^it
which fc7n8eTattta'n.rr r?V"l''''^'-fi1?' ?T' '^"^ wh4 I hatched XX^^^^
breedinVpurn!meH* bS it ^ fJJ ^i^t^ ^^'T *'" "'.' ^*"r ^hat would be if I sold them for
^h^^-harb^inTi^riL^^^
Mr. John Plummer mya : — '
Mr. Wilson aay. : —
cLd^ui^roJfrrrthf^/ififwW^^^^^^
ducing qualities in a fowl." * P^''^''^'^' **> combine both egg and meat pro-
In most situations, the fanner will find it expedient to keep fowls that will
rJond Ini'T^r w^ ^'^*^i'y "^ ""PP^y'"« * f^i^ ""™ber of eggsTithThat^beT^i
a good table fowl. Where, however, the demand for eggs is the first considerati
and^Ltrmetmlf?^^^^^^
a'sTor S-fteSr ^^ ^^^ -^^^«^^-' ar^cervyfifsttlfnt
He has been engaged in .he business for thirteen years ; keeps eight or tfln
teams constantly employed coHcctirg the eggs from the Lunt;y storekeepers aJd
fr^irr^^ '''*'"^ *"^ r I'- ^ 'hem. ships his stock to Lw ?ork.^ lA thts
trade he turns over seven and i ■ r vniUn ..^ ofegga annually in barrels each hold
ingserenty dozen eggs. Th, .o-at } ios paid last year was n^ecen's a dozen
^ ^.i^f!^J^^.^--^-'f: ten ^ntsbei^ the aveS^: ^^^tS^sJ^S
. ... ................. ,, „„,ny uu irom ...arch to tlxe lali, tiie largest shipments being as the
POULTRY AND BOOS,
383
Ai tu the demand and the causei affecting it, Mr.
autumn montha approach.
Wilaon wya : —
' ' The deiiian.l for e(rg» In the New York market l» pnwtlcally nnHmited. Th«r« U »] wayi
a demand for a certain qiiantity, hut if your nupply excee.U that quantity, of «»u"|« th« iiritM
ffoeii d.iwn, and aa the prico droim the wmiiumptlon luci<?iwe». Duriag June, New York
dependu IftrKely on (Janada f<»r itn iupplv of eKgii. while In January and Febrii.»ry, before the
hens IwKtn to fay in the north, ItH Huppfy coineH from the south, and as the weather becomo*
hot, the iupply from the south breakn off altoKethfr.
" In the south the hens are prolific when our »re doing nothing, while ours art proHHo
when those In the south are dolnt( nothing, and one reason why I clear out my stock in No-
vember U, that If I keep it, 1 would have to face the southern com|»etition, which b<«in« alnjut
the middle of December. The supplies from the south are very large. In the bjjgmnlug of
October, not only here, but all through the Unite«l HUtes, the hens begin to moult, and con-
sequently there is little or no egg pro«luctlon about December. I think hens, under the same
circumstances, mouit at pretty much the same perio<l of the year."
The larger the ngn the better is the price obtained. With Great Britain the
egg trade i" sinall at present, Cana<lian eggs there corning into active competition
with the 1 1 jnch eggs. The cost of freight, however, is trifling, less than two cents
a dozen, while a^out one cent per dozen will carry them— by the car load— to New
York. In the event of a trade being opened with England, claBsitication of the
egp" n regard to size, would be necessary. Wlien able to got it, the material used
for packing the eggs is oat shells. The eggs, while in store, are mostly all kept in
a picklo the exact composition of which is a trade secret, but the main ingredient is
lime. The effect is somewliat to thicken and harden the shells ; the preservation of
the contents is perfect. As the strength of the egg is of some importance, fowls
should liave access to sand and lime.
INCUBATORS.
At present the use of the incubator in Canada has nlit extended to the ordinary
practical operations of the farmer or poultry-keeper. Mr. Doel, who, on the whole,
fooka rather favourably on it, says : —
"An Incubator could be watched and attended to very well by women and girls; if a
farmer's wife gave as much attention to the incubator as she now does to the dairy, she would
reap more advantage. The incubator requires constant attention, and very few persons, un-
less they make it a special business, will give it proiMjr attention. It ia after the chickens are
hatched that they require the most attention, because they have not their natural mother to
attend to them, and to assist them in searching for their food, and to give them gufhcient
warmth when very young. . . . , , ^l » « i.i. *
" I do not think as yet, however, it would be advisable for the farmers of the country
generally to use the incubator. It might be used with advantage if one were estabhshed in a
centre, in the charge of a person who made a special business of hatching for the surrounding
farmers. They are using it in that way in England and in France. The peopie bring their
eggs to the incubators, and in two or three days after they are hatched, they come and take
away their chickens and the eggs that do not hatch. ... I have no doubt if a person made
a business of it, he could supply a very large city with half-grown chickens for the table, and
make it pay very well."
HEA1THINB88 OP POULTRY.
There does not seem to be any practical difficulty in the way of the poultry
farmer in Orttario. A moderately warm house in winter is all that is necessary,
vi-h perhaps a little meat and some warm condiment as winter feed. The Asiatic
species— Brahmas and Cochins— are said to be more delicate than others ; but a
moderate amount of care only will probably be required in their management to
avoid ordinary casualties in the winter season. • • n,
Mr. Doel, however, calls attention to a disease, similar to consumption m t^e
human subject in its effects, and which he regards as requiring investigation. He
"It would be a great benefit to the country if we could get the members of the different
Poultry Associations to combine for the purpose of doing something with regard to general
diseases of poultry. The Ontario Poultry Association is assisted by Government, if the
Board of the Association would consent to pay a person to examine diseased birds, jt wouia be
an excellent thing for the country, because there are many birds which die annuaUy and no-^
body knows what is the mattei with them, and there arc very lev.- t-evpie w..o c".-'.,.. ..-.arn Dy
hi
5 i
m
m
I',
384
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
A«S?'"^ examining a bird themselves. The difficulty is that we cannot induce anv of th*
Associations to go to tie expense of having birds examined scientifically." ^ *'
«o imri!l?lT^ ^""a^I- '° .T^^"" ^^'''^^'J ^^ delegated a duty an association of persons
be S nn« n ^.r^ directly mterested is unwilling to assume. It would appeal ?o
a bid ^""^^ °° constitute the reason for the existence of such
Mr. Doel also makes the following suggestions ; —
" '^^^ various poultry exhibitions should be largely patronized by the nublic as th«v a,.»
doing a great deal for the country. I would also Itrongly recommeL thaTpr z^s be o¥ered
at the various leading exhibitions for 'Dead Poultry,' prepared ready for market therebv
encouraging farmers and others to prepare their poultl^ i^ some proper mannTr to LetherJ^
l^M f PP1f,'*»^« J f^'^.^r* they got up with some appearance and tastrmuch better Dricf,
would H obtained, and the public would willingly pay better prices • as it is not nrl f^^^i •
ten looks hardly fit for the t ble ^.iien offered for sale prepare<f(?) for' maJket" ' '"
GAME BANTAMS.
CHAPTER XII. «
SALT IN CONNECTION WITH AGRICULTUEE.
So far as legislation is concerned, the manufacture of salt does not come within
the scope of the authority under which the Commissioners have been acSng and
for obvious reasons, they have been extremely desirous in no case to trave feyond
the 1 mits of the powers confided to them, or to interfere with interests with Xch
they have had no egitimate concern. But salt enters so largely into thT budness
of^the agriculturist, either for dairying purposes or as a fertilize? of the soU. that it
stands ma somewhat different position from other me ufacturing industries
f»,/p ""de'^t^kmg an inquiry into the uses of salt in connection rith agriculture
the ComimssionerB had especially in view to ascertain whether there ^were an'
obstacles to the use of the native product, and whether, if such exisred theJ
originated m any inherent defect or inferiority in point of quality. S in causes
that were witMn the control of the niRnufactur--' """/» "^ *" causes
The subject was brought very prominentlylo their notice by a member of the
Commission-Mr. Richard Gibson-who, as already mentioned, viSteS Great
SALT IN CONNECTION WITH AGRICULTURE. 386
f^y^ri Iv ?® '"''^'^c ""^ '*'^ "ummer. When at Liverpool, Mr. Gibson inspected
tne establishment of some dealers doing a considerable business in American and
Canadian products. Pointing to a quantity of butter in the warehouse, one of the
partners remarked, " You must use fine English salt. Your American and Cana-
dian will not do if you wish a share of this trade." It may be remarked that the
speaker was not an Englishman, but an American, and therefore was not likely to
be possessed with any English prejudices in favour of English salt.
It 18 never pleasant to give public utterance to unpalatable facts, especially
when, by so doing, large interests may, presumably, be injuriously aifected ; but.
atter ail, the plain octspoken truth is in the end most to the advantage of every-
fened to "^ ^° ^^^^ *^** *^^*^™ proved more true than in the instance re-
r.y}ll *^n ^"i- P^*f ' 1* ^^fi'i *he question in the minds of the Commissioners,
whether Canadian butter was prejudiced by Canadian salt being used in its manu-
facture ; and m the next, it suggested to them that, if an injustice were being done
to a great Canadian industry, they would not incur censure or blame even if they
traveUed a little beyond the hmits of their programme in order to ascertain how
such a prejudice could be rer loved.
Nor was this the only r£«.9on why such an investigation was desirable. A com-
munication was received by the Commissioners from Messrs. Wm. Davies & Co.. of
loronto, in which it was alleged that their firm, the largest porkpackers probably
m Canada, and already mentioned in connection with the trade in hogs, had been
compelled to relinquish the use of Canadian salt in consequence of a sliminess
appearing upoa the bacon which they had shipped to Europe.
It was also well known that, in the min^s of some leading cheese manufacturers
ot western Ontario an opinion existed unfavourable to the use of Canadian salt in
the manufacture of cheese Mr. BaUantyne, M.P.P., one of the Commissioners,
had made in 1876 and 1877 a great many experiments with the Huron salt^nd
the English factory-filled salt ; he had used Higgins' brand of the English salt in a
trial with the native article, and after several tests, made at different times, but
under equal conditions in every respect, the result was decidedly iA favour of
J^nglish salt. Under these circumstances, the Commissioners decided that some of
their number should visit the Hu^pn salt manufacturing district, and there invite
the attendance, not only of salt manufacturers but of other persons in Huron or the
surrounding counties by whom Canadian salt was likely to have been used in con-
nection either with cheese or butter-making, as well as farmers who had applied it
as a manurial agent. ^ ^
In addition to this arrangement, every opportunity was taken at other meetings
to ascertain the views of witnesses as to the value or quality of Canadian salt in
SS "^^^^^ branches and departments of agriculture already men-
The Commissioners are glad to be able to state that the result of these inquiries
been eminently satisfactory. They have no hesitation in giving it as their
unqualified opimon, that Canadian salt is not only equal to but even exceeds in
purity the best Enghsh brands ; and that there is no reason whatever either on the
ground of quality or cost, why the imported article should be used in preference to
the native product by the Ontario farmer or dairyman.
7 far as the use of salt for manure is concerned, it has hardly been suggestet;
that any practical difference could possibly exist between Canadian and English
salt, although, m one instance, a witness-Mr. Middleton, of Clarke township
(Durham) -stated, that he and his neighbours had come to the conclusion that
Goderich salt >^s not "so strong" as the English article, and that they could not
see the same effect from it on the crops. He admitted at the same time that the
season might have had something to do with the difference.
As an experiment, Mr. Middluton'a trial, of course, would be worthless, unless
all the surrounding circumstances were taken into account, but, as a matter of
fact, it IS next to impossible that there can bo any real difference between Canadian
salt and JLnglish salt applied in this manner. To disabuse the mind of anyone,
n'\'
!i;r;
386
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
however, who may have formed such an opinion, it may be worth while to remark
that, as between th§ two salts, while out of 100 pounds of ordinary Canadian salt
applied to the land there would be 98| lbs. of chloride of sodium or pure salt, there
would be only 97i to 98 lbs. of pure salt from 100 lbs. of ordinary English salt, the
difference in either case being mrde up by moisture or some foreign ingredients ;
and, unless it is to be argued that the infinitesimal additional quantity of the im-
purities to be found in English salt is to make any difference at all favourable to its
effects on the soil, it must be clear to the simplest comprehension that one salt is as
good as the other, or, if there be any advantage, it is on the side of the Canadian.
The question of the use of salt as a fertilizer will be further noticed in due course.
PURITY OF CANADIAN SALT.
So long ago as January 23rd, 1872, Dr. Sterry lunt may be said to have settled
all doubts as to the general purity of Canadian salt. His analysis gives to Canadian
salt 97 730 of chloride of sodium or pure salt : "050 of chloride of magnesium ;
traces only of chloride of calcium ; '932 in one case. 1*020 in another of sulphate of
lime (gypsum) ; and from 1 "200 to 1 "500 of moisture. An analysis subsequently
made at the instance of persons interested in the trade, was put in as evidence
during the late enquiry, showing that Canadian salt is more pure, not merely than
the Onondaga or American salt, but also than the highest and most famous English
brands.
i
Bansfobd's
Salt, by
Pbof. Cboft.
Ashton's
Salt, by
Pbof. Webeb.
Sodic Chloridei or Common Salt
98-739
•328
1-156
98-120
-500
1-300
97-820
•480
1-482
97-562
•927
1-315
97-415
Water
1-009
Calcic Sulphate
1-300
Calcic Chloride
-102
Sodic Sulphate
1
•142
Magnesia Sulphate
Trace.
Trace.
-080
-097
-122
-025
Magnesia Chloride
-bid
-017
-ii'd
-042
-081
Insoluble Matter .. ..
-063
100-256
100-000
100-026
100000
99-970
Mr. Gray, of the firm of Gray, Young & Sparling, of Blyth and Seaforth, re-
ferring to the incontestible purity of Canadian salt, said : —
" I have been engaged in the manufacture of salt for ten years. We make mostly fine and
coarse salt, and our market is principally in Ontario and the United States. The most tangi-
ble evidence that I can give with reference to the quality of Canadian salt is, that, wherever
it has gone, it has always taken the lead. We have exhibited it in Philadelphia, Sydney and
Paris, and at each of these places, where the awards were made after analysis, the Canadian
salt received the highest award against all other nations." (The witness exhibited medals
which the firm had been awarded at each of those exhibitions.)
Nor is testimony of this class confined to the salt districts of Huron and Bruce.
At the Elarton salt works, owned by Mr. C. J. Kingston, at Warwick, in the
County of Lambton, from a bed of salt supposed to be 60 feet in thickness, and
1,200 feet in depth, yielding brine at a depth of 1,400 feet, salt has been manufac-
tured that took the silver medal and diploma at the Paris Exposition of 1876, be-
sides carrying off prizes at Dominion and local exhibitions in this country.
At the same time it was admitted by manufacturers examined by the Commis-
sionerSi that imnerfections in the "reduction of the salt n!i<'ht ncciHinnallv have
had something to do with the complaints which had been made. Mr. Rightmeyer,
of Kincardine, who manufactures a very superior quality of salt, and sliips some
8ALT—P0BKFACKERS' COMPLAINTS.
387
8,000 tons annually to the United States, besides selling tKom 2,000 to 3 000 tons
in Canada, says :—
. " When our works first started, and before a reservoir was formed in the salt beds, aflford-
ing means of settling the brine, there was found the presence of gypsum in the salt, thomrh
not to any considerable amount." » •*«
Since this difficulty was overcome, Mr. Rightmeyer has had no complaints, and
fands his salt in demand by packers in the United States, who will use no other.
PORKPACKBRS' COMPLAINTS.
Dr. Coleman, of the firm of Coleman & Gouinlock, of Seaforth, very frankly
admitted that complaints had been made by porkpackers, and explained what he
considered to be the cause. His statement was as follows : —
"Complaints have been made in Canada of a kind of briny scum which our curing salt is
^id to produce on the meat, but I do not think it injures it ; I think I can account for this.
Ihe meat men in Canada do not deal fairly with us. Salt is made summer and winter ; sum-
mer-made salt loses its moisture, while winter-made salt retains much of it, and as these men
order most during the winter, we are obliged to give them winter-made salt, whioh is generally
frozen, and which, when it comes into contact with the meat, afifects it in the way stated If
we went to the expense of drying the salt in stoves, as they do in England, this difficulty
could be remedied ; but if the packers would give us their orders in good time we could sup-
ply them with summer salt, so that the difficulty would not occur. My theory is that the
shme 18 caused by the salt curdling the albuminous portion of the serum in the meat. Frozen
salt dissolves rapidly on meat. The exterior portion is cured rapidly, and the inner portion is
left uncured, which does not happen with dry salt, for the reason tliat the serum flows slowly
from the mea^ ; but with the wet salt flows rapidly from the surface, hardening it and pre-
venting the flow from the inner portion. I supplied salt to Davies, of Toronto, but he gave
"Po*^ account of the sliminess. The evil comes from the meat, not from the salt ; there is
a good deal, however, in prejudice. It is our business, as dealers and producers, to endeavour
to meet the market ; we have good results with our salt here at home, and we should have
the same in ^ other parts of the Dominion. We send veiy little coarse salt in winter to
Buffalo ; it all goes by rail ; we teke special care that it is dry. Cowan, of Toronto, Has not
dealt with us, but K. Thompson has."
Mr. Samuel Piatt, the pioneer of the salt industry in Canada, who was also
examined, expressed the opinion that the sliminess on pork could easily be accounted
for. All salt, in the fresh— or as he terms it, "green" — state, contains a certain
amount of water, which even evaporation does not entirely eliminate. Only time
renders it thoroughly dry and fit for packing purposes. The English salt crossing
the Atlantic, and being stored for a considerable period in bulk at its destination, in
Montreai or elsewhere, becomes perfectly dry by this natural process, and, if Cana-
dian packers desire to avoid the danger of which Mr. Davies complains, they have
only to order their salt in time, to insist on being supplied with a well-dried article,
and to use it when it is fully and properly matured.
Mr. M. P. Hayes, another witness, who was for some time engaged in the manu-
facture of salt, and now retains a scientific interest in all that relates thereto, also
favoured the Commissioners with his evidence. He says : —
"There can be no doubt that the salt produced in Canada for curing purposes is not only
perfectly pure, but in one sense even better than the English salt. The English salt, however,
owing to coal instead of wood being used in the process of evaporation, is manufactured in
deeper pans than are used in Canada, and the result is the crystals are of a harder and more
solid nature, so th»t, although the Canadian salt is better adapted for curing than the English,
the latter is, on the whole, to a certain extent preferable for packing purposes."
The sliminess Mr. Hayes is inclined to attribute rather to dampness in the cellar
than in the salt itself. He says : —
"There is a distinction between packing and curing ; for curing in summer our salt is
superior, but for packing, a firm, hard, crystallized salt is required, one that yields very slowly
to the surrounding atmospheric conditions, and for that reason Liverpool salt, which is made
at a low temperature in deep pans, and has a hard solid crystal, is unquestionably superior to
,j — ^ .„- J _ J.1..J ~ ...,„ „,,„ i.n7i>ai!n,!'>i! -ji uut aait 13 111 uUr o\v". iiauiis. rjy a slower
mode of evaporation we can make our salt as dry and firm as the English salt, while it would
have an advantage in being superior in quality. The same difficulty as to the want of dryness
IS found in England in the salt sold there for home use. The impurities in the salt ar- so
m
III '
S : iirl
4
388
ONTABIO AGRIGULTUBAL COMMISSION.
tnfling as to amount to noth:ng; everything depends upon the fonnation of the salt; for
ordinary domestic purposes Canadian salt is as good as any; for curing purposes it is entirely
superior to any salt in the world : this is admitted by aU the best packers in the United States.'-
Mr. Rightmoyer, already referred to as manufacturing a remarkably fine descrip-
tion of salt, chiefly for the American market, says:—" The porkpackers in Kincar-
dine, who formerly used English salt, now use mine exclusively; their meats com-
mand best prices in Toronto or other markets."
Mr. Robertson, of Seaforth, who, in 1866 and 1867, was engaged in the porkpack.
ing business, stated that he had used Canadian salt exclusively, that it gave him
perfect satisfaction, and that ho had no reason to doubt its nurity or suitability to
his business ; he never used any but Canadian salt in the curing process. Mr. Robb
who IS also engaged at Seaforth in the porkpacking business, has used Seaforth salt
since he commenced, and " has never had any complaints of the meat cured with
it. It is, however, apparent that he was not altogether unacquainted with the
tendency in the meat at times to get a "little slimy. '^ He remarks :—
"The slime on the meat does not affect it permanently, but unless it is rubbed oflf and the
meat salted anew, the meat will be spoiled altogether."
Now, it is just this process of " rubbing the slime off the meat," and re-salting
it, that English purchaser? would decidedly object to, if it were often repeated, but
there is no reason to doubt that in Mr, Robb's case, as possibly in that of Mr.
Davies', when this difficulty arose the salt had been used in too fresh or " green " a
condition.
Mr. John Beattie, now Mayor ;of Seaforth, wap engaged in porkpacking in the
years 1878 and 1879, during which time he used Canadian salt exclusively. He
had heard rumours unfavourable to Canadian salt, but said he did not believe that
any man could tell the difference between Canadian salt and English salt, provided,
of course, that care were taken to secure a properly manufactured article. He lays
great emphasis, however, on the necessity of the salt being dried. He says: "It
must be dried ; all the water must be out of it," and he goes on to say, " Once, when
I got some green salt, it had a slimy effect on the meat, and it was necessary to
wash the meat and salt it over again.
This statement further justifies the supposition that Messrs. Davies & Co. had
legitimate cause of complaint, while, at the same time, it is satisfactory to know that
the true cause has been discovered, that it arises from no inherent defects in the
Canadian salt, and that very little care in the manufacture and arrangements between
the buyer and seller, for the salt to be allowed sufficient time to become perfectly
dry, will suffice to prevent the possibility of any just cause of complaint arising in
the future.
P^' C*'^®'"*" P"* '^ letters from a large number of well-known firms in the
United States and Canada, by^whom Canadian salt is used for porkpacking purposes
to the exclusion of all other salt, some of them having a reputation which would be
a sufficient guarantee against the use, on their part, of any article that was not of
first-class quality
CANADIAN SALT IN CHEESE MAKING.
The alleged objection to the use of Canadian salt in the manufactyre of Canadian
cheese has been alluded to, and does not appear to be any more fatal to the Cana-
dian product than that which has just been noticed, although it is impossible to
doubt that there was a time when, for reasons already hinted at, Canadian salt
might have been regarded in a less favourable light by the Canadian cheese manu-
facturer than it is to-day. In 1877, Mr. Ballantyne, who, as already mentioned,
had made a series of experiments with Canadian and English salt in his 6wn cheese
factory, read the results of those experiments to the dairymen in convention.
Unwilling as Mr. Ballantyne was to injure any Canadian interest, his first dutv was
obviously to that particular branch of industry of which he is so prominent a mem-
ber, and the result of the statement he then made was to prevent, to a very large
extent, the use of Canadian salt in the Ontario cheese factories.
CANADIAN SALT IN GREESE MAKING.
389
The risk incurred by the cheese manufacturer in using any article on which he
cannot absolutely rely is very great, and no diflference in price, even if it were much
greater than that which exists between Canadian ami English salt, would make iC
worth while for any manager of a cheese factory to imperil his reputation by using
any other than the best established and most reliable article. English salt repre-
sented particularly by Ashton's and Higgins' brands, has a world-wiae and long-
established reputation, and m using those brands every manufacturer feels confi-
dent that, so far as the salt is concerned, he will be placed in no peril of failure or
loss. But it should bo, and it may be hoped now is, the determination of the
Canadian salt raanufac^nrer, by sheer superiority in the article ho turns out, to
overcome this difficulty, id make for his product a reputation equal, if not supe-
rior, to those of his English competitors.
He has the more need to do this because, undoubtedly, agents for the English
salt manufacturers have, at various times, circulated statements unfavourabfe to
Canadian salt ; and as these gentlemen are sometimes buyers of Canadian butter
and cheese, they have a considerable influence with the dairymen of Ontario.
In order to test fairly the respective merits of English and Canadian salf Mr
Ballantyne, M.P.P., and Professor Arnold— then in Ontario -instituted a rigid
examination into the quality of several cheeses submitted to their inspection at the
Kinburn (County of Huron) manufactory, on the 26th of October, 1879.
The character of the investigation was described by Mr, John R. Murray man-
ager of the Kinburn factory. His statement was as follows :~
A "i J ^?^f- manufactured cheese at Kinburn for the last eight years. I remember ProfesBor
Arnold visiting the Kmburn factory on the 22nd of August last year, and making a test of
cheeses made with different kinds of salt. The kinds we used were the Stapleton Patent
Canadian salt, Coleman & Gouinlock's Dairy Salt, Coleman & Gouinlock's Common Salt,
and the Higgins' English Eureka Salt. We made seven and a half cheeses and kept track of
seven, so that I was able to say what kind of salt was used in each cheese. I branded them
'^ jTv/^H^^,,^"?*" °°^y, *^ myself. The cheeses were then submitted to Professoj Arnold
and Mr. Ballantyne, and they exammed them, I think, on the 26th of October. After an
examination of over an hour, they finally decided that the cheese made with the Stapleton
salt was the best ; they said the cheese made with the English salt was not so good, but nearly
w.?° vA, . .Pfofessor Arnold aaid that the cheese made with Coleman & Gouinlock's salt
left a little taint in his mouth, but that age mi^ht take it away. I then told them the brands.
and I afterwards branded the cheeses over ag^m by changing the letters on them so that no
, one would know them afterwards. I also changed them about in the racks, because I thought
Professor Arnold and Mr. Ballantyne might come back again and know the order in which
they had left them."
It will be observed that Canadian salt of the Stapleton brand took the lead on
this occasion ; and although it was not pretended that any very perceptible differ-
ence existed between that and the English salt, the judgment of these experts was
on the whole, in favour of the Canadian article. '
_ The sequel of this examination appears to tl^e Commissioners, although at first
Bight it might seem to challenge the judgment of Messrs. Ballantyne and Arnold
to give additional force to their verdict in favour of Canadian salt. '
The several cheeses were sent, marker' with new brands, so that they might not
be identified, to the Dairymen's Conven,ion held in the February following. On
that occasion the cheese made with Coleman & Gouinlock's Canadian fait was
graded a« No. 1 ; the one made with the Stapleton salt came next ; then another
made with Coleman & Gouinlock's coarse salt ; while the cheese made with the
English salt was last in the field : so that, on two separate occasions, the best
judges who cculd be found pronounced in favour of Canadian salt-made cheese as
against that made with the English salt. The time that had elapsed between the
two tests might very easily account for that infinitesimally slight difference which
caused the variation from the original judgment— a difference which, it may safely
be assumed, none but the most critical experts could possibly detect so far as the
merchantable properties of the respective cheeses were concerned. It is probable
tliat there was really no difference practically affecting their value.
Mr. Ballantyne's statement, at Seaforth, where he was assisting as a member of
the Commission in this inquiry, and tendered himself as a witness, was :—
'
if I
liif
yii
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390
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
of
used ^t>^^« ft ^^? -f *" ^t'^M'-'h confidence in Canadian salt, and then it will be
•^ItinrihZ 1""*' '"^u '^'^'^'^ *'^ermt qualities." He went on to say, "I prefer coarser
^W>!f^r "*'',!"»• ^PHT '««™« *" "P«» •'«"«'" a« the cheese gets old ; the m.«t careful
As a matter of fact Canadian salt in now being used in a very large proportion
the cheese factories m western Ontario. b r i~ ""
Mr. Peter J. Daly dairyman in the County of H ...tings, where some advan-
tages exist in favour of English salt, owing to the freight being lower from Mon-
treal than from Huron, is m the habit of using Huron salt. He say^ :—
«,Kaf ^"r?° i"*'! " j*^^ •'" *5\°heese factory of which I am President, but I do not know
what particular brand it.s. I have no reason to think it is otherwise than satisfwtory and
the buyers find no fault, though they are both interested in English salt." '*"""*^»'*'^y' »°a
CANADIAN SALT IN BUTTER MAKING.
No valid ground for the insinuation to the disparagement of Canadian salt uspd
m the manufacture of butter, referred to by Mr. Gibson in his report, has been
discovered by the Commissioners.
While sitting at Perth, in the' County of Lanark, Mr. Robert Meighan, a large
purchaser of butter and other produce in that town, already alluded to in a pre-
vious connection expressed a very decided preference for English salt, selecting
Higgms brand above all others, and the salt which Mr. Meighan recommends it
the salt which IS hkely to be most used by a very large proportion of the dairy
farmers in his district. He stated that, since they commenced to use Higgins'
Eureka, they had few complaints ; previously the complaints were numerous
and the inference sought to be established was that the salt complained of was of
Canadian manufacture. This however, was by no means clearly made out, and
Mr. Meighan adnriitted he could not say thg salt complained of was Canadian nor
did he know positively that any of the complaints arose from the use of Canadian
salt. On the other hand, witnesses are numerous to the satisfactory character of
Canadian salt used in connection with the manufacture of butter
. -K^" J"?S' i ^^'^''SO, formerly of Teeswater, and who, as already mentioned,
established the first creamery m the County of Bruce, spoke in the highest terms of
Canaa.an salt. During the time that he was managing the creamery, Mr. Inglis
tried both English and Canadian salt. He admits that he did not find much differ-
ence, but says that the butter that took the highest price was made with Canadian
salt^ and he therefore stopped using the English article. Even now, while resident
in Chicago, he continues to use the Canadian salt, which, he says, he is confident is
equal to any English salt in the manufacture of butter.
• ^l' Robertson, of Seaforth, who is a buyer of butter from the farmers in that
neignbourhood says that Canadian salt is in general use; that some farmers, at his
request, tried English salt, but that it made no difference whatever in the butter
Mr. Edward Cash, another large purchaser of butter in the same district, has
never observed any difference in the quality of butter from the use of any particular
kind of salt. Previous to the discovery of salt in the County of Huron, American
salt was largely used. The butter-makers now all but universally use Canadian salt
Mr. Mettle, who succeeded Mr. Inglis in the management of the Teeswater
butter and cheese factory, gives testimony similar in effect to that gentleman He
says : — a • «
u "u^u ^^^l ".!.^^'" ^^^ t^y fault found with the butter. We have generally used Seaforth
salt both for butter and cheese. Where the Liverpool salt and the danadkn salt have been
used for the same shipments no difference whatever could be found on examinatbn No
buyer has ever complained to us of the salt used. We are just now using Liverpool salt but
I cannot discover any difference from the Canadian salt." "rpwi »»«, oui
xu FlZ"" *^^,^''°*^ before them, the Commissioners can have no hesitation in stating
that the well-ascertainerl fthfimir>a.l TMin'fir /^f Por>»;);«^ u —i i . °
r 1. J J ii. "i C ^ — -^ ■" ""•""""" nail, TTiicii proporiy manu-
factured and the proper brands are used, is fully equalled by its adaptability to all
dairying purposes. *^ /■-"»"
SALT A8 A FERTILIZER.'
391
SALT AS A FERTILIZER.
The use of salt for fertilizing purposes ia a comparatively new feature in Cana-
dian agriculture, although it has long been employed by agriculturists in Great
Britain.
In the year 1868 the Royal Agricultural Society of England offered a prize of
£100 for the best essay on the use of salt as a fertilizer, and the essay which took
the prize recommended the following quantities : —
Pounds of Salt per acre.
r^ , ^, ,„ Light Heavy Heavy
Description of Crops. ioi). soil. loam.
Wheat 500 450 400
Rye 550 500 400
^"ley 600 550 450
S**8 650 600 500
Peas ... 600 550 400
J^opa 600 500 400
Potatoes 600 400 350
Turnips or beets 500 400 300
Clover and grasses 700 600 460
Hay, 20 pounds per ton.
Fruit treees, four pounds, in trenches on each side of tree.
Mr. Richard Ransford, who is familiar as an Englishman with the use of salt in
Great Britain for fertilizing purposes, is now carrying on the business of a salt
manufacturer at the Stapleton works near Clinton, in the County of Huron. As a
practical chemist he was able to explain what, in his opinion, was the precise effect
of salt when used upon land. He said, as a chemist, and coming from England
where salt is used so largely : — '
" I always took it for granted that it was beneficial as a fertilizer. Salt acts in several
ways on the land. It acts largely as a solvent, dissolving the ingredients of the soH, much
more rapidlv and effectually than pure water. It retains the ammonia in tlie manure for the
use of the plant instead of letting it evaporate, and it attracts moisture from the air and irivea
it to the sou." °
^He went on to remark that a certain amount of salt enters into the composition
of all plants, which renders it necessary to their health that they should be supplied
with it either from the atmosphere or by artificial means, and he expressed the
opinion that the geographical and climatic condition of this country, far removed as
we are from the ocean, make it necessary that salt should be used here even more
freely than in England,
He does not of course pretend to say that salt alone is sufficient to recuperate
the exhaustion of the soil, or even to maintain fertility. Salt is not so mucli a fer-
tilizer as an agent or factor in the work of fertilization, while there is good reason
to suppose that a certain portion is absorbed into the body of the plant.
The writer of a letter put in by Mr. Moore, one of the witnesses, Mr. J. H.
Baulch, of Hampton, states in effect that, where salt is freely used on grain crops,
it can be traced in the straw fed to the cattle in the winter season, so that they take
it much better than straw grown where salt has not been applied.
Prof. Bell, of Albert College, Belleville, who gave evidence before the Commis-
sioners during their sitting at the latter place, gave the following as his theory
regarding the operations of tiie salt upon crops : —
"I think salt (chloride of sodium) might be applied advantageously upon land remote
from saline waters. The chlorine would combine with the atmospheric moisture and form
hydrochloric acid, and this acid would seize upon some other ingredients of the soil, while the
Boda would be liberated, and act on the silica of the soil and make it soluble. It is in this way
that salt has an effect in strengthening and brightening the straw of the grain."
At all events the evidence is overwhelming that, probably in the manner describ-
ed by Mr. Ransford and Prof. Bell, salt has a powerful and beneficial effect upon
certain crops.
Mr. Thomas Govenlock, of Seaforth, stated that his finn had, in three months
during the then current year, sold 63,000 tons of salt for fertilizing purposes. The
I
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392
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
witness himself is a large farmer, and, as his evidence referred to in another part of
the Report shows, a feeder and shipper of cattle. His practice is to use from four
to tive hundred pounds of salt to the acre every year. He has used it on turnips
on wheat and barley, and on grass crops. His statement is that it hastens the crop'
increases the yield, makes the turnips more vigorous, and adds strength to the stalk
of the grain.
v^r^^' ^"»^ord, already mentioned, applies it to pasture lands, roots and grain
When used on the hay it is scattered lightly by hand in the spring. In common
with other witnesses, ho alleges that it adds greatly to the strength of the straw in
the growing grRin— a very important circumstance in connection with some of the
complaints of the weakening of the straw of spring wheat.
^»T® *^T t^® j^F^*^ witnesses who referred to this subject when under examination
was Mr. John Gibson, of the Township of Markham, who apoke in the most confi-
deii, terms as to the effect of salt on the straw of spring wheat. Ho is also of opin-
ion that salt has the effect of diminishing the danger of rust. He says :
"I think salt is beneficial, even where land is not underdrained. I sowed it on sprine
wheat on the Scarboro' farm, afid I am able to tell, by the appearance of the grain, where thi
salt has been sown and where it has not; where the salt is sown, the grain is brighter and
clearer, and .he wheat -riper than where it is not sown ; and I am quite satisfied that since I
maturit"^ more'^'uiokl "^ '^''^**' " *'®"^'' '*°'^ *°®'" ^*™'^' """^ ^^"^ ^'■*'° comes to
Mr. Sproatt a large farmer in the Township of Tuckersmith, has made numerous
experiments with salt, which he has been using for ten years. He says :—
"I generally use from 400 to 500 pounds of salt to the acre. I think it has the effect of
did not sow any salt on it and you could see a distinct line showing where the salt we. sown
and where It was not. The salt had also the effect of bringing the turnips ahead rapidly, and
Sniost ZiST «l'"' n" resist the fly. I could not 11/ whether or^ot irbenefite'd th2
S^thTnCtdk 'and do'ublete yLl'l.'^ "°" "''''''''''• ^^« ^'^^^^ '^ *^« ^^^^^ ^^ ^
f„rn;nT^!,•o^^''!^*^'? t^»« ^^It ^as sown on the turnips, the barley crop, which followed the
tef' ^r^t f «'^*y,'^"«h'«l« t» the acre, that is (en or twelve bushels to the acre more than
Ltr-burel'truythVLTatSoX" " """''' ""^ ''^' ' weighed went fifty pounds
Mr. John Moore, of North Dumfries, in the County of Waterloo, who was one
of the witnesses examined during the sittings of the Commissioners at Gait, has
recently substituted salt for gypsum, which he had been using for many years, and
has found the change advantageous. He has applied salt to his turnip crop with bene-
ht, and it is important to notice that its effects appeared to be maintained upon his
crop of barley, which followed the crop of turnips. The barley, he says, ripened
sooner, the sample was brighter, the straw stood up better, and, so far as appear-
ances went, he thinks he had double the yield. The salt had been applied in the very
moderate quantity of 100 pounds to the acre. It may be fairly open to question
whether the salt alone produced the benefit on the barley to so great an extent as
Mr. Moore attributes to it, but it appears to be quite certain that, previous to the
application o. salt, barley-growing had been unsuccessful on Mr. Moore's farm, and
that, after the application of the salt, he obtained a fair average crop.
He has also tried the experiment of using salt on a strip of land adjacent to other
portions to which no salt was applied ; the effect, he says, of the salt was that the
crop (of turnips) was better all through the season. The uso cf salt he states is be-
coming very general in his locality. It is hardly necessary to say that, in common
with all other good farmers, he uses salt very largely in feeding his cattle.
Mr. Thomas E. Hays, Reeve of McKillop, and ex- Warden of the County of
Huron, was a witness examined at Seaforth. His testimony was very similar to
that of some of the other witnesses. He uses salt more liberally than Mr. Moore,
the result no doubt of his farm being situated so near to the works, tliat he is able
to obtain it Witnnilf. f/he />r>sf nf f-ra\rt\ii- nAA^^A fo fl,« — -r-J- = l -1 TT 1
V " :; — , ■" "," "-'&•'• •-•'i-'^t lo iHc v.-uginai uuiiigi;. iio aiso stales
that not only has the straw been stiffer in consequence of the application of salt,
but that the ear of liis wheat, both spring and faU, was better tilled, and he had
HALT AS A FEliTILIZEB.
898
scarcely been troubled with any rust in the fall wheat where salt had been applied,
iiy the application of salt to the turnips he was also, he says, able to cet them
thinned a week earlier than previously
The importance of hastening on the growth of the turnip, or causins its early
and vigorous development, as a means of frustrating the ravages of the fly. will be
well understood by all turnip growers. » » y.
Mr Thonison, of Brooklin, a very observant and careful farmer, thinks that the
salt IS benefacial to the land not so much as a fertilizer, as a fertilizing agent ; and
while he agrees with others that it produces stiffness in the straw, he adds that it
has the eftect of absorbing the moisture fr.,.-i the atmosphere, and keeping the land
moist in dry seasons He applies it very liberally mixed with droppings from the
hen coop He uses Goderich salt, which can be delivered in Brooklin at «6 a ton.
Mr. Walter Riddell, of Cobourg, has noticed the very decided effects of salt on
root crops, both as regards the tops and the roots. He says : " I have experimented
very carefu ly with sa t, and am quite convinced of its beneficial effects on mangolds
and bwedish turnips. °
Mr. Richard Rennelson, of North Dumfries, at Gait went rather minutely into
his experiments with salt. His statement is of sufficient interest to justify its repro-
duction at length. He says :— J J- °f*
lmr-17<llu\^-^'' ^*^* '"Tif *^T ?'",*°"'' y^*""^- ^ *^*^« *"ed it on mostly all crops. In our
baney fi e d this season, there had been a crop of wheat the year previous. This field was
pWhed ,„ the fall by three horses-deep ploughed-and manured cfuring the winter rabou?
n fr iff V, r*^f " b**^^°u^ manure to the acre were applied to it : and in the spring we sowed
our salt before touching the land, about 200 pounds to tlie acre, ^his was harrowed and eane-
ploughed m ; but across the field, taking a fair average of the soil, T ■ ft unslh^d a strip sfx
filJ'/fel. ^'^/''r' ^^^ y"^"' ^f"S*^ «^**»'« ""^'^l*^'^ P^*' however, I put the manuie
doubly thick and when it came near harvest time the difference was very marked
narf J'nTf "f"^ neighbours saw the barley, and it was the universal opinion that the unsalted
part would not yield more than one-half what the other did, partly because it was broken down
|md did not ripen The part that received the double share of manure was much better, in
fact nearly as good as the salted, but considerably broken down. I passed over the tie d
?W±^«f ?h *r V/^f^v,'"''.?^ ^^' '^^t'^ P*^* J^'l"'*^ ''"^h*- *"d y°" °^" ««« without dfficulty.
clear across the field, the difference between it and the stubble on the unsalted part which il
luJt f '^"•"^^^ quantity There is very little difference between the silted and the un-
dedded^J S.' '" ""^ ''''*' ^'"''P* *^** °° ^^^ '^°"^^y manured part it is
t f i!' l^ Y^ °"* Ju® '"'uP'^ '^^^^% '^f \ decided difference in the head of the grain. The quality
hlff .^nf ^'' ""a *'?nV*'*/^ &™"»d is decidedly better than that on the other-better fil?ed and
fh» f„,?.i ,"^'^-^^'^*^v*?'^ Y?' ^?*^ ^^*JS."" the unsalted part, but it was the fly that was
S! fW I ^""^ °*rii" breaking down. The fly seemed to seize on the unsalted partrwhUe
the other stood up The salted part was also affected by the fly, but it stood up a week or two
weeks longer than the unsalted. I tried a portion with double salting right acrors the fieW
TandTh^othe;/' *''' '*"P '* "^^' ""^^^^' ^^* ' '^''"^'^ "«* ««« ^"^ decl'dTdlfference between
Mr. Hobson, of Wellington, mentioned that, 'some years ago, he had fifteen
acres of wheat, m one eld, with a clay loam soil and undulating land. He selected
ten acres upon which iie put salt, and left the other five acres without any The
result, he says, was, "The wheat sown on the five acres without salt fell down and
was almost worthless, while the other stood up and was very tine." He has used
salt ever since, generally applying about four hundred pounds weight to the acre
The price of salt for fertilizing purposes at Brooklin (Ontario) has been already
mentioned as $6. Its price at the works at Goderich, Clinton, Seaforth, or Kincar-
dine, would range from $2.50 to $3 per ton, and probably $20 would paj^ the freight
of a car load of salt from any or either of these places to Toronto, a car bein<^ under-
stood to hold 12 tons. It is easy on this basis for our farmers to calculate the cost
of salt delivered m their respective localities. The evidence on this point, with
scarcely an exception, appears to be completely in favour of the use of salt as a
fertilizer ; anu, in vie-.v of thu importance of enriching the farm in every way. nro-
moting the growth and protecting the early plant of the root crops against the
ravages of the fly, and of encouraging the use, of every conceivable remedy for the
i I, n?
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394
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
troubles that assail the sprin^^ wheat crop, it is to be hoped that, in future, the use
of salt by farmers will continue to increase, and the young and rising Canadian salt
industry find its interests thereby greatly promoted.
REFUSE SALT.
It may here be remarked that some farmers from motives of economy, others
under the idea that, for some reason or other, it is stronger or more stimulating, are
in the habit of purchasing refuse salt, which is sold for a trifle less than the ordinary
salt by the manufacturers. Except that it is of a dirty brown colour, being the
scrapings of the pans when they are periodically cleaned out, and so has a certain
amount of foreign matter mingled with it, there is really no diflorence between the
refuse and the common lalt. The quantity to be had is very small, ai. no possible
benefit can be received from its use beyond that derived from the use of the pure
article.
Few branches of their investigation have given the Commissioners greater
pleasure and satisfaction than that into the use of salt in connection with agricul-
ture and cognate industries. They are quite aware that the salt manufacturers of
Canada labour under some considerable disadvantage as compared with those else-
where. A very high fiscal duty limits their trade with the United States, and it is
no small tribute to the purity of Canadian salt that, notwithstanding this impost,
avowedly for the protection of American salt manufacturers, Canadian salt is used
in immense quantities in the great American porkpacking centres. On the other
hand, English salt is brought to Canada in vessels cuming out otherwise empty, in
order to obtain freights of grain or lumber from this side, and consequently salt is
carried to Halifax, Montreal or Quebec, at little more than ballast rates. English
salt is admitted free of duty, although a duty is imposed by Canada upon American
salt. The effect of English salt being imported in such large quantities in the
interest of nur fishermen and the population of the Eastern and Maritime Prov-
inces is to limit the area very much over which Canadian salt can be profitably
distributed.
CHAPTER XIII.
GYPSUM, BONE-DUST, AND PHOSPHATES.
The use of salt in connection with agriculture, and its value as a manurial
agent, will be properly supplemerfted by some notice of other substances coming
under the denomination of special fertilizers. If these important auxiliaries of the
agriculturist are not used more extensively than at present, it is not because an
ample supply from home sources is wanting. Accessible with the least possible
amount of mining, are found, on the banks of the Grand River, along a line
stretching from Cayuga to Paris, magnificent and practically inexhaustible beds of
very pure gypsum. Of bones, the surplus exported is very large indeed, and in
some of the eastern counties of the Province of Ontario as well as in the contiguous
part of the Province of Quebec are immense deposits of mineral phosphate. In
those portions of the Province of Ontario where access by water from the States
reduces freights, gypsum can be ii.i^jorted in the rock state, and as no duty is
imposed by either country on this product, the Grand River deposits are freely
exported to those placee in the United States that are most accessible from Western
Ontario. The Commissioners deemed it well to give particular attention to this
branch of their inquiry, and held sittings both at Gait and Toronto in order to take
evidence of a practical and scientific character as to the application and beneficial
effects of the several fertilizers mentioned at the head of this chapter.
r1
OYPSUM, BONE DUST, AND PHOSPHATES. 395
OYPHUM, OR LAND PLASTKR.
obtained Land planter In BunpoLdtobe^^^^^^^^^ ? purer quality wa.
white suhHtance composed 0/ thirty-three narta of Iim« f\T -H °'i«"V*"*"y P"''^' » »
twenty-one of water of crvstalliyation T kLk lu ?®.V '"'^'^•V-six of sulphuric acid, and
pypsum bed« are found i«^aS the "rand River' fh« *''" ''°^' ?"''■ i"^ *^"**"" «" ^Wch
in Nova Scotia and up in the SaVkatchewan diHirict V/f""'^!^^ besides (in Canada)
below Cayuga, above dayuga, and in the Shi ou hSd of plir Th**'""'" """? »«•« aituateJ
beds 18 not altogether the same in appearance » "^ gypaum found in theae
Mr. John Allan, of the firm of Gill Allan «& n« ^* t> • •
prietors of mines both at CavuJa and ParU^ it 1 ' ''• ?*"^' " ""« ^^ *he pro-
wouio, of cour.. be .^'^:s^^ ^ ^zst ^ s^ ^-:^]:t
a bed of white gymum about four feet in th^knZ The P.tr!« '^^ •'^*'' '^'^^^ *»>«'•« ««
'gray.' but the colour is not so marked al in the olwWo article '' *'^^""™ "* «'"''*"^ """^^^
^ii^li^7^:Zi:^lS:t''' *'^ P""*^^^ ^^-^-'^ ^P«- - compared
kne: wtrw^r a*lh1rl^?rLi„1f J^nSZ^^^ "1"- "^^ *^« •"'*-^- ' »>•
from the surrounding rocks that it was one of the best • T„d fh.r''"'/P«°J™?" ' ^ could Bee
pure gypsum as against 7907 contained^n the whitf rV^,? R- ' C""*»'»«^ 55-67 per cent, of
report of Mr. Heys, by whom it w^s analwpH T„ m n^'"'^'" »yP«u«i. according to the
soluble matter, which wo^ld™ cLX sand 4-8 whn«^n° ^'^T ^^P'"'" ^^^^^ ^<*«. ol \l
of iron and alumina there was 1-4 perVenrln the Oswe^^^^^ no insoluble Matter;
]ust a trace ; of carbonate of lime, which is" chalKlSnn» .K° *^^ Grand Eiver there was
and a trace in the Grand River Of pJr,^r?f«^ t "™^'*'^'"?«' *here was 13-31 in the Cswego
Oswego; that, they Sm%aL of itsSf TfertS^^ "^"t-^Zn ^«°*- ^^ th«
none in ours. If carbonate of lime w^ilfl n!.f k^ P'-^Pf.^^y ' ^ <^o not think it has. There it
carbonate of magnesiaToSd be Of wSt and iZ fhi^ ^ ^^T^^ °°'^ think it probable
interest in both, says :— ""puncy, au. Allan, who has an equal
pose3,l\totnt if *tUubifltT "SS^ilXZ^t^'^K'^^ ^""^ "¥*« ^^ ^-""-'"g Pur-
white plaster is more crvstalline fh^n fi^^^ • " shown by tests on the land. The CayuJa
That is^he reasoTwhyThe'mmeSate r^^^^^^^^^ *'^'^f l°"^«r *« disS
from the white, although there may beTbett/r rp«flff*l"^ l'?"* ^¥ ^""^y P^^^ter than
and third years. We\ell both wYite Ld gray land xZitV^'"^ P'*"'"'' '" f"^ ««°"°d
filtered some of both kinds through water and fnnnH Kl^tl ""'" i*"^" manufacture. I
cent, greater solubility in the grav thaTin th« whZ . f t t'- *^l^° "^"^ ^"""^ ^^^ *« eight per
eight per cent, more of the gra^y than the whUe Anok«rlA'; *^ '^^}^'- t""^ "P ^^m five to
solubility in the gray than in the white." Another test showed eight per cent, more of
COST OF GYPSUM.
ill
I i'
3»6
ONTARIO AQlilCULTUHAL COMMISSION.
^:
ohMed. Tho high ratwi of frefsfht charged fi>r the transportation of land planter havn »n Im-
portant effect in lirnitini< tho i|uaiitity Mold. Lumber rateH are charged, which are conHideriilily
f!j,'her than are paid for coal. This prcdudiis tho ado of land nhwtor at points much farther
diKtant than one hunilre<l milcM from the mineu. Wh are conHaeiit that more lil|p-al rates of
railroad frrtJKhtu would larxoly incroaHe the *ale of land phiHter. The coat per car, of Heiidinx
gypHum from FariH to Toronto, in 818, and the car containw 12 tons. From (^ayu(?a to London
the coHt by the oardoad m #1.40 per ton ; from I'arin to London $1.20 ; from Parix to (loderich
about .$2.00. It costs in Toronto alHiut sKLOO. The plaster from Grand UapidH comes over in
barrels ; that from ()swe|L(o comes in rock, and is ground on this side."
Mr. Morritt mentioiw a somewhat lower price as tho rate at which the Oayuga
i^'psum is sold, but it ia nut likely the difference is very considerable either between
the two companies at Cayuga or between Cayuga and Paris. Mr. Merritt says : —
"We can lay gypsum down at about $5 a ton in Toronto in bulk ; that is, JIBO for a car-
load. I think a barrel of Oswego plaster costs, laid down in Toronto, HO to 8.) cents. They
ay 6S cents in Oswogo, I believe, and then the freight is very small, being return freight.
Ve could lay urs down in Toronto at about 70 cents a barrel without the barrels. The
farmers seem to think that there is more virtue in gypsum in barrels than in what is in
bulk, which is a mistake. We can deliver ours in bulk as cheap as or cheaper than the
Oswego in barrel. _ The Oswego gypsum is of a gray description, and the colour is due to slate
and sand. There ia about 25 per cent, less gypsum in it than there is in the white."
HOW GYPSUM AFFECT.S VEUETATION.
Professor Boll, speaking as an agricultural chemist, of the effects of gypsum,
says :—
*' There are two ways in which the use of land plaster assists vegetation, first by supplying
sulphuric acid or sulphur, which is an important ingredient, especially in the seeds of plants.
It also supplies lir .e in a soluble state. Tlie sulphate of lime is slightly soluble. Four hun-
dred anil sixty ounces of water would dissolve one ounce of pure sulphate of lime or gypsum.
Its other benefit is its mechanical effect in absorbing ammonia, which is an important element
in vegetation. It also makes a double combination with some alkaline salts.
"Plaster is much more effective in wet than in dry seasons, as a much larger portion of it
dissolves and becomes available. It will not act so beneficially in soils in whieh there ia a
sufficient quantity of lime as in those in which it is deficient, and the reason it gives out in
new land is that lime is mostly present in excess."
The remarks of the Professor confirm the opinion of Mr. Allan, that the dryness
of recent seasons has led to a somewhat diminialied use of plaster, its effects having
been leas observable than when the atmosphere was charged with a greater quantity
of moisture.
U.SB AND VALUE OF GYPSUM.
As to the purposes to which gypsum is applied, Mr. Merritt says : —
"The class of crops for which we chiefly have a demand for gypsum are clover and legu-
minous plants, turnips, and that sort of thing ; it is much used on corn and potatoes, and
some have used it on both spring and winter wheat, oats, barley, and rye, besides fruit trees
and garden plants, with good effect."
Mr. Allan says : —
"Gypsum has its special place in agriculture, and farmers who expect it to benefit all
crops directly w^ill be disappointed where it has not been used intelligently.
" For clover it should be sown early, say about the first week in April, never less than
100 lbs. to the acre on light soil. Then after the plant ia well started, say about the first or
second week in May, a second top-dressing of 50 lbs. to the acre. The trouble and slight
additional expense will be well repaid. Fifty cents' worth of land plaster applied in this
way will produce an average gain of over $3 per acre over a crop not treated with gypsum."
The use of gypsum in connection with barn-yard manure has already been
noticed. It is further referred to by Mr. Allan in his evidence. He says : —
" I believe that the opinion is now generally held by the better class of farmers, and by
those who have given this question a good deal of attention, that the best way to use land
plaster ia to throw it on the manure heap. Land plaster sometimes fails from atmospheric
causes when thrown on the land, but it can never fail when thrown on the manure heap. It
keeps the ammonia in the manure, and leaves it in the very best condition for throwing upon
the land.
" One gentleman said he believed it trebled the valiie of barn-yard manure when nronerl^
nsed, and hia method of using it was this : When he found ammonia escaping he spread
OYPSUM, BONE DUST, AND PHOSPHATES.
307
pliwtwr on the manure heap three timed, at Interval of a day or a day and .4 half, and hy that
tiiiio the ammonia wait HxmI, and the manure wan rotted properly, and ho carted it into the
Held and upreati it from the waKKon-"
Of its vahio in tho stahlos and hyros, iis a inoann of fixing tho ammonia, onoiiKh
has beun wild ilroady. Tho opinions of practical farniera and their mode of apply-
ing tho gypsum will now recjuire notice.
EXl'KKIKNCK OF PRACTICAL KAKMRRH.
Mr Jamo8Cowan,.who is well known in Western Ontario as one of tho most
successful farmers in the County of Waterloo, has used plaster for nearly Hfty years.
He says : — >■ >> j j
the
good
One year I exjwrimented with planter from Nova Scotia, Caledonia, and PariH ; alwi at
same time with nnleached anheH. The roHult from all tho .liffeient i)la8terH was «iiially
„— Jl. Ihe land Hown with aHhe§ waH no better than where nothing wan done to it. When I
seed down with fall wheat I how plaster to benefit the clover, not the fall wheat. I found
that plaster had a tendency to increase the straw and induce rust in full wheat.
i^or the puriMwe of seeing what effect plaster would have on fall wheat, I sowed a single
cast of plaster across a field of fall wheat. The track of the i)laster was quite conspicuous ;
the wheat stronger and taller than the rest of the field, white and rod clover growing at the
to<)t of It, while on the other part of the field no clover was to be seen. The wheat, though
later, was nc.t perceptibly iniured by the rust, the reason, I think, being that that was not a
year In which wheat was inclined to rust. I have made no experiment which would lead me
to conclude that the use of gypsum had been the means of preventing rust. The use of it
increases the quantity of straw, and causes the wheat to be a little later in ripening. I have
not found that it makes the head any larger. Clover is the principal crop to which I have
applied gypsum.
"I remember a field that was seeded down with what we call the big kind of clover ; and
where I jmt plaster the clover was no heavy that we could scarcely cut it, while on a small
piece which I left unplastered for an experiment there was hardly anything to cut. My
ordinary course is to cut one year and pasture another ; but I do not remember what I after-
wards did with that field. When I came to the Township of Waterloo, it was said among
my neighbours, ' Cowan may be a rich man, but he will have poor children.' In other words,
that I would kill my farm by using plaster."
Mr. Cowan appears to have demonstrated very conclusively that the eflfect of
the plaster is not exhausted in one season. He has never seen it fail except in
very dry seasons, when, for reasons already suggested, the want of moisture pre-
vented its absorption.
Mr. Andrew Telfer, of South Dumfries (Brant), gives the result of his expe-
rience as follows :—
• '*u *^*^® principally used gypsum. On turnips I have used gypsum and salt together. I
mix them and sow them broadcast. I drill up my ground before sowing them on the roots.
I use gypsum alone, principally for clover. I do not put gypsum and salt on turnips after
the crop hiw grown ; I put them on the land before drilling. I have never used salt by itself.
J. .', , '*'■"" which I occupy and that of my brother were formerly one farm. It was
divided some years ago. My brother used no gypsum, but I did, and this year I had a larger
hay crop than he. I got nearly two tons per acre off my land, while my brother did not get
one. 1 had not applied any manure but gypsum to that. My brother had not applied any
at all, either farm manure or anything else. The position of the fields in the two cases was
the same ; they were both on high land ; I could not see that, in that respect, one had any
advantage over the other. They were both about equally exposed. We have used plaster
ever since we came to this country, which was over thirty years ago. We are about three
miles from the plaster beds. Plaster has been obtainable from them during all that time. I
am getting it now in a much finer st tte than it was in formerly. I think that, being finer, it
will do more good ; it will be absorbed the more readily.
_" I applied a little of it this year to my fall wheat, leaving a part of the field without any
on It, and now you could almost mow the part of the field on which I put it— the clover is
getting out in head, while on the other pare you can see the stubble quite plainly across the
field.
" I have used gypsum on corn, and find that it produced a great effect upon it ; it makes
it stronger, and causes a heavier crop, I think. The reason that I combined gypsum and salt
was that a neighbour told me he had tried them together with good results. The use of
them on turnips has been to give me heavier crops. I cannot say that the use of salt and
gypsum together has caused the crops to grow fa.ster,"
Mr. Daniel Perloy, of Paris, who ia heard from as an enterprising Southdown
I'.:
m
i 1.
308
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
he'tas^en^ vear«";S' «J,^"; ^^J^^bition^' ^^\ had experience of plaster ever since
ne^waa ten years old. He then resided at Ancaster, in Wentworfch. and he told
of g^pTum " H":"ayr"J"'"^ ^"^^^ ^' '"^^ *'™^ "«^« prejudiced ;«= the use
do not think plaster does any good sowed in drv weather T Hn nnt- fi,;«l *i, -^ ■
fiv«^f; ^^''w ^i^'°",' °^ ^°'*^ Dumfries, has used planter off and on for twentv-
fiye years Ho has also experimented with Caledonia, or Cayuga plaster and the
plaster obtained at Paris, with, as he thinks, the result of shXing the latter to be
Mr Neil J. Campbell, of Nelson (Halton), says :—
" We have tried land plaster, 6 or 7 tons. I sowed 5 tons on spring wheat in 1877 with
GYPSUM, BONE-DUST, AND PHOSPHATES.
899
good results ; the wheat was the best in the neighbourhood. In that year, when there was a
great deal of rust and shrinkage in the wheat, 12 bushels to the acre was considered a good
crop ; but we had 17 bushels. We sowed from 250 to 30Dpoui^«rof land plaster to the acre.
We have also used it on clover with very good results. We always thought that we had as
good results in the second year as in the tirst."
Mr. Alexander Barrie, of Gait, owns a farm that has been under the influence
of gypsum for thirty years. He has used it chiefly on clover and peas. He says : —
"I have frequently sowed plaster in the spring of the year on clover as soon as the first
leaves were sufficiently developed ; and I think that is the best time to sow it. In doing this
I have sometimes missed part of the clover, and if the atmospheric conditions were favourable,
I have been able to trace the difference immediately between the clover on which plaster has
been sown and that on which it was not. I have not made any test as to quantity. Besides
clover, I have used gypsum ou peas to good advantage in the early part of the season to
assist them in growth.
" This season by way of experiment I used it on barley. I got a fertilizing drill with a
view of using artificial manures more than I have hitherto done, and it sowed from 150 to 400
pounds of plaster to the acre, the fertilizer depositing the plaster with the seed in the ground,
and after I reaped the barley I saw no perceptible effect whatever, either on the 1 trley or
clover. This season was very favourable to making the test. The gypsum would have had a
good effect if it had been sown as a top dressing after the barley and clover were brairded. I
sowed salt and plaster mixed together. I sowed it with a drill, and it had a most decided
effect. I sowed that on barley on the same farm. The field on which I sowed gypsum alone
on barley had been under grass for a number of years. The field that I sowed plaster and salt
on had been eight years under grass. There had been no other fertilizer employed on either
of them."
Mr. Barrie adds : —
"I had used salt and plaster previously on turnips. Those I sowed on a field of which I
had manured a portion with barn-yard manure. On another part of the same field I used un-
leached wood ashes, and on another I used salt and plaster, and I could not see any decided
difference, except that, where I sowed the salt and plaster, the plant was somewhat more
vigorous."
Mr. Merritt, while under examination, having mentioned that he had not long
since received a letter from the late Hon. George Brown, in which the advantages
of using gypsum, and some of the objections urged against it, were discussed, the
Commissioners decided, in view of the eminent position of the deceased Senator
as an experimental agriculturist, and the great opportunities the large growth of
green and root crops at Bow Park had afforded for testing the use of gypsum, to
admit the letter (the original having been produced) as evidence. It disposes of the
pros and cons in the premises in the terse and vigorous fashion so characteristic of
the writer. The letter is as follows : — §
LETTER FROM THE LATE HON. GEORGE BROWN.
Toronto, 18th March, 1880.
My Dear Sir, — I am very much interested in your proposed enterprise on the Grand
River. I have been a large consumer of land plaster for over twenty years— many of these
years to the extent of fifty tons per annum — and nave not only been entirely satisfied with its
singular effect on the crops, but astonished that any farmer can afford to carry on his farm
without its assistance. Its effect on clover, peas, Indian corn, and indeed on all leguminous
crops, is magical. A good dressing of it, say 200 to 300 pounds per acre, will make all the
difference between profit and loss on the crop of a field.
An old complaint against plaster is that it has a wonderful effect for three or four years,
but that the land then becomes what is called "clover sick," and its power ceases to be felt.
I think this is a misapprehension— nay, from much experience, I may say that I know that
it is so. The true explanation of the "clover sickness" may be found, I am confident, in the
great exhaustion of the land by the larp'e crops taken from it, through the stimulating effects
of the gypsum — and the failure to reato. ; the other elements of plant growth that have been ex-
hautted by the same process. Exhaust the land by great crops, and trust to gypsum solely for
a continuance, and you may be disappointed ; but couple with it a good dressing of barn-yard
manure and you wvl not complain of your crop or of your land as "sick."
Another objection to plaster is the disagreeable task of sowing it— burning the fingers,
flying in the eyes, and so iorth. Also that it lakes u gieal wliliu to sow u Urge surfaoe with
it, and just at the moment when the spring work dem!>.nds all the strength, and more than is
available to the farmer. But all these objections are met by an admirable machine, con-
structed for the purpose of sowing plaster, made by Mr. John Watson, of Ayr, and by the
111
r
m
11 if
400
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
80 painfully numerous over our country, rich with green verdure? ^ ™ "®^'^^' ''^*' ^® "^^^
Believe me, faithfully yours,
Wm. Hamilton Mbrritt, Esq. ^"°- ^ROWn.
QUANTITIES APPtlKD AND MODE OF APPLICATION.
In the foregoing letter the quantities of gypsum that may be orofitablv used
Mr. Cowan says : —
makes clay iLd stiflfer knd harde? to work • but 3^'^^ ''** t^e »PP"cation of plaster
stiffer and harder to work than it was ' ^ ^"'"'^ ''*' '^'^^ ^'^'^ ^'^ be a good deal
Mr. Telfer says :—
I ^ V ^Y?®" ^ ""^ plaster alone I use about 100 pounds to the acre Tf f Jia «loaf^.. ; i
have not yet t.und any machine for doing it satisfactorily." ^ aistributmg it. I
^"i ^f!!^ ^^^ invented a machine of his own for sowing gypsum. He says •-
I sowiit sfxt- srven'tC" yea^^ltM^'lt^^s XcK ^ --'''^« ^^ .-J'".^' ^•^P^-'
Mr. Allan says : —
l^^^li^'^^iZt^^^Zh^^^^'i^^.^^^^^^^ hill along with the corn seed,
land In the spring. It is"sown broadcast."""" ^" ' '-"" '°°° ^' '^^"^ "'"'"'"' ^'^'^ ^° «° '^e
OYPSJ^M, BONE-DUST, AND PHOSPHATES.
401
" By sowing land plaster as early as possible it meets the spring rains and heavy dew,
imparting strength to the plants, thereby protecting the roots from the heat of the sun, and
keeping the soil cool and moist. The clover thus treated must give a better yield than if left
to combat the dry weather without assistance.
"For clover it should be sown early, say about the first week in April, never less than
100 pmunds to the acre on light soil. Then, after the plant is well started, say about the first
or second week in May, a second top-dressing of fifty pounds to the acre. The trouble and
slight additional expense will be well repaid. Fifty cents' worth of land plaster applied in
this way will produce an average gain of over $3 per acre over a crop not treated with gypsum.
"The value of gypsum as a manure is because of its solubility. It dissolves in water to
the extent of one part in four hundred and sixty-one. One imperial gallon of water will dis-
solve one ounce of gypsum. If the land be deficient in lime, the gypsum will act because of
the lime which it contains, as well as the sulphuric Lcid. Sulphate of lime is more likely to
benefit red clover, and sulphate of potash the white. The kind of manure used, and the quan-
tity, ought to be determined by the nature of the soil and the crop to be raised."
Some farmers complain they get no results from their plaster, when, on inquiry,
it has been found they had used only some 50 pounds to the acre. In this, as in
some other cases, the truest economy is to be found in liberality.
Professor Brown, it will have been noticed, uses 200 pounds of gypsum to an
acre of land, in conjunction with other manures.
Mr. Telfer uses 100 pounds of plaster to 200 pounds of salt per acre. Mr.
Perley sows six or seven tons of gypsum every year, and about the same amount of
salt. Mr. Barrie uses about 200 pounds to the acre. Mr. Elliott mixes salt and
plaster in the proportions of about 200 pounds of each.
It has been alleged that gypsum after a time loses its e^ect. In the letter
written by the late Hon. Geo. Brown, quoted above, it will be observed there is a
probable cause assigned for this. There is no evidence at all to show that even if
persistently and liberally applied it will act injuriously. The evidence, at all
events, of the very intelligent persons whose experience is above detailed, not only
encourages the use of this fertilizer, but indicates that hitherto far too little advan-
tage has been taken by the agriculturists of Ontario of the rich contribution to
their needs nature has provided almost close to their doors.
ia 1
•»l
BONE SUPERPHOSPHATE.
The value of bones as manure is very generally understood, although too seldom
practically acknowledged by their use. Canada, according to Mr. Daniel Lamb, of
Toronto, a witness before the Commission, enjoys the not very creditable position
of being "the only agricultural country in the world that exports bones." The
bone that would be invaluable as a fertilizer of our soil is sent to the United States,
where it is manufactured for use on the crops of the American farmer. Mr. Lamb
says : —
" Of all the material we handle that can be turned into 8uperpho>.phates we export ninety-
five per cent., and only manufacture five per cent, for use in Canada. That ninety-fis'e per
cent, we export in the shape of bone. We export over 2,000 tons of bone annually from
Canada. We do not export superphosphates, but manufacture just sufficient to meet the
demand. It would not pay to manufacture for export, as the sulphuric acid is dearer here
than in the United States. We manufacture about 100 tons of superphosphates annually,
" The use of superphosphates is very limited at the present time. Canada is the only
agricultural country in the world that exports bones. These bones are sent to the United
States and manufactured into fertilizers there — where there are many works that manufacture
30,000 tons a year. The amount of superphosphates imported into this country is very limited.
There is no duty on it ; all fertilizing materials are free. But we supply, practically, the
whole demand, with the exception of mineral phosphates."
As the firm to which Mr. Lamb belongs is the only one manufacturing bone
superphosphate in the country, and their sales are but some 100 tons annually, it
is evident the quantity of this fertilizer used is quiie insignificant. Mr. Lamb may
supply one explanation of that circumstance when he says : —
' ' It should not be applied where there is a limestone formation, because the lime absorbs
the Rv.lphi'.rif. Acv] cnntained in the soluble phr.i^phate?, and causes it to revert back into
insoluble phosphates, and depreciates it one-naif its value. On such land I would always
recommend the use of bone dust."
I
402 ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
flom, and whether any one was prepared to eive evirlpnoA «rai ^„ ,i M^Anwiy is
to the permanent orLtinuous'effLs of l^erphospha^^^^^ T'tJ tr^"r7iaS
Hon. George Brown's statement, dated Seotember ISfli ^AC^ \.tA ^ V i**®
Lamb was very favourable, but geneS. ffaT of Mr V WhSw^'^fV fl'
field of Sll'Ke%1rt1e'oCst?nrthe t^^^^^^^ "'^l^ ^^ ™« ^-* «--" on a
field getting no manure of an v kin^ A^ll fU .^ *^^ °^ *^® diflferent manures ; a part of the
Lot wiih°finoTJ"]r^ of any kind produced at the rate of. 360 bushels per acre
l.ot with 600 bs. bone dust per acre, cost $7.50 534 " Per^acre.
^ot with 3a0 lbs. superphosphate of lime per acre, cost,
T in.lii^ing freight, $7.50 ' go^
Lot with 220 lbs. superphosphate lime, 7 loads of manure
per acre , ggg „ „
"The superphosphate of lime was purchased bv me ("romP T?T,v«,Kirn t
o't.rcot&r^" pay to purchase th^ese manure^ f^ J-'lTav^e y^ur^'r^^d^fsMH^^^^^
A letter from Mr. George Woodnflf, of the County of Huron, was as follpws -
I purchSS7ou 'n'tf nS"? IppffiKtM^ f °f ^°^^ Z' '}"' superphosphate
hnf^L^^^f '°^"*f- ^?"-^/«« «f these letters there would of course be no doubt
but there the practical evidence adduced by Mr. Lamb ended. '
Very frankly and courteously Mr. Lamb responded to the request of the Com
missioners, to be informed as to the actual ingredients of his superphosDhate Hp
presented an analysis made by Professor Heyl, of Toronto, as fSows -
PhaZt'^oftf s^lr^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^'-^ ^^^-^ oi Chemistry and
Moisture „.„ .
Insoluble phosphates o?.^l P®' <^^°*-
Soluble phosphates %.^% ,.
Ammonia '..'.'.'.'.'.'.'..'..'. o-ll '«
Soda salts ^.12 ..
Organic matter nr.tn .«
Sulphate of lime, etc •■•' i ^ !"!.'!'.!!".!'. 1 .■'.'.■■.■. i.'/. '. 18-46
Mr Lamb's own statement in regard to the foregoing analysis is as follows :-
which is also of nominal value. That leaves 14-86 npromif^fa!;i,,KU u ^'"P^a'^e of hme,
year," ' — " ° — """" "'' ""v 'ni"a"ic lu mo sccona or tiurd
GYPSUM, BONE-DUST, AND PHOSFHATES. 403
The U8e of converting the. phosphate of lime into superphosphate by the action
of sulphuric acid, la to render it immediately soluble. If anybody wants to buy
phosphate of hme, he may do so in the shape of bone dust, in which it is the chief
ingredient, which will be slower in its effects becoming absorbed more gradually
but still represents value received. But what strikes the mind at once on lookin<i
at Mr. Lambs evidence, and Professor Heys' analysis, is the very small quantity o1
superphosphate the purchaser receives for hir, money. If he buys common salt he
gets from 97 to 98 per cent, of pure salt or chloride of sodium. If he buys Cana-
<iian gypsum, according to Mr. Merrlfs evidence, he receives close upon 80 per
cent of pure sulphate of lime. But, if he buys Mr. Lamb's superphosphate, he has,
on the truth|il and straightforward information of Mr. Lamb himself, only about
eight per cett. of the article he is paying some $30 per ton for. It may be con-
venient to reduce these figures to the form of an actual transaction represented by
the P^J-chase of, say, five tons (10,000 lbs.) of superphosphate. First the buyer
would get 964 lbs. of water, worth nothing. Then he would get 1,846 lbs. of
EFoo 7u (^"^P^'^*® o? ^''"«)' '"^orth at Toronto some 186 per ton. Then he would get
J,5»U lbs. of organic matter, or animal matter, and worth possibly the same as
gypsum per ton. These ingredients represent 5,390 lbs. out of 10,000 lbs . or
under-—"™ *^^ ^^"^ ^^°^® ^^^^' ^"^^ ^^^^ ^°"^** ^® ^°''*^ "^^^^^ ^^
964 lbs. water •
1,846 lbs. sulphate of lime, say ....!. ! '. . *....'.!!....!,..'.[ ^ 5 50
2,580 lbs. organic matter, say .."..!!".!!.!!!!!!!!!!!!! 7 74
Cost of 5,390 lbs J13 24
Granting that the proportion termed insoluble phosphates is, although more
tardily, still valuable, and that the ammonia and soda are also valuable, the fact
remains, that, after dedticting the amount for which 5,380 lbs. of water, gypsum
^Pio^n^*^"'! ™*l*®''' '" the proportions named, could be bought, the farmer .would
? , ^^iL*"""' ^""^ P^'? !^^^ ^°'' *'620 pounds, or a little over 2A tons, approxi-
mately ^o5 per ton, and that, not for what he was supposed to be buying, but, as
to two-thirds of It what he had not bargained for. Very valuable manure, per-
chance, but not <;ie manure he supposed himself to be paying $30 a ton for. In
fact, out of the whole five tons, or 10,000 lbs., costing, at $30 per ton, the sum of
»150, he gets only 792 lbs. of the genuine article. The wh. le combination may
form a useful manurial agent, but, reduced to its component parts, the modest pro-
portion of the soluble phosphate i'-esistibly calls to mind, "the ha'porth of bread
to an intolerable deal of sack." Somo farmers met with by the Commissioners,
however, have used the bone superphosphate with advantage. Mr. Barrie, of Gait,
says : — o > i
^.•a.ril^'^^® T^u ^°°® BupenAoaphate this year, made in Toronto, It is just frreen bones
^ssolved m sulphuric acid, with a bmall amount of animal matter in it. My experience of
^hthi'Tv f^uV^^^'f^^u^J ^"^'ed it on my barley crop, with the fertilizing drill
which I spoke of ; but the drill did not work very satisfactorily, and I only got a small por-
tion of it sown. Where I did sow it, it had a very decided efiFect in causing the barley to
hTf^T^a ^'"^i""'"*"'^^ *^*y^ *."'¥'■'. ?"^'"8'^'"8f * ^^'y b"Sht appearance to the straw;
bnt 1 have had no opportunity of deciding whether it increased the yield or not. I sowed
some of It on the turnips this year, and so far it looks as if it had a beneficial effect on them,
ihe turnips on wrhich it has been sown have taken a considerable lead of those which are
without It. It caused a very rapid growth of the turnips early in the season, and that pro-
tects the plants from the fly to a great extent. I find that gypsum does the same thing, but
not to the same extent as the superphosphates. I have apt tried salt alone for that. "
Mr. James Thomson, of Brooklin, formerly used it freely, and, although it then
cost him $40 a ton, he sayj he is satisfied he got his money back, and a ^ood per-
centage besides. Some dissatisfaction with the article supplied led Mr. Thomson
to relinquish the use of the superphosphate. He now uses bone-dust, costing $27
per ton, and says :- -" I applied 350 Lo 400 Iba. it) tjie acre. . . . Timothy, upon
which it is sown, is twice as good a crop as that without it."
ii
II:
404
ONTARIO AGBICULTOBAL COMMISSION.
Professor Bell says :—
the ZSate" mafbeSe™ wH^^^^^^^ ''^ 'H ^T'^'' ^^ Q"«bec. that
and that the beneticial Xct wm iL^nrl ^^ ^"" i"-? ^"Perphosphates if finely ground,
substances wkTh are perSiir nsdurin^ Z*"""*' '^ ""* « V"'^*^''"' ^ *h«'« ^^« '""^"y
minuted. I think it is fol t on th„ ri^r/ f / ""*^^' ^^'^'^ ^^""""e ^ol^^^le when com-
a..ricarura7p^dSct7l\*rhV™^^^^ the principal ingredient in bones, enter, into
ttoiiouiiurai products, may bo estimated from the fact noticed hv Mi- mmHU
worth, of Toronto, another witness. Mr. Shuttleworth says _ "^ '"
weigh?.' l\isSrriercttl?ed1n*n^ilk°"T:f' -"^t'.T^Pf '"« ^ gKat part of their
SIX pounds, which one cow will take fro?n the pSts of the soU d. - ' / ,ar7 ^'
Mr. Shuttleworth goes on to say :
apatii, or nativTKphX of iTi^^°^^^^ contaming not more than forty per cent. ; or (4)
He remarks, too : —
still m?,;;'r:ri]y!''fc;ZTu^ P'^^^P^**!*^ T^^^'^ '^'"^ -Pr«"t««
unprepared bv arid Tha /ffAf -,* } ^■' ^"iK^^ " * ^^''^ valuable manure, even when
biifcthpIffVfL i 1 i he effect of one dressmg of bones has been observed for sixtv vears
in *?? ""Z^^^ *^® advisability but the great importance of using phosphate of lime
m the most convenient or economical form is thus apparent. ^lF3be observed
that Professor Brown uses 300 lbs. of bone dust per ac^r^ in his manurill opSatTons
MINERAL SUPERPHOSPHATE.
«„oT!'!-'"'"®'S^ supeiTphosphate is, as already mentioned, obtained in verv laree
quantities in Eastern Ontario and iri the Ottawa co-uUies of Quebec A Seat deS
of activity has been displayed by some persons in the effort to secure ittuTe amoni
i^B?ockX bpin/T'"°!,' ^f "i^-^ little, success, the price, ^3.3 to fSper 2
withTt Mr' ShSfinT,!^*^^' objection in the eyes of man u experinianting ,
wthtLproduc<Jono?Th« Vm°'^' * manufacturing chemist, but not connected
h?8 evidpSoP «niv *^« f J'^le iV^y way, gave the Commissioners the benefit of
bie TertS. "ffe Lys^:5""^ '^ *^' ^''^*"*^'^" "^ agriculturists to try this valua-
he had^foV^'n^S^orvrft'rre"^^ 7''V^ '^^ '^'"^^""^ ^'''^'' ^^^^^^^ ™« that
Mr. Shuttleworth thus explains the composition of the phosphate and ita
conversion into superphosphate. He says:— pnospnate ana its
" The mineral (ina.t.it'« as fo'i"^l ir f-Trl- — =i=«-a -t c ^ , = ,
OYPSUM, BONE-DUST, AND PHOSPHATES.
405
phone acid. In this form it is almost insoluble in water, anrl is of little value to land In
wder to render the phosphoric anid soluhle, bo that it may be assimilated by plants, it has to
be changed in its chemical constitution, so that the proportion of lime to phosphoric acid
shall only be one-third that of the native phosphate ; that is, twenty-eight parts of lime to
seventy-one of phosphoric acid."
Of the important part played by phosphoric acid in the economy of the vegetable
kingdom, Mr. Shuttloworth saya :— ^ a
"Phosphoric acid, or its salts, is a constituent of all fertile soils. In such, the quantity
present varies from one-tenth of one to one per cent. It is the characteristic coastituent of
the s.eeds of plants. Johnson,* whose work on agricultural chemistry I cannot too strontrlv
recommend to the farming community, says that one acre of wheat, say 25 bushels, contains
ounds"" Pnosphoric acid; an aero of barley, 25 pounds ; hay. 15 pounds ; and turnips, 54
With a view to cheapness, if it could be secured, Mr. Shuttleworth was asked
whether the farmer could not become his own superphosphate manufacturer pur-
chasmg the apatite or mineral phosphate in a crude state, and the acid, and making
the superphosphate on the farm. He says :—
_ ''Supposing a farmer to have a quantity of apatite, ground to an impalpable powder, he
might convert It into superphosphate by mixing three parts with two parts of ordinary sul-
phuric acid, diluted with about eight times its weight of water, stirring thoroughly The
operation might be performed in a strong wooden box or trough, made of one and a-half inch
pine, with water-tight joints, For continued use the trough should be lined with sheet lead
with_ burned seams, but for occasional employment this would not be necessary. After the
acid IS thoroughly mixed, and the conversion into superphosphate complete, the mass should
he allowed to solidify, or be mixed with ashes, sand, or some absorbent materials."
But the first condition would be the hardest to obtain, namely, the reduction of
the apatite to an impalpable powder. On this point Mr. Shuttleworth says : —
"The manufacture of the superphosphate might be carried on by the farmer, but the
thorough powdering of the apatite, which is an essential step in the process, would be an
almost insuperable difficulty. _ The apparatus for grinding is costly, and, were the powdered
rock to be purchased, the saving would be inconsiderable. It has recently been demonstrated
that the eftciency of the superphosphates is largely dependent on the pulverization- of the
apatite. Manufacturers m the Southern States, where large quantities of superphosphates
are used for tobacco and sugar crops, are now very particular about this matter, not only to
«ttect a saving of acid, but to increase the value of the manure."
He adds : —
1 n '^'^.t'''^ everything into account, I think the preparation of the fertilizer would be better
left to the manufacturers. The freight on the ground rock would be almost as heavy as on
the superphosphate ; the hand ing of acid would be dangerous in unskiUed hands; and the
finwhed product would probably be inferior to that which might be purchased from reliable
p&rtii6Sa
USB OF SUPERPHOSPHATE AS MANURB.
Mr. Neil J. Campbell, already alluded to in a previous chapter, a farmer of
Nelson Township, Halton County, has raised large crops by the aid of the mineral
superphosphate. Mr. Campbell was examined by the Commissioners as to his ex-
perience. He farms, with his brother, some 800 acres of land, and tried his experi-
ments on a bold and liberal scale. He says : —
" We fallowed two fields, and ploughed and cultivated them in the same way. Thi soil
of the two helds was similar, rnd the cropping upon them had been the same. They had aen
as we thought, pretty well exnausted. We had sown one field two years in succession and
1 j" 7^? *'"'®^ °^ *^** ^^^^ Y® covered with barn-yard manure to the extent of about twenty
loads to the acre, and upon the balance of the field we put 250 pounds of mineral superphos-
phate to the acre." rf
The results are then detailed as follows : —
"From the time the blade appeared, any person could see the very place where the two
manures were separated. The blade from the barn-yard manure came up quicker ; the other
came up very strong, and looking like barley, and it maintained that position during the
* Johnson's Lectures on Agricultural Chemistry.
406
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
Vo^il^r^i^Zl^^t:- "''* '^""*"" •' ''' *« '^« comparative cost. On thi.
we used would be worth about ilS in the S The ooHt nf Hr^'^ cents a load, so that what
land is very nearly equal to the cost of the Bnn«rnhn«nhA u""^!?*^ " *"** P""">» '«^ «" *»»«
more expensive. At that rate the barn vlr!rml^..^^'t*® altogether, and is therefore much
superphosphate was wS T. S^d feeTritTeartL^lrs'^et Jhiram:;:^'^ ^''' '^°'' *»>^
Hero there was a clear saving of $10, or 85 ner acm hfi«;,1»<. fi,. „
The effects, too, appeared to remain, for Mr. Campbell says •-
very rinkX'e°tZUn„7thr„?iike it^Th'e t^'r ''i^^ '^'^'^ the growth of timothy was
third year of the experimenKd ! still se^ n^differen™."''" "* ^^'' '^' ^'^' ^^"'''^ '« 'he
The next experiment was with tlie superphosphate alone :-
field, but'soied 'a portTonTit'Vith rupeVoSnhaY/ ''1 ?! '^P^^^ '^^^'y-^ '"'^'^-e to that
We put on 375 Ibs.^to t^e acre Id we Ccf & five bushlf * ^f P^.^^^^/'thout any manure,
time, an advance of ten bushels to the acre from addinroni h/lf^^*' *". ^'l" '"'[' ** '>'*'-^«««^
general ingredients it was the samesoifTn both fields the «i^LT'![^ "^ phosphate. In its
th.t"wpz?;;".iSdZ f^z^sA^^i^it:: 'yiVv"*"" *» "■? •"" "»» ■-*•
lem. Our »venig«, I donl think wonlH h. m™ •k?.'^'. S»"« y»»" "« get more .nd lome
of ths u«, of .TpirphoTphi. wU thS w« ^rttlT {I"',"";?*' '° """ *'■« '«»"
K-^K!i?ors,r£xfuy:^^°°°^^-
against a gain on the oZ 3 whS of a? IZZ^ ',". '""^^ "g"'"' 'O-e*.
above the Ltherbeneaci^rlutt^l-lrng^^^^^^ Pnoe-~«20 over and
thea'f ^pS^tS*r 'K;,'?!"'- ^■^"°"' •'*™° '^ '-"-■ - "> 'he «.e of
i. deBcient iS pho.phate. that Ev are uSl %„?„ ?tl,'T"*-K " " ?»')" "■>»■■ tlV.oil
normal con.tituentS ot a .oil may L Se.ent Ih.v SliJ K ? 'l." '''"T' *,*' ">»»* »11 ^'
tei- "* »' "'"■*™ - -"• »^'for„te„rt "'atrbrassrv-ittrate
«, tW.'^SSnrvfaSd otrb'yS '£ ™K1 """'"^ .T' ""■" ?'«"' >» defioi.nt but
a,»-vit^.£SSS^^^^
SPECIAL CROPS— FLAX.
407
CHAPTER XIV.
SPECIAL CEOPS.
The time at the dispcaal of the Commissioners did not pennit of any minute or
extensive inquiries into the profitableness or applicability to the wants of the
?h!l"&! crops that may be termed specialties in agriculture. Investigations of
this kind to be effectual require patient obserN-ation and careful and minute investi-
mnrffilf 7f *M °?""°." '^'''^f y ?.^ confidence can be formed from them, and are
more fitted to the functions of a Bureau than to the means at the command of a
inTu^'T^ Commission. Incidentally however, the growth of flax, tobacco, beans,
and sorghum were touched upon in the course of taking evideuoe, and mav be
briefly noticed in the present chapter. ' ^
FLAX.
mnn^""" J"°:. I^°"aldson, Dominion Immigration Agent at Toronto, has devoted
TmnM . ""^r .*° f -^ cultiva ion, and is the author of a rather widely circula ed
pamphlet on that subject. Visiting Ireland some years ago, he gathered up all the
information he could on this question, and on his return, by .neetings and the
pamphlet already mentioned, sought to induce farmers to undertake flax-growine
as a branch of agricultural industry. The Counties of Wellington, Waterloo! Perth
and Oxford are the prmcipal sites of flax-growing enterprise, which is more par-
te ularly carried on by settlers of German extraction. For fibre, the chief market
is the btates, the manufacture of that portion of the product being confined in
Canada to twines, ropes cordage, and seamless bags. There are two oil mills as
already mentioned in the evidence of Mr. R. W. Elliott-one at Toronto owAed
by that gentleman ; the other by the Messrs. Livingston, at Baden. The demand
Mr Dorallon"s"a ™-- *"" *^^ adaptability of Ontario for the growth of flax,
A.J1^^^ ^®^* ^*"^ ^°' ^^^ '^ ? "°^' ^"^^^^ ^^^y' a"d a good subsoil. If you find land of thJa
description you can grow flax in any part of Canada. It has been discussed whether flax s
^ntra^^op^nion?^' *^"' ^"' *^""* '^ """"^ "^ *^« "P^"^*''* '^^^ '* '« ^ thSr^^'^ "'the
^nlf /wt^T'"^ frequently sow flax after wheat, when the land is rich and in good tilth. It is
wftWfd^"'''*''^*- /' n'l'''^.^' *° '^^^«^l cultivated before the seed is sown ; then harrow
TnH A ?f • M™"^' ^""^ '■°"- ^^"ne''^ know quite well enough how to grow flax. A bushd
t^tl ^k" **»« Pr"P«>- *"«"«* to sow per acre. If the plants are few per acre, you have a
rougher fibre, and if you want a fine fibre you have to seed thick, about two bushels per acre."
Mr. John Beattie, of Seaforth, says :—
"I grow flax myself. Quite a number of farmers about here are growing it also. Flax
does very wel on rough land, which is newly broken up. The class of soil I prefer for it is a
& l?<^ ^ bght 80.1 does not do., I do not think flax is hard on the soil, because I have
had good crops after it I thmk it is a good thing to seed down with on old land. But I
think a man. m order to make the cultivation of flax a paying business, must go into a
trerman settlement where they will grow flax. ^ ■> o , -b" »"«■"»
*!.• 1^}^^}^ \ X.^'"y e'^cellent thing to spread upon land to make grass grow. I have had. I
I sSad flax'on the l3 ^"''^° ^'""""^ ^'''' *°'^ ^ '^"'^'^ ^°°^ ''"^ '"^^^'^ ^^' '^ ^^^^^^ ^^^
ran l^.f^i'^^^fl"^ ^*^ requires more manure than any other crop. I am of opinion that you
can grow good flax on a field where you cannot grow wheat at all. Good strong land is not
o?d'fipTl 15";?^ ^ clean land f he best paying crop of flax that I had was grown on an
S n^«'fll^ I M ^ *r"^^^ ^ ^^^^^^ with some thistles. A farmer, to make flax-grow-
ing profitable, should not sow more than ten to fifteen acres on a hundred-acre farm. The
have V r^ thing to rot the sod, and I have seen just as good fall wheat after flax as I
Mr. Beattic's estimate of the cost of raising a crop of flax is as follows :
"The cultivation of flax is very expensive ; hand labour is^ nearly altogether required.
406
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
Oalctilatmff seed, rent of land, plonghinK, and drawing, it would cost about $19 to get the
product of one acre to tlio uiill. Another way we hiHulle the Hax ia to furnUh the farmer
with the Heed, and i)ay hini $12 a ton for his flax. Wo usually estimate on a crop of two tons
to the acre undreHsed.
" The undressed flax coats me about $19 an acre. The flax business, at these prices, would
pay very well, provided you could gut a good crop, but you cannot gain anything if you have
to handle a bad crop."
Mr. Donaldson says as to tho custom generally prevailing in regard to flax culti-
vation : —
"There are no dangers to the cultivation ol flax in this country at all. It stands the
heat well, and it comes in between the hay and wheat harvest as a rule. The millers adopt
the plan of giving the farmers 812 a ton, they in the first nlace furnishing the seed to the
farmers, and afterwards deducting the price of the seed, when the stuff comes to the mill.
At that price they would realize, <m an average, $24 per acre, the price of carrying it to the
mill being included in that figure. There would be from 200 to 300 pounds of clear scutched
fibre per acre, according to the quality of the flax."
Mr. Donaldson, it will be observed, by the following quotation from his
evidence, puts the cost of growing flax at a much lower figure than Mr. Beattie.
He bays : —
" It is chiefly in Wellington, Waterloo, Perth, and Oxford they grow the most flax.
You can rent land for flax in Waterloo from $i to $3 an acre. Seed is worth $1 a bushel, and
it would rec^uire one and a half bushels to the acre. I think $8 would cover all the expenses
of an acre, mcluding seed. Of course you can't fix the exact amount, because it depends on
the nature of the land and other things. $10 would cover all expenses, manuring and every-
thing."
The extent of the profit on flax -growing will depend probably to a very large
extent upon the facilities of the fanner who engages in it for obtaining the amount
of hand bbour required at a cheap rate. That, with favourable seasons, it may
be made a profitable crop, is tolerably clear. " Mr. Donaldson says : —
" The time for sowing is as early as you can get on the land in the spring. Flax is gene-
rally harvested by hand. There is no i^reparation before it goes to the mill except to dry it.
It is bound up in small bundles, stooked and left to dry a few days, then taken to the mill
and either housed or stacked out. At the mill, they have a machine for taking off the seed,
which they can do very rapidly. I hold that, in all parts of Canada, we have land fit for the
cultivation of flax."
The Commissioners strongly recommend the persual, by farmers whose land and
arrangements generally are suited to flax culture, of Mr. Donaldson's pamphlet,
which contains much useful informatioi of the most practical nature on this topic.
TOBACCO.
The cultivation of tobacco was only met with by the Commissioners in Kent and
Essex. It was formerly carried on in those counties to a considerable extent, but
present prices give it no encouragement, and the tendency has been, for some time
to limit the growth to very small proportions. Mr. McGregor, in his report, saya :—
" I don't think tobacco culture is profitable in Essex at the present time, or likely to be-
come so. I don't think that there would be any advantage in growing it. It costs a large
amount to cultivate it. It requires the richest soil, and it is susceptible to the frost. The
market is also very fluctuating. The fancy for tobacco made from the plant grown in Canada
ha& passed away in favour of tobacco made in the South."
Mr. J. P. McKinlay, of the Township of Howard, Kent, who formerly grew
tobacco pretty largely, udmitted that only the coarser sorts could be grown in On-
tario, namely, the Connecticut Seed Leaf, and Thickset varieties, as those cultivable.
Farmers used to plant from one to seven acres, and realized in a good season about
1,500 pounds to the acre, or even more in some few exceptional cases. Mr. Mc-
Kinlay says : —
" We generally succeeded in curing it in sheds and houses built for that purpose under cover.
If it were not for the troublesome restrictions imposed by the Government, I think tobaco
could be grown here with profit, and we could grow a good article.
"It is an excellent crop to prepare land for wheat, as the soil has to be so well cultivated.
Even during the American war, no one went exclusively into tobacco-growing, so that tae croi>
did uut work auy mischief to the uia^ricf.
SPECIAL CROPS— BEANS.
409
' The tobacco worm was troublegome to the leaves sometimes • an.l if Jf u,.. un -i
C^^&n«." -""^«-'^»« I'-"- "' the crop, but it wa«7n?a:Vm^"'le;\^rrcl^*e'ilT;
He adds, however : —
" '^^.« cultivation of tobacco is almost extinct in this district at the present time Tf wnnU
1^ or'2fcl'"\°'"P ^!i *•*" '*r*^ *^ 'V^«^« '""» «'>"«nued, but when a man had a f ann If
whicK£|^-Z'£^^^^^ rSSg -e tb^Hce.
BEANS.
If not confined entirely to the two counties of Essex and Kent beans ira nn a
large scale grown there chieflv, and appear to be both a proSfiT^fana Zular' crop
Thej. are, however str.ctly a focal crop doing well in certain situations^offy in the
^stncts referred to. For instance, Mr. McKinlay, who grows them extensively!
the£SVe"m^^
Thejand .8 also more heavily timbered. I am now referring to the region where Cs/onot
follows:-'^ ^"'^ preparation for bean culture is alluded to by Mr. McKinlay as
" They succeed best on a sandy loam with a clay sub-soil, or on a eravel loam with «. nnr
ZlEV.t'±^^'..!:-.t}'^^l ^^^^ ^?od drainie.. The'best'moTorpVepadn"g knX"
mg plough. The oftener it is harrowed and cultivated the leas trouble there will be
with the gang
with weeds.
5th ta^thl ?mh*nf ^f °* " **lu^l' "■ ""^^y i"^"°'J' «««*^ ^^'^- The best time to plant is from the
oth to the 10th of June, as that gives a long time to work the land. The obiect is to cive the
weeds a start and then kill them, so that there will be no trouble wHh them afterwards
i t 1m^^ ^T"^ '■^^"J'"';' J'^«^ *b«"* *h« «*™« treatment as for wheat, and " the brans are nut
Z th^'T' 1 ^^ff^^' -**''**,'' P'^^P^'^y ^"^k^'J' » ?»"'! '"•op may be expected. We grow beans
in%*oUtTorwith'ofc7opl '''''' ''"* '' '' ""* '«-^ P'-"-- " i-iBerTo'gTow
The descriptions grown are, the Marrowfat, a large bean; the Navv a small
bean ; and the Med urn, which, as its name implies, is of a size betwein the To
previously mentioned, and is the variety most generally grown "''''^^^" '^^ ^'^'^
yield hVSys''^-"'^'"^ ^^*"'* ^''' ^''^''^''y P"*« ^^ *i* *« $15 Per acre. Of the
''The yield per acre will correspond very nearly with the yield of wheat that is frnm
twenty to forty bushels per acre ; thfrty bushels woufd be a good av™. I havfoften^r soU
beans at «l.2o than at $1.50 ; about 95 cents is as low as they get. I should thfnk that for th«
He adds :—
i. , fi ^ *]"n'^ ^'^f.V^ *" increasing area under cultivation-this year especially. When there
ll^i^"^vf "' ^""^ *'lf P',"Pl^ ^" ^ ¥ «f Pl"US,'hing, so that there is plenty of and ready in thi
spring, they generally plant a good many beans. Wheat doing so well the last few years has
had somethmg to dp with stimulating the cultivation of beans ^
Ploughing sod in the fall or spring for beans, is the next best thing to sun imer-f allowing
for a wheat crop, and we get the two crops for nearly the labour of one." '""'™®'^ tallowing
The market for beans is ]aror«ly in tha TT.,;*-.^^ iatT.ta-
ceing among the largest consumers.
27
the Miehigan luinbermea
410
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
The chief onauaUy from which tlio bean crup Buffers is u wet harvest, which
causes diocolourution, and cnnsoquontlv ii groat deterioration in market va'ue of the
bean, although tiot prevonting its use tor feed.
Mr. McKinlay concluded his evidence on this subject as follows : —
"The iitraw of the bean makesi exoellunt food for Hheep. I have not given my sheep any
hay in winter for years ; they prefer bean straw to pea straw, I think.
" Ueans do not suflFer at all from insects or diseases, except that in very hot weather, if
the blossoms are out, they are apt to bllKht. I have never seen the frost take them in the
fall before they were ripe, but wn are in the habit of planting them much earlier than we
used to. Those that were plant<4<l later produced heavier crops, but there is far more risk in
tiarvesting then>. When tnoy got damaged by the weather, wo have to hand-pick them, and
that is a very tedious job."
HORnUUM.
Reference has already been made to the report of Mr, Hilborn, a member of the
Commission, on the growth of sorghum in the States, and the experiments of
GenenU Lo Due, the Commissioner of Agriculture at Washington, on the manufac-
ture of sugar from Indian corn. In regard to the manufacture of sugar and molasses
from sorghum, Mr. McGregor says : —
*' We also manufacture a large (piantlty of sorghum into molasses. The plant grows very
successfully with us, and the product is used by farmers' families. Large (luantities of it are
used in manufacturing apple sauce, or apple butter as they call it. There is not much sold by
wholesale, but I believe it would be profitable if it were manufaeturoJ on a large scale. Onf»
man has live or six acres, and he gets about six barrels of molasses to the acre, or about 300
gallons. It sells at about 50 cents a gallon."
Mr. Alanson Elliott, in his evidence on farming, also alludes to the sorghum
crop, and describes the process of manufacture as follows : —
"We cultivate just about enough sorghum for our own use. One man has four or five
acres, and he makes it for those around him, charging them 15 cents a gallon. It is raised
just about the same as a crop of corn. Sorghum yields from four to six barrels of thirty-two
gallons each per acre. The most we have sold it for is 50 cents per. gallon, out of which we-
pay 16 cents tor manufacturing. That would be about .S60 per acre. We consider it a profit-
able crop to raise, though the demand is not sufficient for us to go into it lartjely. Our syrup
is not as good as the golden syrup, but it is much better than the old West India molasses,
and only requires refining to make it of excellent quality.
" We cannot raise wheat after sorghum, because it comes in too late. We sometimes leave
the sorghum in the ground till the frost comes, because we find that the quality of the syrup
is Improved by a slight touch of frost. If we had a certain market at $iO per acre, it would
be grown more largely ; if we were selling it to wholesale men the price would be reduced, but
it would pay at a wholesale price of even 830 an acre. We plant corn after a sorghum crop,
but we do not nlough it in the fall, because it is too late. The roots are a little more compact
than com stubble, but they do not give us any ronl trouble.
"In the first place the plant is stripped of tlie leaves, which are left on the ground and
fed to cattle ; then the seed is cut off, and the stalks are put up in piles and hauled to the
mill. Some are tied up in bunches. It has the appearance of broom corn more than anything
else, and is bable to mix with that plant if they are growing side by side. If growers were
content with a smaller profit, I think the market might be extended considerably. Nothing
is done with the refuse, at the mill ; it is either left to rot or is burnt up. It is said that the
amber cane can be manufactured into sugar, and that is an earlier crop than sorghum, though
perhaps a little late to follow it by a wheat crop. We could not raise sorghum ao that it
would take the place of the better class of syrups."
AGRWVLTURAL EDUCATION.
411
CHAPTER XV.
agkicoltural education and farm
accounts:
The subject of agricultural education-doubtless with the view of the CommiB-
•loners making such suggestions as might commend themselves to their judKment
n favour of any improvement upon our present efforts in that direction so far as
they have gone, or with regard to the introduction of agricultural study int ^^^
?n hv^th T""'*"-*'"^ °^*^A' '""^J"™ 'P^r'^y '^^^"'''^ *"' •» his Minute to Coun
cil, by the Oommissioner of Agriculture. Time, however, did not admit <.f such an
examination of this question as vould have iustlKed the Commissioners in oxprSsinK
very decided «,p.nionfl upo,» any steps involving important changes, or a SaddT
tional expenditure ; but the work accomplished up to the present time in thifresnect
may be pronounced highly satisfactory, althougli we muit regard ourseves as%el
but upon the threshold of a grand experiment ^
Towards the close of their proceedings only were the Commissioners able to
devote time to the examination of witnesses whose evidence it was deemed de-irable
to obtain in connection with this branch of their inquiry Thev then invi,«^ TkI
attendance of Mr. James Mills. MA President of the'otio A^LuTtur^^^^^^^^^^^
of Professor Brown, a member of the Commission, Professor of Agriculture in the
prdeceTsor ""' " ""' -^"h"'*""' ^.A.. ex-President, Mr MiSh?
The two first-named gentlemen, by arrangement, confined their remarks chiefly
to ma ters connected witli the practical working of the College. Mr. Johnston, on
the other hand, dealt largely with the principles and methods of agricultural edica
tion generally, for which duty he had been good enough to prepare himself by con-
Biderable researches into such materials as were available for the purpose and bv
correspondencowitha large number of ag. cultural colleges and institutions, both
m the United States and on the Continent of Europe ; his acquirements as a linguist
enabling him to perform the latter part of the work with very great efficiency
The questions that presented themselves for consideration may be rou«hly stated
as follows : — " ^ ""«»*
Ist What is the work done, and how far has the work been successful at the
present Agricultural College ?
2nd. Is there room for the expansion of that institution, or for the establishment
of other schools of agriculture in the Province, and would such a step be desirable ?
3rd. Can agricultural education of a primary character be introduced successfuUv
into our public schools ? y^^aamuy
It may be desirable briefly to refer to the evidence of the three gentlemen named
on these several points. President Mills very concisely states the objects of the
College to be as follows : — .^ j ^^^ tuc
_ " The objects of the College and farm together are, first, to give theoretical and practical
instruction in husbandry to young men; who intend to follow either general mixed FaSn^
stock farming, or Bar.Iening ; and secondly, to conduct experiments tending to the so u«Si o^
questions of importance to the farming community, and to publish the results from time to
The system of education carried on is of the most thoroughly practical character
one-half of the students receiving instruction in-doors, while the other half arc
engaged in the work of the fann.
The stu«y of agriculture is the first and grand object of the curriculum and
I,
412
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
everything else is made subsidiary to that idea, no other education being imparted
than such as may give increased value and efficiency to agricultural study.
In addition to the regular course of instruction in the College, arrangements are
also made for a special course, commencing on the 1st October, and continuing until
the dlst March, for i ue accommodation of those young men who may be engaged
upon farms during the summer season, but who still wish to obtain such benefits
as may, in their circumstances, be practicable.
The students under this arrangement perform no manual labour, and the Pro-
fessors, by doing double work, give them the lectures in addition to the lectures of
the regular course, so that any one taking the term from 10th October to Slst
March can have the benefit of the whole year's lectures, and return home to work
on the farm early m April. It will be seen that this plan involves a large amount
of extra duty on the part of the Professors, which, however, the Commissioners
have no doubt, is cheerfully undertaken in view of the benefits that must be derived
therefrom by a very large number of young men, who would otherwise be debarred
altogether from the advantages of an agricultural education.
Any boy resident in the Province of Ontario, who is able to sign a written
declaration that he intends to be a farmer, and who is 15 years of a^^e, is eligible
on payment of a $25 fee annually, for admission to the College, on the same tirms'
as to educational requirements, as those upon which he could gain admittance to
any of the High Schools. While precedence is given to residents of Ontario, the
advanteges of the institution are open, on payment of a small additional fee, to the
sons of persons resident elsewhere. The students are paid for the work they per-
form, according to its value, at the rate of from five to ten cents per hour the
amount thus earned being credited to their board. '
The expenses are as follows -—Tuition fee, for ratepayers and bona fide residents
of the Province of Ontario, $25 a year ; for non-residents, $50 a year. Board and
washing charged at cost— about $2.25 a week. Every student is paid for his work at the
rate of from iive to ten cents an hour, and the amount thus earned is credited on
his board account, so that the entire outlay for tuition, board and washing is from
$35 to $50 a year to an Ontario farmer's son who understands ordinary farm work •
from $45 to $65 a year .to an Ontario T)oy who has not been trained to work on the
farm— such boys as come from the cities of the Province ; and from $65 to $85 a
year to a non- resident.
Notwithstanding the novelty of the experiment, so far as Ontario is concerned,
and of the difficulties incidental to a new undtrtaking, the applications for admis-
sion exceed the accommodation at the command of the institution. Extensions to
the building have been recently made, and 132 students are now in residence with
many more anxious to obtain admission as opportunities occur. '
^' One hundred and fifty," says Mr. Mills, " is the largest number we could ac-
commodate under the present arrangements. " Not a few of the students at college
are from the cities and towns, young men generally of fair education, the sons of
persons with some means, who desire to qualify tliemselves for farming on intelli-
gent principles, with such aids as capital may aflford. More than this, Mr. Mills
has the satisfaction of knowing that many farmers, whose elder sons took the col-
lege course, are now sending their younger sons to enjoy the advantages of the in-
stitution, and expressing their pleasure at observing the largely increased interest
which a knowledge of scientific principles and methods of agriculture have given
their elder sons in the business of farming.
Mr. Mills mentions, too, on the authority of Mr. Dyke, Dominion Emigration
Agent at Liverpool, that the college could be filled, if it were desirable, with young
men from Great Britain, willing to pay $400 or ^500 a year; and, while no idea
would probably be entertained of giving the benefits of the college to persons from
abroad, to the exclusion of Canadians, it is evident that, to open the way for
young men of education and capital from the mother country, to establish them-
selves as farmers m Canada, would be to proiiiute immigration of the most valuable
and acceptable character.
It is not pretended, however favourable the progress hitherto has been, that the
i
AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION. 413
Agricultural College is perfect in all its arrangements and appliances, and some mat-
ters that more or less urgently need attention were pointed out by the President.
rhe first of these is a thoroughly well-furnished laboratory. The room used for
that purpose at present, as Mr. Mills very rightly remarks, is hardly worthy of the
name. It will accommodate only two or three students at a time ; is about 8 bv 12
feet in size ; was never intended for a laboratory ; and, of course, in such an apart-
S the *uesHon ^^^^^^S or even conducting experiments efficiently is quite out
Every intelligent person knows that the teaching of agricultural chemistry, to be
of any value at all, must be practical, and the various operations of the chemist
must not only be orally described, but they must be worked out in detail and de-
monstrated m the presence of, or by, the students.
Education in chemistry without sufficient appliances to admit of this being done
is almost a farce. The cost of a properly furnished laboratory would be, Mr Mills
thinks, about $12,000. He mentions, incidentally, that the one at the Agricultural
College at Lansing, in T^Iichigan, without apparatus, cost $10,000. If a proper
laboratory were erpcted, with suitable apparatus, not only might the students
receive instruction in chemistry, but analyses of soilf= and other investigations of
interest both to individuals and to the Province at large, might be conducted by
the professor with the aid and greatly to the advantage of students.
The professor of chemistry, Mr. Panton, is believed by the Commissioners to be
an able and competent man, who only requires ordinary means to achieve all that
can be expected of lum This subject has, probably, already received the atten-
tion of the Government, and the Commissioners hope that the increasing interest
felt in the institution will justify its further liberal consideration. In addition to
the laboratory, a well-stocked library is also an essential to such an institution, the
present library being limited to a very few volumes
Another point referred to by President Mills was the shortness of the course
(two years) giving as it does too little time for the acquirement of proficiency in
agricultural studies, particularly where the student has no previous knowledge of
the profession. This is one of those matters upon which the Commissioners would
not desire to express a decided opinion, unless they had the opportunity of consid-
ering the point much more thoroughly than they have beerf able to do at the pre-
sent time. ^
The advantage of adding blacksmithing to other matters in which instruction is
given is obvious, it being almost as important for the farmer to know how to per-
^)rm simple operations in the working and manufacture of iron as in those of wood,
rhe expense of a small portable forge is, it is said, only about $25. It is possible,
therefore, that something m this direction might be done with advantage, and at a
very trifling cost. ° '
Scarcely less necessary than a laboratory or Ubiury is a museum. Mr Mills
says on this subject : —
"A museum at the College is much needed. We have quite a collection of insects
STm^A^m^'t^'f specimens,. but no place to keep them. I am safe in sa^Lg we
have $500 or $600 worth of specimens going to waste for want of a museum. The teachimr of
these branches must be imperfect, so long as we are without such a museum. The students
are encouraged to make collections of specimens, and they have done a good deal at it this
^',?l,mnrf"h*^^""^ f^ that entomology could not be taught efficiently without havin'- a
put ^hrspedmensfn.'-'^" ' ^"^ ^ '^'"^ '' "°"^^ ^' **"«^* '""^h better if we had one to
Prof Brown, while generally coinciding with his colleague in the suggestions
made with regard to the deficiencies which have yet to be supplied, also urged the
importance of the appointment of a professor of horticulture and botany. Perhaps
r vore ^.iipioycd it wuuld cover a larger ground, nicludmg, as
It then would entomology and ornithology, which might be usefully combined with
the studies of arboriculture or horticulture. At present the only instruction in
entomology is given by the Professor of Chemistry from a text-book.
The want of text-books is also strongly commented upon by Professor Brown.
'■' li
1
414
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
I think, says Professor Brown, " that a set of text-books is absolutely necessary.
If I am lecturing on any special department, I would like to place a hand-book on
that subject in the hands of the student ;" and then he gives the following list of
text-books as those wliich he proposes should be compiled primarily for the use of
the College, but also for the benefit of our whole agricultural population :
1. The Cultivation of Grain Crops.
2. The Cultivation of Pastures and Green
Fodders.
3. The Cultivation of Root Crops.
4. The Garden and its Crops.
5. The Growing of Fruit.
6. The Cultivation of Trees.
7. The Botany of the Farm.
8. The Chemistry of the Farm.
9. Soils and Geology.
10. The Mechanica of the Farm.
IL Road and Fence-making.
12. Farm Drainage.
13. Physiology and Diseases of Farm Ani-
mals.
! 14.
I
; 15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
Insects injurious and beneficial to Farm
Crops.
Manures.
Food and the Fattening of Farm Animals.
Cattle and their Management.
Sheep and their Management.
Horses and their Management.
Swine and their Management.
Poultry and their Management.
Bees and their Manaijement.
Management of the Dairy, and the mak-
ing of Butter and Cheese.
Agricultural Mathematirs and Book-
keeping.
The need for text-books has been mentioned in connection with other branches
of the Commissioners' enquiry.
Among the recommendations made by Mr. Brown were, that more time should
be allowed for the practical instruction of students, and more opportunities given
to impress the lectures of the class-room. The construction of model labourers'
cottages and a model farmer's residence were mentioned as matters which it was
desirable to bring to the notice of the Government. Mr. Brown also favours the
idea that, by offering a limited portion, say one-fifth, of the accommodation aflorded
by the College to students from Europe, at a fee, say, of $250 a year, a desirable
class would be attracted to Canada, and the College would thus become, as already
suggested, a most valuable immigration agency.
In addition to the text-books before alluded to, Mr. Brown recommends the
publication of a first-class agricultural periodical, on which point, it may here be
remarked, that nothing worthy of a great agricultural country in the shape of such
a pubhcatioa at present exists in Ontario.
The introduction of agricultural text-books into the public schools, and the
extension of the prize-farm system lately adopted by the Agricultural and Arts
Association of Ontario, are also recommended by the Professor.
Mr. Johnston, in the course of his evidence, glanced at almost every branch of
the subject of agricultural education. He discussed, at length, the need of agricul-
tural education and the methods by which it may be imparted. The relations of
the State to this branch of study, the subjects to be taught, and the appliances
requisite for teaching them, were referred to exhaustively, as well as the condition
of agricultural education in Great Britain and Ireland, in a dozen other European
countries, and in the United States. He then proceeded to sketch an outline of
what, in his opinion, should be the system of agricultural education in the Province
of Ontario, finding in the information already referred to, and in the steps already
taken here, precedents for his various suggestions.
The general arrangements for an Ontario agricultural college and model farm
were also outlined, reference being made to the history and progress of the present
institution, and a plan was proposed for its permanent endowment and organiza-
tion. He concluded his remarks with an allusion to experimental agricultural
stations, and some other interesting matters of a cognate character.
To be fully understood and appreciated, Mr. Johnston's observations must be
perused m detail, and the Commissioners hope that his evidence and that of the
two other firentlem«n pxaminprl in ♦^Viio Vir-ari^li /^f fl^^ir ^v.-...,*, — ni i - "j-
Circulation among the people of the Province. They believe it will tend to place
the subject of agricultural education in a broader and clearer light, and create further
interest m the public mind in regard to this most important subject.
AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION.
415
Further than this, tho Commissioners will not be expected to do more at tho
present time than to endorse the recommendations and suggestions already alluded
to, which are of an immediate and directly practical character.
It may be noticed, however, that both Mr. Mills and Mr. Johnston advocate the
extension of our system of agricultural education beyond its present limits, by
introducing it into our public schools, and by establishing agricultural schools in
the counties, or, as suggested by Mr. Johnston, by arranging for prize farms, to be
recommended by the county agricultural societies, whose proprietors may be willing
to receive pupils to work on the farm ; the pupils to pass regular examinations on
specified practical subjects, conducted by teachers and examiners of the Provincial
Agricultural College, semi-annually. Mr. Mills, while recommending the eotab-
lishment of agricultural schools, does not go so far as to recommend that they
should be connected with a farm and its appliances. Mr. Johnston, on the other
hand, would place them in the position of the farm schools of France, and make
them thoroughly practical in their character.
The time may come when these views will receive endorsation from the Govern-
ment and people of the country. They are now merely presented as the suggestions
of able and competent men, who are known to take the warmest interest in the sub-
ject of agricultural education. It is a very noticeable fact, that, however gratifying
the work done by our high schools and collegiate institutes, the system of education
pursued there necessarily tends to wean the student from an attachment to the
buciiness of agriculture. In other words, they are, perhaps unavoidably, just so
mai y institutions to disincline farmers' sons to the avocation of their fathers. It is
not thought by any of the witnesses to . be practicable to teach agriculture in our
high schools, nor is agriculture successfully taught in connection with the higher
branches of study elsewhere, although in public schools the introduction of a text-
book on agriculture might perhaps be attended with little difficulty or inconvenience.
Groat indeed will be the advantage to Ontario if any means can be devised to correct
the growi-ng disposition of the rising population ot our agricultural districts to for-
sake rural life for pursuits, already overcrowded, in towns and cities, arid it may
be, ultimately disgusted, or disappointed, to quit their native country for another.
Apropos of the subject of text-books, it may here be mentioned, that, during
his recent visit to Washington, Mr. Hilborn, one of the Commissioners, met
with a gentleman who had carried through the State Legislature of Tennessee a
Bill under which the study of agriculture had been introduced into the public
schools of that State. Mr. Hilborn has since forwarded a copy of a small text-
book published by Messrs. Appleton & Co., of New York, which is used in the
Tennessee schools. The Commissioners have had no opportunity, collectively, of
examining the book, but it appears to be a useful, practical, and very complete
little volume. It will also be noticed from the evidence, that agricultural text-
books are used in the agricultural schools of Ireland. With such models as these,
it ought not to be difficult to compile a text-book adapted to the wants of Canadian
rural public schools.
i
FARM ACCOUNTS.
From the information orally communicated and replies to printed questions, it
is evident that very few farmers keep accounts at all, that a limited number do so
in some primitive method or other, and that here and there one has adopted a
svstem approximately accurate in showing his profits or losses. The Commissioners
well understand the reason for farmers differing in this respect from other persons
in business. Some of them, like Mr. Gibson, of Markham, pay cash for everythmg,
and as they give, as a rule, no credit, they look on all they have knowing it to be
^\xo,ir o.wn and are content. Thev find themselves better off at the end than at the
beginning of the year, and don't think it matters much by what particular process
or branch of their business the accrual of property or money has been achieved. To
ao into the question as between this field and that field, this crop and that crop.
416
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
g?;enTD'^*No Sif^**-"^^''*'"^ ^'^"^^ ^« * ^^^'^ «f *™« «"d labour, and so is
Ce oblate vets^ed to Zl'""- "'Tk* ^^ ^'^' ^^ "^^"y- ^"^ ^*"^^"g f*«"itie«
itv.; V I y " *° *"® keeping of bank current or deposit accounts affainaf
me hod3d^Sn:v ir f^^Y^ .r- ^*"^'i* -^^''l ^^ --* drrab&i?Tme
Z«Lf 1?° devised, not so troublesome, and showing the farmer how he could
Enm,! l^'a'f '"'^?"'1 *"*i.Plr both that and his receipts uX proper heads
Enough has been divulged in the course of the evidence to show that farmers are
fs cwTw "* ^°' ^i'"^ ^^" §°^^ °^ ^^** *»^«y ™*y be losing or gSngwhle't
SanTould ar"';;u^fii".'irfn';.r ^'■^T^"* ^'^^y™*'^^ inlnot'her, a?;, as Mn
fesaor Briwn £ys :- ^ ' "" '* *^" 'P^^"* *" "^"^ ""* ^* "^« bung-hole.'" Pro-
pIic:;e^tts\t'y'ut^y^^^
management of a large number of farms T wn,.l^ ri^^^J -T • "? ^"'^ Scotland, and the
to th? ppge. and double money coluZ's raftr^^^
could every evening note down^f or ex^Sl^^diere the man C hp ^^^^^^ *\'^^'*'^ ^^"^ ^*™«''
crop, etc., and that all his notes should Cm .frli,,! ^ ^^^1 ploughing for a certain
purpe between each mo^.TolU^TttldTA 'ir'he would on'lvTv'%^''' ''' *i*'
twelve pages and classifv I havn hp«n awl f , i ^ i. . , *? .^ "*^^ *° ^u™ "P the
plan wouia be as follows :- ^ * ''^'^ '''*=^ * ''""^ ^'^^ "y "W" ^ork. "^My
1.
2.
3,
4.
Household.
Horse labour.
Manual labour paid for.
Manual labour not paid for.
5. Permanent improvements tcapital acc't.)
0. Kates and taxes. "
7. Crops laid down and harvested,
o. Sales.
Inventory and valuation.
huJ^/: ^' T' •^°^"«°"' Pnp^iP'^l of the Ontario Commercial Colles^e Belleville
DAY BOOJs
Paid cash for seed, as under, Fields Nos 1
and 2 32 bushels, at 75o. per bushel .......i?24 00
Field No. 3, 16 bushels, at «1.00 per bushel 16 00
* leld No. 4, 8 bushels, at 50e. per bushel 4 oo
Field No. 6, corn and potatoes 5 00
$49 00
JOURNAL.
Fields Nos. 1 and 2 Dr ■asai nn
Field No. 3 << '7^^
" No. 4 " ■.•.••■. ^l °"
"°-^ 5 00
To Cash $49 00
Mr. Alexander Mactavish, the Mpthematical Master of the Ontario Agricultural
College and Model Farm, has also favoured the Commissioners with a £ of farm
accounts. Mr. Mactavish stated that he had in preparation a nkn of tZ
uook-kcepmg, under the title of "Experimental Accounts," intended "to show" th^
results of the separate operations on a farm during the year. The plan submUted
METEOROLOGY.
417
however, is designed as a guide to the ordinary farmer, vt^ose opportunities for
mamtaming a more elaborate system of book-keeping are limited
tend«d X?> 'I "^.T"^ simpler one than Mr. Johnson's, although it is not pre-
princi les "° complete or effective as one designed on more elaborate
Some very sensible and practical remarks made by Mr. Hugh McDiarmid of
l^ocli, in answer to questions submitted to him on this subject, may also be worth
reproducmg here. He says:— j i j
,o "}' /^J^y p°"^P^}<''>'^«'i system of keeping accounts deters farmers from havine a corrflot
record of their receipts and expenditure; should a day book be kept postTng wll be Zt to
fall jn arrears, and at last be given up as a ' bad job.' ^ posung wiu oe apt to
For the average farmer there should only be one book having one natrp for ' BfiopJnfa '
and the opposite for 'Expenditure,' or headed ' Receiv^,' am"Vrfd OuT' and a pSn
monJhfv iKpl? *" ^Vr ""^, ' ^f'-' T^^, \y ^^- The accSs should be baTantd
"oSfcre^dit! BXIl3^^i:SFa'y^b"le'°et'^^P'"« ^'^"^'^ '^ ^^^""^^^ "««^' ^^^ ^
.,.„^" '^"^"P** «i*'le ^"''eep separate accounts of the cost and what realized of the various
Zp!rll act Jnt™ "'" ""^^^ ''"^ "^ '=*'"'"^'°"- '^^«««' "^^ -^--^. -n WicfcutTf
r.«rfl'.^t^®"K°^u^"V'*^ M^ directed to. the keeping of an estimate of the value of the work
foeetW wit/th?noS'"f -^ "i. %^1*'"" *°^ *^' for which a consideration has been 8^
together with the cost of such of the products of the farm and dairy as mav be used for the
support of the family and servants also that used for the feeding of LmeX animaTs. *
« Q T u ^ ^ should by all means be adopted.
1 A xl'*^® never known a fanner to take stock annually, and have no doubt hut that it
would be the means of removing a good deal of groundless aJxiety as farmers are apt to take
a contracted view of their standing. The advantages, however, to be derTved from7olloS
the course indicated by giving him an idea of his present worth, are thThe may £ abTe to
t^F^T^T'^ '" ""^ff improvements, or curtail his expenses. BesTdes by conmaTiSn o the
hfmtCknowThafbriU'Tv ^T' ^' '^""^^^.^ in possession of sufficintTataTo enable
mm to know what branch of his calling will be the most profitable to follow."
Leaving the evidence to speak for itself, and the several propositions to the
examination of those for whose benefit they are intended, the Commissioners
strongly urge on the farmers of Ontario the importance of, at all events, making
the nearest approach to an exact account they find to be practicable. A cash
account of money received and paid is simple enough. An annual valuation or
stock-taking should not be difficult, and wUl be most valuable. These may be
SSl J!! f \ calculations of the farmer. In addition to this, if a rough memo-
randum be kept of each separate transaction connected with the crops or the herd.
It will enable farmers -not to present a regular balance sheet, but-lto figure out
\ZntZ ''T «^*\«f^«ti«n results concerning which they, to a large extent, are often
ili^ t 11 . "^-^7 '"?"y "^'^ ^®^^«« ^°'' themselves plans and methods that
they, at all events, will understand for themselves and greatly profit by.
^1
CHAPTER XVI.
METEOROLOGY.
The subject of meteorology, as it affects the interest of the agriculturist, was
V '""^ X''"''"^TT*^L^^^,'''''' *^'^ "°*^°« «^ *^^« Commissioners at one of their meetings
by Mr. Thomas H. Monk, a young but able member of the staff of the Dominion
Meteorological Service Bureau stationed at Toronto. At tha rfinnp«t nf fh« flom-
imssiuneiB Mr. Monk made a statement in which he reviewed the whole quest"ion
«.t meteorology and meteorological observations in connection with agriculture, and
subsequently appended to his evidence a report, together with a meteorological
418
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
Province map showing? the proportions of the rainfall as near as they can be aacer-
tamed in the different sections of tlie country.
Mr. Monk, in his statement, discussed tlie climatic conditions of the Province ;
the effect of the groat lakes on rainfall, snowfall, and temperature ; the effect of
clearing the forests on rain and snowfall and streams ; the relation of meteorology
to the daily operations of the agriculturist and fruit grower ; the manner in which
meteorological observations of a simple character may be conducted, and the possi-
bility of providing machinery throughout the Province, by which periodical reports
may be obtained.
At the present time the observations of the department with which Mr, Monk is
connected have reference solely to the conditions of weather, and the progress or
direction of storm currents, with a view mainly of serving the interests of the
mercantile marine. The Government of Canada, of which the meteorological
service is a department, does not pretend to take cognizance of the effects of
meteorological phenomena on the crops or the soil.
The subject is an entirely new one to most persons, and time must necessarily
elapse before its importance comes to be fully felt and appreciated. It may be
stated, however, that no insuperable difficulty appears to exist in the way of obtain-
ing returns of rainfall or temperature. The instruments provided for this purpose
are not very expensive, and there are few districts in which persons of sufficient
intelligence might not be found to keep a daily register and transmit it on a printed
form to the proper quarter. But, to make such experiments really useful, compila-
tion and classihcation would be necessary, and the inferences drawn from them
must be issued under proper care and supervision for the benefit of the agriculturist.
Such mformation is collected and highly valued in some other countries.
In Denmark, rain stations are situate at distances of every ten or eleven miles.
At Lansing, Michigan, special attention ie paid to taking observations of the weather
with a similar object.
In Germany there is a general meteorological system, while special investigations
of the class indicated are carried on in Bavaria, Prussia and other parts of the empire.
In Austria, in Switzerland, Sweden and Norway, and in England, the science of
meteorology has made great advances, and receives every assistance from the Gov-
ernment, while its importance is beginning to be thoroughly understood by most
clauses of the people.
France is probably in advance of other countries with respect to progress in
agricultural climatology. In 1877, Mr. Monk states, France had 1,200 stations
established to enable her people to study the influence of the weather on agriculture.
In the United States farmers' bulletins are issued every month on which the kind
of weather that may be looked for in different localities when the wind is from a
certain direction is stated.
These facts sufficiently sho^y the importance attached to the subject by countries
most advanced in scientific knowledge, and most keenly alive to the interests of
agricultural industry.
The Commissioners trust that the importance of tlie subject may cause it to
receive the consideration to which it is entitled, and it will give them much pleasure
to observe that information so interesting as that afforded by the gentlemen named
has created an increased interest in meteorological study, and" led to greater attention
Tf"^^!^*^*^ thereto at the Agricultural College and other educational institutions.
It will be, of course, for the Government to consider, both on the score of expense
and practicability, whether the suggestions made for an extended system of regular
meteorological observations can, at the present time, be entertained.
MUSKOKA AND PARRY SOUND.
411)
CHAPTER XVII.
MUSKOKA, PARRY SOUND AXD MANITOULIN.
MUSKOKA AND PARKY SOUND.
While the older settled portions of the Province naturally demanded the largest
share of attention from an Agricultural Connnission, it was obviously proper that
some of the newer and outlying sectionu should not be altogether overlooked.
Having regard to the circumstances generally under which the electoral district of
Muskoka and Parry Sound had been settled, it was thought most expedient that
some menibers of the Commission should make a personal visit to that district, and
thus obtain, not only from oral testimony, but also by personal observation, a much
larger amount of information than could be had by summoning a limited number of
the settlers to give evidence at Toronto.
Accordingly, in the month of August, Messrs. William Brown, Edward Stock,
and A. H. Dymond proceeded to Muskoka and held a series of sittings at some of
the most convenient centres.' The trip occupied eleven days, and extended over
some 200 miles within the electoral district.
Nine sittinfs were held, fifty witnesses examined, and twenty-seven townsnips
directly represented, while many of the witnesses were able to speak from personal
knowledge of townships other than those with which they were actually identified.
Hitherto the district of Muskoka has been looked upon almost exclusively as a
lumbering region and a territory appropriated to Free Grant settlers.
The Free Grant Act was passed in the year 1868, and, at the present time, it is
supposed the population of the district does not number less than 30,000 souls.
The lumbering industry is carried on to a considerable extent, several townshios
having been placed u: .ier license from 1871 up to the present time. A large pro-
portion of the settlers have been, as may be supposed, persons without means, or
with very limited means indeed.
The Commissioners remark upon this fact, and point out that the general eifect
of the Free Grant policy has necessarily been to people Muskoka to a very great
extent m the way least likely early to show large results. The country is densely
wooded ; consequently every foot of cultivable ground has had to be cleared with
the axe ; and, but for t' i-mbering industry, already referred to, not a few of the
settlers would have L subsistence impossible. Having regard in fact to the
nature of the country, and the class to which the majority of the settlers belong,
the progress made has been not only satisfactory, but even, in some respects, sur-
prising. The district is traversed throughout by bands of Laurentian rock, and the
cultivable area is thereby considerably broken up. The Commissioners, in their
report, make a somewhat exhaustive analysis of the evidence on this point, the
result of which is given in the following paragraph : —
V That while the preyaleijce of rock is in a great many places too profusely manifested
ana in others, if not so plentiful, quite sufficiently intrusive, is admitted by all. But while
thip diminishes the actual amount of the cultivated area, it does not seriously interfere with,
or impair, the cultivation of the portion clear of rock. Moreover, as a perusal of the evidence
shows, sonie of the rouKhest portions are well adapted for pasture. No doubt exists in the
minds of the Commissi'-ners that while, in the area of the country visited, there is a fair pro-
portion of aRticultural land, it is to be found in larger quantities, and of a superior quality,
in many of the more northerly townships at present but little known. At a short distance to
the south, south-east and south-west of Lake Nipissing a district very favourable for setttle-
menv, uiuiouDteaiy exists. It has been tiie object of the Commissioners to discover, as^ far as
tuey are able, to wliat uses a district of this character can be most profitably applied, and for
what branches of agriculture it is best adaptec' t may be well, however, to notice, in the first
place, one matter in connection with the soil and its productiveness, to which attention was
more than once directed during the inquiry."
420
CSTASIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
success. cnuoiiratea, wnerever it can be conducted with reasonable
pracUcally'Stwn'lnt'Trl^LS "^ sca.-cely applied, drainage 1.
n? of the crop many of the sTnfplLt Le^t al« t" su^^^^^^^ W^«"?^ ^A''^;
this, many good crops of wheat have been raised an HJntLr .^?"""^- Yet, m face of all
proper management of the land is necessarv to Ln^hi« fh^ f.i""'" ^f^}^^ VLndersigned, only
grow all the wheat needed for their home consumption •'^' ''"''" "^ ^"^^•^'^* P'-°fi*''bly to
frosts are not injurious^ althought iTL"ceS;irffr^^^^^
arrive^rtt^TncWn^^^^^^ " *^ ^'^^ "^^"^"^ ^^ ^"^-'^ -™' *he Commissioners
, ''2nd. Tt\rntrtat''^irtLt.T^^^^^^ r '-«°- ^^ the district.
frosUn August) occurs, it may be grown Tuccess^ulir ' " ^^ unfavourable event (such as
if har';ieKt^as fffiTol-^Tat^'ranrf: «***« f«^ ^^^der, or.
agent in the clearinrand cultivaUon o^^^^^ as well as its beneficial effects as an
maybe properly encour^dSaVBDrov^^^^^ ^?- " ''"''" '" *''^ '"'*"°*
annuaSp/ ^ OommMionel,' vi»,t, and were .till yielding a heavf
o.h,?:oSrL°^°^!:;^„rST *'.r3ee°' '^t' i-r":r°°' '» '^°'" -^
K^i^^^iti^dSSSSSS
MANITOULIN" AND SAULT 8TE. MARIE.
421
in its earlier stages of development, while the price paid for hay by lumbermen has
been venr remunerative to the early settlor. As lumbering, however, recedes, the
market for hay and coarse grains becomes, consequently, less accessible, and the
settlers have had to consider in what direction they can profitably turn their ener-
gies with a view to the future.
It fortunately happens that, in addition to the poorer class of persons already
referred to, several men posseHsing more or less capital have taken up land in the
district and have thus infused a spirit of progress and energy into its somewhat
primitive style of agriculture, and a very fair representation of improved stock is to
be found in many places. The bush pasture has been a useful auxiliary in connec-
tion with the maintenance of stock during the earlier summer months, while the
hay of the beaver meadow has provided a means of supporting the cattle during the
winter season.
From the broken nature of the country it is evident that stock-raising or sheep-
farming would be the most convenient branches of industry the settlers could
adopt ; for, although the district is well adapted in some respects for cheese and
butter-making, the comparative sparseness of the population, and difficulty of keep-
ing up regular and frequent communications, are drawbacks to the formation of
those co-operative associations by which such industries can be most profitably car-
ried on. The climate is extremely healthy, and the supply of fresh water in the
shape of lakes, creeks, and rivers, is unlimitpd— the whole country, in fact, being
intersected by water highways. Looking at the capacity of the district from a
purely agricultural point of view, and leaving entirely out of consideration all those
questions of policy connected with the Free Grant system which apply thereto, the
visiting Commissioners appear to have come to the conclusion" that, as a stock-
raising and sheep-farming region, the district of Muskoka must in the future
chiefly be regarded. The want of a supply of hardy young stock is admitted to be
felt by the farmers and feeders of cattle for market in the front counties, and the
Commissioners see no reason why persons possessing capital and experience should
not, in Muskoka, find stock-raising a profitable industry.
Coupled with the suggestion that the attention of the Government should be
directed to this matter with the view of aflbrding facilities for the class of settlers
or occupiers of the land indicated, the Commissioners desire at the same time
respectfully to urge that the preservation of the more valuable hardwood timber of
our still remaining Crown lands should be the subject of soecial and particular
attention. In the district o* Muskoka and Parry Sound large quantities of such
timber exist, and every day brings nearer the time when, either from its possession
or destruction, its real value will be recognized.
The water communications existing, supplemented by colonization ropds already
constructed, and still more by the jirojected railway through the length and very
heart of the district, will afford means for marketing its products or shipping them
to market at many convenient points, and of rendering the hardwood timber acces-
sible with little difficulty. Nor can the Commissioners overlook the fact that, if the
lands of tl- , Muskoka and Parry Sound district can be made available for the pur-
pose already above proposed, a key may be found to the solution of the question
what is to be done with regions still more remote and to all appearance unfitted for
settlement in the ordinary sense, but still within the boundaries of Ontario ? The
subject is too large f«o be touched upon further here, but it is one well worthy of
the attention of all who have the future of this Province most nearly at heart.
MANITOULIN AND SAULT STB. MARIE.
In the course of the summer Mr. William Saunders, one of the Commissioners,
having occasion to spend some time in Manitoulin Island and the surrounding dis-
trict, took the opportunity of obtaining such information as to its resources as was
within his reach, and, at his return, embodied it in a report. Of the Grand Mani-
toulin, Mr. Saunders says : —
"The Grand Manitoulin Island, which is included in the district of Alf?oma, separates
the waters of the north channel weat of the Georgian Bay from Lake Huron. It is nearly
422
ONTAIilO AGIilGULTUIiAL COMMISSION.
tliirtl adapted for Htock raisin^ or .Zirv J. .11. V • "^'"C" t'""*! purpo«eN; about another
HhU of lire rock c vered wUh^oil o hL V u*'* ' ,*''* T"*'"'"* P^^tio^i con-
uland U entirely a limestone formation, and a Htr'kinK feature in its ueo^/ra .hv ?/h« ..1
dee[. bays indentinj,' it..* outline, chiefly alon- the uortLrn «^^f..JnVl*JK*''^ ^ .'"''"?''*'"''
an.l Hmall, Hcatterec! thro„„i, the interior thelaSfTthJ^^UU ■" ?'","^''m"' '*''''"' '*■««
is eleven mile« in length and neven in w dth a5 the w de/t part From A ^^^*"'VT' ^^J''^
rivers of sufficient volume and power to supply a number of mill. N ^ '*T'' ^"^^^ ^""^
the Manitoulin Island, but the surface pStL series of «lLS i ^ ""'"''.tf na occur on
ed^esfacing northward. The NiaS Z^n RTer TrS^^^
all found here, and many of the interesting folsils.ecnlia^^^^^^ ""'"''' ^"'"'nations are
some localities in great abundance On the nTthprn - f , f ^'\^""P! *'«' ""«' ^'t** *"
have been transp'^orted from t^' north horer and d^site^f fZ^^^^^^^^^ ^""'^'''"
obstacle to agriculture. " ' "eposued, tretjuently forn.uitf a serious
Manitoulin Island is Indian territory, tho wild lands being sold by the Domin-
Z.?.rT^''^- ^'"" *''" ^T^^ "*\*^ ^"'^•'^"«' *" ^h""' it stands in the relatfon of
trustee. As no improvements would be undertaken hy the Dominion Government
except in view of benefiting the Indians' estate, the conditions o seSeme U^e
not the most favourable, but nevertheless, in some eight or ten years Man SouH
has, m addition to the Indians on their respective res^erves' receivTa pop£on
now supposed to amount to some 15,000 souls. Of the soil. Mr. Saunders says -
The soil vanes much in character, from a rather stiff clay loam to a liirht sandv lo.m
A fair average crop of spring wheat— beyond the average, in fact, of the yield in
the older-settled portions of the Provinco-a very good yield of barley, and a large
yield of oats, are obtained by tho settlers from land that is still in process of clear-
ing and encumbered with stumps. Corn does well and is seldom affected by sorinir
frosts. Hay crops are also large. Of roots, Mr. Saunders says :— -^ f »
„f Z^^!^l T^'' '^° remarkably well. On one occasion, Mr. WiUet, a settler, dug 380 bushels
of potatoes from seven bushels of seed. Early Rose is the most popular var ety, but several
others are also grown ; the average crop is about 1 '.O bushels to the acre. A long black bS
a species of blistering beetle, which devours th. leaves, is usually common, and somSe;
abundant; occasionally it eats the stalks almost bare, yet no serious injury to the cZ fr^m
this cause has been observed. The Colorado. .>;.ato beetle has appeared, but h^ not v^
increased to a sufficient extent to excite alarm." ^
Turnips hero yield as much as 750 bushels to a stumpy acre. The pea bug has
not yet made its appearance, and Mr. Saunders' suggestion to the effect that Mani-
toulin may prowle a supply of uninfested seed peas has already been noticed
J^ruit cultivation has been too recently introduced to enable much to be said of
actual results. As a subject in which Mr. Saunders takes especial interest, he
naturally gives it rather particular attention. He suggests the following as the
varieties of the several fruits likely to succeed in the islands and adjacent dia-
tricts : — *
" Appr.E«.-Early varieties-Tetofsky, Red Astrachan, Duchess of Oldenburg. Later sort.
R^rt?"'" "' ^^ ' "*''''^' ®'" ^''^''' ^""''' ^°^^""' P°™«^« Grise: and GoldVn
" Crab Apples.— Transcendent and Hyslop.
•^|PBAR3.-Clapp'8 Favurite, Tyson, Flemish Beauty, Seckeland Lawrence.
«'P^°.'iL nl? •• ''T•■'*l^i^^'^«i'"* ^?^'' P«nd'» Seedling and Yellow Gage.
No. 4fv^tirrraS No'Vs (A^gr.:;^)^^^'^' ^°°'^'"*^' ^""*""' ^«^--«' -•* p-^^^'y 1^«-'
evei;'^r1e\TruTd'tTkdy"l';Lr:d!?' ''''''''''' ""' ^^''^ '^"""^ '"^^ ^'^'^^ ^'^^^ "^^-^
Mr. Saunders is led to submit this list largely in consequence of the importanc-
8AULT UTE. MAhlE DISTRICT.
4L>3
of a proper soleotion beiiiK made of fruits suited to the soil and clinmto, rather
than tht...^'» iirosHod upon the settlors by pedlars and others, whoso solo desire it is
to sell what they have to dispose of. Ho says : —
"I learned that the indomitable tree i>ecllar had found his way years ago Into the compara-
tively remote Hectionn, and with the aid of a Hmooth tongue and niffhly coloured pictures, had
succeeded in Bellinif, at vnry high priceH, houio very nuitabln varieties of fruit, and some very
unsuitable, generally auch as couUl be purcliiised by him oheapeet. Dishonent tricks, m uBuaf,
had aliio been practised on tlio unwary. On more than one ocoanion I saw young Clinton
pap« vines growing, to which were attached labels with high-sounding nuirieH not to be found
in any fruit catalogue ; pure inventions of these ingenious men. I found that the Northern Spy
had been recommended, and larjjely planted— an apple which requires the full length of tne
season, in our more favoured fruit sections, to mature, and which, it is very probable, will be
a failure in these settlementi. Others, such as the Baldwin and Rhode Island Greening, which
could scarcely be expected to be entirely hardy so far north, have also been much planted."
He goes on to advise the prospective fruit-grower in the following terms : —
** I would strongly advise those intending to plant fruit trees to have their dealings directly
with responsible nurserymen, and Canadian ni'rserymen, too, of whom now there are many
good reliable firms, to whose interest it would be to recommend and send out only such
varieties of fruit as would be likely to succeed. Trees grown in Toronto, Hamilton, St.
Catharines, Funthill, London, Paris or Windsor, are much more liltely to succeed and prove
hardy than those grown ni the United States, farther south. In many instances about the
Sjult Ste. Marie I saw abundant evidences of the partial winter-killing of the wood of fruit
trees, and sometimes of the deatli of the entire tree from this cause, while in other cases, in
the same neighbourhood, the growth was thrifty and very fair. The failures had probably
resulted from one of several causes, or a combination of them— the selection of unsuitable
varieties, improper treatment, and from the fact in many instances of the trees not being
properly hardened to our climate."
This advice may be well followed by the people of all new and more or less
remote districts.
THE SAULT STE. MARIE DISTRICT,
Before returning home, Mr. Saunders extended his journey to the mainland, in
the direction of the Sault. He says ; —
" I found that great progress had been made in this section of country during the past few
years, and that the land was being rapidly settled on. Although comparatively an old settle-
ment, it is only within the last few years that anything worth speaking of has been done in
the way of thorough cultivation of the land. The earlier settlers, largely French and half-
breeds, devoted th.jir time mainly to fishing, hunting, etc., and it is only since a more enter-
prising and thrifty class of settlers began to move in that the agricultural capabilities of the
district are beginning to be developed.
" The season is snorter than with us, yet crops appear to mature well; seeding begins
about the 10th of May, and fine weather prevails until about the 15th or 20th of Sei)tember,
when the fall rains come on, and there is not much growth after that. Frost seldom cuts to-
matoes and beans until the middle of October, and winter sets in in earnest from the loth to
the 20th of November."
In regard to crops and stock, the progress noticed was very gratifying, and the
prospacts of this district, if communications were opened up by railway construc-
tion, would be excellent.
Of the timber on the island of Manitoulin, Mr. Saunders says : —
" A very large quantity of cedar is growing on the island, chiefly on the south shore. The
bulk of the trees are large, but many of them are dead in consequence of the tires which have
prevaile 1 in some seasons, yet the timber, in most instances, is sound and in good condition.
A large number of railroad ties and considerable quantities of telegraph polos and material
for cddir block pavement are annually got out here ; one firm In Gore Bay has received orders
for 60,0.30 railroad ties this season. Cedar wood is also much used for boat-building aud
fencing."
424
ONTARIO AORICULTURAL COMMISSION.
CHAPTER XVIII.
DISEASES OF STOCK. STOCK REGISTERS.
rr.^?f T ^""8*18 their report to a close, the Oommisaionors think it proper to
rAh Tf""r'"' "" ^^"^ ''"^"°*'' i»Ji«»ted in the head of this cLptor That
health and hardmoss Dre-enunontly characterize the stock of the CanXu farmer
Terdstf'Orl 'h T-y "disputable Those fatal epideniics that deJnfr the
Canada mtt f *""' T'^ '''^""* ""l^""^" i» *•'« United States, do not v si?
Cana.la. With few exceptions, where disease presents itself, it is traceable either to
an unhealthy condi ion fn imported stock, or to some loca and terporarTcause
ifndTl".? •"IV*«""T' ^^' Z^*''"'^^ "^ *"y •"^««*'''"« disorder, shlldJuch appear
and to secure the readiest information of the health of the stock in any district the
Government of Ontario has appointed oualihed veterinary practiti. ners as insSors
who, acting under a chief inspector-kr. Andrew Smith:Principil of the Ontario
ImitTl^SfT''''^ "'/"^ *""° ^^ ^^^^"^'i *«' should oc^^ioi arise Mr'
wkh the subTect^?h" r""^^' T' ^'''^!''T ^'^""'^ '^' Commission in connecS>n
ouestions tfhf.^ Jm "^';-^'^'"*^' """"^^^^ opportunity was taken to put some
?o ouSed nrLTf .fn "'"" *™^ '" regard to diseases of stock. Circulars addressed
Mr. Smith's emphatic statement is :—
" T/ie cattle of this country are entirely free from, any contayious disease whatever."
this'^p'rinTMri'smthlaM •-""'''"' " '^ " "°* ^^"**«^°"''' "*» '^•— '^^ ^"* "»
But Mr. Smith does not reafard the disease as less serious in its immadiaf«
free •' ?rhTn"k ^KaSular^'f S'"* *° complaintB from which other cattle are comparatively
•vo d.d tor . gen.«i„n or two, Ih.T fl'SllI- b. elim?„"LJdT^„T C"? ^f .dT ■-""!
*uulu 101 recommai.a U„ b,-,„li„» from «n animal affected bythi, di,',Me:» ' "'
DISEASES OF STOCK. 425
On this subject Professor Brown snys ;—
" I ain Horry to say that I hav« hivl oun-iikrahle exp«r!«nce w5th tuhercufoniii or anlmAl
connumption, *..,„„« cattle in Canada, l.ut I .1,. not find timt the Hhorth..ni in any more al.le
to It than other breed*. We have ha.l ca«eH of it amon^ all Ijieeds except the Herefor.l With
the exception of thi* diHoaHC. which has attacked our cattle con«iilerably, we are remarkably
free from cattle diaoaseg in this country." « •"» lemarKauiy
The pmctico of in-breeding is no doubt more or leas at the bottom of the ten-
dency to this disease. That in-breeding, whore skilfully conducted, does not
nocussanly cause weakness of constitution, has been donioustratod by the success of
many of the greatest and most famouH breeders of stock. But unskilful and igno-
rant in-broeding is full of danger, and it is probably this that has laid the foundation
tor tubercular disease in some families of thoruughbrod cattle,
Faruiers purchasing or breeding from thoroughbreds cannot use too much
caution in securing animah of a healthy, vigorous type, and no temporary loss to
breeders aliould bo too groat to proveut tho rooting out of those which exhibit any
syinptoina of this insidious disorder.
OTHER DISEASES.
The liability of milking herds of cattle to milk fever has been noticed already
r x?""i." , complaints to which sheep are liable, and to the general healthiness
of tlio flocks in Ontario, reference liafi alscj been made.
ABORTION.
In the course of the inquiry, the tendency to abortion among cows was treated
upon, but nothmg elicited that throw much fresh light upon this occasional source
of trouble. Mr. Clay says on this point .—
"We have very little abortion among our cowh, and in Roingr through our stock bookH we
find It becoming very much lens. This. I believe, is due to a more sparing use than formerly
of rye, which has a most injurious effect upon the breeding (pialities of cows. The same
applies t<) Indian corn. It is the ergot which forms on these two grains that makes them
specially injurious m that respect. I believe the less you have to do with rye for feedinir to
cows the better, and the more natural food, such as hay and roots, you give them, the niore
certain you will be to have good results. In the month of September you will see a funRus—
smut-growing on western corn especially, and in that smut there is a large amount of ergot,
winch has the same effect on cattle as rye. I am going to give up the growth of rye entirely
We have very little ditticulty m getting our cows to breed. In our large herd we have not
at the present moment, six which are not rej^lar breeders. We keep very accurate statistics
relating to our stock, ^y•e have a breeding list printed every month, so that we can tell
exactly how the business is going. I attribute our success in breeding to the animals getting
plenty of outdoor exercise and being fed on their natural food."
While, in a few instances, cases of abortion were mentioned, neither that ten-
dency nor barrenness appeared to be so frequent as to call for particular remark.
GLANDERS.
In regard to the diseases of horses, the evidence is quite as reassuring, generally,
as that relating to cattle. Mr. Smith, however, called attention pointedly to one
matter that may invite more active measures than have yet been taken to prevent
the spread of a most dangerous and malignant malady. He says :—
"I omitted to state that horses are subject to a contagious disease called glanders, which
sometimes prevails in certain districts to a considerable extent. We have a law, intended to
prevent the spreading of glanders, but it has never been enforced as it should be. In the
majority of cases, glanders can be traced to contagion from horses already in the country. I
do not think that a glandered horse has ever been imported into Ontario.
"The disease is always prevailing somewhere, and liable to be disseminated; it never
quite dies out. It is possible that it may be spontaneously generated. It is a well-marked
example of a contagious disease, admitting of spontaneous generation. Kecently, however,
one or two veterinary surgeons in England— Mr. Fleming in particular— have inclined to the
Dciief mat it is never spoulaueously generated, but that it is always due to contagion in one
form or another.
28
426
ONTARIO AORTCULTURAL COMMISSION.
• u A *?i P"^^"^^® '* ™*y 1'3 originated by ill ventilation and want of sufficient nou-
rishment. A striking proof that it may be due, in the first place, to bad ventilation, was given
during the Crimean war. It broke out among a lot of horses on board one of the transport
ships. It was said that these horses were all perfectly sound when put on board ; nevertheless,
owing to bad ventilation, the disease broke out in a very severe form. During the American
war an immense number of horses suffered from glanders, although in that case it is quite
possible the disease spread by contagion."
SYMPTOMS OF THE DISEASE.
^ "The disease shows itself in a catarrhal form. It attacks the whole system, but evinces
itself principally in connection with the respiratory organs, accompanied by a discharge from
the nose. This discharge is capable of producing the disease in another animal, being in that
respect different from catarrh. It attacks the whole system, accompanied by farcy. Little
•stake a case of
form might
.... . ., , - m, . . . „ ,. ight terminate fatally
within two or three weeks. The virus is in a fixed form, and must come in actual contact
with an animal to cause disease. Broken-windedness will not develop into glanders, though
chronic catarrh may, if aggravated by bad ventilation. Ulcers on the nose and enlargement
of the glands are the characteristics of glanders, by which it may be identified.
"It is not curable in any of its forms, but is always ultimately fatal. You may as well
kill your horse as soon as you know he has become diseased."
Dr. Smith goes on to remark : —
"I remember condemning a horse for being glandered, and hearing no more of him for
some time ; subsequently I was consulted by a farmer near Barrie, who had lost three horses
by glanders, and I found that the horse which had produced the disease among the others was
the same horse I had condemned a year and a-half previous.
"I think more stringent measures ought to be adopted than those at present in force.
Inspectors should have the power, which they have not at present, of ordering a horse to be
killed, which, on careful examination, they find to be glandered."
The evil eifects of allowing stock to drink bad or polluted water is also pointed
out by Mr. Smith. He says : —
"Farmere now and again lose horses from cerebrospinal meningitis, induced in most
instances by bad ventilation and drinking impure water.
" Water that has collected on the surface of the ground, even when covered with a green
substance, may not be so bad as it looks, and cattle may perhaps drink of it with apparent
>n»punity. But where there is decaying vegetable and animal matter in the water, or where
the drainage of a stable collects in it, disease is apt to result in stock that drink from it. My
opinion is that bad water is highly injurious to animals, and that they frequently die from
Its use."
STOCK REGISTERS AND STUD BOOKS.
In connection with the breeding of thoroughbred animals, the subject of regis-
tration naturally came up at times for discussion. At present, registration in
Ontario is in a very unsatisfactory position. There is no Ontario or Canadian
Stud Book or Register for horses. Thoroughbred horses may be, and no doubt in
most cases are, registered in England ; many having been imported, would, of
course, be found in the English Stud Book. Some of the breeders of trotting
horses have them registered in the United States, but in Canada there is no regis-
ter whatever. The want of a Canadian register is felt very greatly. The necessity
for such a record was strongly urged upon the Commission by Mr. Wiser, Dr.
McMonagle, and others. If it were only for the purpose of preventing valuable
families of horses, like the Royal Georges or the Clear Grits, from being allowed
gradually to disappear, it would be necessary and valuable. But it is needed as a
guarantee in ordinary transactions between buyer and seller, and it is no less
needed by every farmer who wants to know— and if he does himself justice is
bound to know — whether the male animal he depends on for service is well bred
or a mongrel. This remark applies to all sorts of stock— horses, cattle, sheep and
swine.
At the present time the only Herd Book is one for the Durham or Shorthorn
breed exclusively, controlled by the Council of the Agricultural and Arts Associa-
STOCK REGISTERS.
427
most
tion. Herofords, Devons, Ayrshires, and all the rest, must trust to their good looks,
for they have no place in the Herd Book. If the breed is to be kept up, every breed
or family of horses, and every breed of cattle, should have its register. In regard
to the Clydesdale horses, it is deemed so important, that a Clydesdale Registration
Society was about three or four years ago established in Scotland. In Boston, as
noticed in a former chapter, the Holstein cattle have their Herd Book. Then in
England, there is a Suffolk Horse Society, a Hereford Herd Book Society, a We'lsh
Cattle Society, a Galloway Cattle Society, and recently a Shire Society to perpetu-
ate the breed of the old English cart horse. The American Herd Book, the Ken-
tucky Herd Book, the American Trotting Register, the Ohio Shorthorn Register,
and many others, attest the value placed by breeders on the existence of an authori-
tative record of all kinds of stock. It would not, perhaps, be expedient in Ontario,
or even in Canada, to establish a number of separate books or registers ; but one for
all descriptions of pure-bred cattle, sheep and swine, and another for horses, would
be most desirable.
The Commissioners do not propose to offer any opinion as to the principle on
which the present Herd Book is conducted. Five crosses in the male and four in
the female entitle to registration. The system was, no doubt, adopted with a sincere
desire to meet existing circumstances and the wants of the country. It is a perfectly
honest record, showing on its face the history of the thing registered. But it is
none the less certain, that, from whatever cause, a Canadian register does not secure
confidence in the States, where are to be found the best c^^^tomers of the Canadian
breeder. Canada is assuredly to be one great source of sui^^Jy of pure-bred animals
to the States. Our food supply, climate, and habits are all favourable to this form
of enterprise, and enable Canadians to furnish a better article than the Americans
can raise themselves. Hence another reason, not only for registration, but for
registration on such a basis as shall be unimpeachable. It must not only be honest
of its kind, but of the right kind in every respect.
While every farmer should understand the general principles of breeding, the
busine«s of raising pure-bred stock is really one of itself. And while it is an open
question as to who should issue a Herd or Stud Book, it does appear to the Commis-
sioners only a matter of common sense that breeders, either as an advisory board or
board of censors, should have a potential voice in its management. As there is
^solutely no Stud Book in Ontario at the present time, and as there is no Stock
Register at all in Ontario except the Shorthorn Herd Book, the field is an open one,
and nobody should be assumed to have anything but the public interest to consult
in the matter.
Intimately connected with this question is the suggestion thrown out by more
than one witness for the licensing of pure-bred stud horses travelling the country-,
with a view to dis3ourage the use of inferior animals. That is a proposal on which
some difference of opinion will probably be found to exist, although viewed with
favour by many.
The Commissioners suggest that a convention of breeders of pure-bred stock
called under the auspices of the Department of Agriculture, might be a convenient
means of eliciting the views of persons most competent to advise : (1) as to what
extent registration is needed ; (2) the best method of securing a system of registra-
tion ; (3) the principles on which, in regard to the several breeds of animals, it ought
to be conducted ; and (4) what means could be most effectually adopted to encourage
the use of only pure-bred male animals for breeding purposes.
The Commissioners believe that, if this step were taken, a scheme might be de-
vised for ensuring, not only a sufficiently w 3ll-guaranteed record for that which has
now no record at all, but additional confidence in and respect for the existing Herd
Book, in whatever form or under whatever authority it might be presented to the
public.
438
ONTARIO AGBIOULTUBAL COMMISSION.
CHAPTER XIX.
STOCK LAWS.
The Revised Statutes of Ontario, chap. 184, sec. 463, provide that the council
of every township, city, town, and incorporated village may make and pass by-
laws for providing pounds, and for restraining and regulating the runniucr at large
or trespassing of any animals, and for impounding and selling them if not claimed
Section 2 of Revised Statute 195 further provides that the owner of any animal not
permitted to run at large by the by-laws of a municipality shall be liable for the
damage done by such animal, altliough the fence enclosing the premises be not of
the height required by such by-laws.
In the Province of Ontario sou.e 330 townships have, at one time or other,
passed by-laws, still in existence, giving effect, wholly or in part, to the terms of the
above Act, or former Acts to the same purport.
From reports received from nearly every township in the Province, the conclu-
sion must be drawn that these by-laws are, to a large extent, regarded as a dead
letter, and this result appears to be attributed not so much to want of recognition
of the salutory nature of their provisions, as to the absence of effective machinery
for carrying them out. In some few instances, where this machinery has been locally
provided, the results have been such as to justify the hope that its introduction may
become general. Thus the Township of Blanshard, in the County of Perth, in-
cluded in its by-law a provision for a salaried inspector, who, in addition to his
salary, receives a fee for each animal impounded, and who is required to visit every
l^ighway in the municipality at least once a month. This by-law, it is stated,
has had a capital effect, in that the ratepapers look sharp after their stock, and
keep them out of the officer's way." In Ancaster Township (County Wentworth),
the duty of enforcing the law is also imposed on Inspectors ; in East Oxford
(County of Oxford), and in Toronto Gore (County of Peell, on the Road Overseers ;
and in Clarence and East Hawkesbury (County of Trescott), it is made obligatory
also on the Road Overseers or Pathmasters, who are subject to penalties not ex-
ceeding |5 in amount if they fail or refuse to perform their duty.
While these townships appear to be the only ones in the Province that have
overcome an obvious difficulty, there are many who complain of the absence of the
requisite machinery for carrying out the law, and who evidently look to the Provin-
cial Legislature for its amendment. The reports teem with such expressions as
" What is everybody's business is nobody's business;" "The law is treated with
the utmost contempt, and will continue to be so treated while redress can only be
obtained by neighbour and friend prosecuting neighbour and friend;" "I will
suffer any injury before I turn public prosecutor and have my friend fined ;" " The
inhabitants are very forbearing, and would rather suffer loss than give offence;"
" The law is inoperative because nobody has been appointed to see its provisions
enforced ;" " The Statutes should provide for the appointment of an officer — not a
reeve or councillor — to prosecute," etc.
While thijre seems to be a general desire throughout the Province to have stock
by-lawa made effectually operative, a difference of opinion prevails regarding the
TrtocJtw operandi. In the County of Dundas, where they are reported partially opera-
tive, " people by common consent use the roadsides as pastures when the grass ii
good and there are no ornamental trees needing protection from cattle," — from
which it may be assumed that there is no general desire in that county to emulate
its neighbours in the State of New York, where road fences are gradually disappear-
ing and tree planting; jn beconiinsf common under the influence of a law confinins
all classes of animals within the respective farms.
STOCK LAWS.
429
In some counties where there is a general desire to prevent all kinds of cattle
from running on the highways, the owner of only one cow is exempted from the
operation of the by-law, and this exemption is often taken advantage of by others
who cannot plead poverty as an excuse for turning their stock on the roads. Thus
in the rownship of Hope (County Durham), it is complained that " the poor man's
cow does not receive the benefit of the road pasture, "on account of the large
number of young cattle and sheep (belonging to two-thirds of the farmers) running
on the said road. In the Township of McKinnon (County Huron), the by-law " il
seldom or never enforced," a fact not difficult to be understood when it is found to
provide thai animals are not to be impounded while grazing on the roads or com-
mons, but that their owners are liable to a fine for allowing them to run at large.
JV either 18 It surprising that the township does not communicate the number of
convictions, if any, before a Magistrate for infractions of a by-law in terms so con-
tradictory. In the TowTiship of Osprey (County Grey), the by-law is totally in-
operative The writer of the report says :-'« I was this morning sending a cow to
a thoroughbred bull for which I had paid service. On her way she was served by
one of those roadster rats which infest the highways." No doubt like instances
are common, and are the source of considerable annoyance and loss to those who
wish to acquire or maintain pure stock. In East Oxford Township (County Oxford) ,
although the duty is imposed on overseers of highways to distrain and impound
estray cattle, the by-law is reported inoperative, and there do not appear to have
been any convictions. The report says : " Although three-fourths or more of the
tanners never turn an animal on the road, they are put to the expense of keeping
up strong fences to protect their crops from animals that are starving on the road "
Here is a case m which the majority needlessly suffers itself to be injured by the
minority. The farmers can, if so disposed, by insisting on the strict parrying out
fences ^ ' ^^ ^®^^ themselves altogether from the expense of keeping up road
In some townships great complaint is made of the ravages of hogs on the high-
ways. In Ellice (County of Perth), the report says : " No person cares to impound
hogs yet I believe $400 yearly will not repair the damage they do on the roads in
our township. Though these animals, over a certain age or weight, or unringed,
are generally placed under prohibition, it is certain that the laws are Svjldom if ever
Observed. To the contradictory and uncertain character of many of the provisions
ot those laws 18 probably to be ascribed the fact of their being so generally inopera-
tive. It IS difficult, for example, to determine precisely the age or weight of a
Sheep or liog, yet many of the by-laws prescribe the age or weight beyond which
animals are not to be permitted to run at large. Where, as in a case like this,
there is a difficulty m deciding whether a law has been infringed, there will always
be tound people ready to set aside or evade its provisions.
Some townships prohibit the grazing of all animals on the highways " except
within half a mile of hotels, stores and grist mills." This exception is one almost
certain to lead to difficulty. It is intended, no doubt, to benefit farmers attending
those places and remaining over for some time on business, but it is certain to be
taken advantage of by residents in the locality— generally numerous— and in turn
by others outside the specified limit. Again, a large majority of the townships
prescribe what animals may and what animals may not run at large, and name
certain months of the year and so many hours per day during which permission is
accorded. Where this is done, and where it is nobody's business to prosecute, it
would be strange indeed if the law were not generally disregarded.
Farmers examined by the Commsisioners were very generally favourable to the
enforcement of an effective stock law. Mr. Cochrane, of Kilsyth (Grey), probably
expressed a very widespread feeling on this subject when he said :—
"I would liks to call attention to a grievance that is beginning to attract attention,
namely, the runn:,ng at large of cattle. I would not be in favour of doing awav with fences
entirely— we couldn t do that— but I would be in favour of makins each man take care of his
own anUDiils. it is not right th.at I should he compelled to fence my farm to keep out my
neighbour s cattle. I don't think I should be put to the trouble and expense of keeping the
430
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
I believe a better class of stock would be kept if cattle
animals of other people off my farm,
were prevented running at large."
On the whole, it seems difficult to arrive at any other conclusion than that a.
stock law, whether local or general, to be thoroughly effective, should be directly
prohibitory, that there should be no exemptions whatever, and that the duty of
prosecuting should be handed over to a competent salaried officer, with the under-
standing that he is to do his duty independent of all local influences.
To sustain this opinion it is fortunately not necessary to travel outside of our
own domain. While, as has been before stated, the stock laws now existing in the
Province, and based on well-designed legislative enactments, are almost wholly
inoperative, nevertheless there are localities where these laws have been effectively
and beneficially enforced. In addition to the Township of Blanshard, in Perth
County, already adverted to. North Oayuga (County of Haldimand) has a law pro-
viding that "any person, after being notified either verbally or in writing, who
shall, twenty-four hours after receiving such notice, wilfully allow or permit any
animal, his or her property, or in his or her possession, to run at large contrary to
the requirements of this by-law, shall forfeit or pay a fine of not less than $1, or
more than $5, upon conviction thereof before a Justice of the Peace," etc. ; but
J' this shall not interfere with any other remedy or proceeding." In this township
it is reported the by-law is operative and convictions have been had. In the Town-
ship of East Whitby (County of Ontario), a by-law, than which it is stated none
ever enacted by the municipality caused so much excitement, was passed in 1879.
It has been productive of the most salutary effect in at least one locality. In the
village of Columbus it is strictly carried out, "and," it is added, "the change is
manifest in parties starting to beautify the roadsides." In the Township of West-
minster (Coupty of Middlesex), where the by-law is reported partially operative,
lives a sturdy agriculturist, who determined that, so far as he was concerned, it
sliuuld not become a nullity. Mr. Thomas Carruthers, of lot 7, concession 5,
planted trees in front of his land, and for some years has strictly enforced on hia
road the law prohibiting the running of animals at large.
There can be no doubt that a good deal can be done by individual effort to make
stock laws a real benefit to a community, and, where the desirability is generally
acknowledged, it -vould seem that there ought to be no difficulty in carrying them,
out in accordance with the spirit of recent legislation, and without further legisla-
tive interference. In districts where there is a large area of wild land and few-
clearings, stock laws ar unnecessary ; in closely-settled and cleared-up regions
their utility must be evident. In the United States, particularly in the West, they
have come to be regarded as an important adjunct of civilization.
In New York State they are largely operative, and so popular have they become
that gentlemen of experience, from whom reports have been received, declare their
belief that fifty persons will be found to approve where only one will condemn, and
that it would be impossible to find a legislator from the rural districts who would
dare to make an effort to strike them from the Statute Book. Under the operation
of these laws the highways and byways of the State have practically become a por-
tion of adjoining farms ; the grass is turned into hay, the weeds are checked before
their seeds ripen and spread over the fields, shade-trees are planted which require
no protection during then early growth, and private residences, heretofore fenced
in, are now open to the roadways. The only people opposed to these laws are those
who, not being landholders, desire free pasture for cattle on what they had been
accustomed to regard as common land. As in some parts of Ontario, an opinion
seems to hold that the laws would be even more operative than they are were their
provisions simplified and the duty of impounding cattle made incumbent on the
overseers of highways, thus obviating the objection that the enforcement of the
law by private individuals often engenders ill feeling among neighbours. The
opinion is also advanced in some quarters, that with the stock laws should be
coupled a rigid enactment for the destruction of noxious weeds on the public roads.
In Ohio it is provided that owners letting cattle, horses, mules, sheep, goats,
swine, yr g&asv go astray, shall be liable to a penalty of uot less than one nor more
CONCLUDING REMARKS.
431
than five dollars for each oflFence, and shall be further liable for damage done with-
imt reference to the fence that may enclose the premises of complainant. Further
any person finding any animal at large may and a constable shall take up and con-'
tine the same forthwith, that it may be treated as an estray. But, nevertheless
commissioners of counties may grant general permission for any of the animals
named to run at large, and in counties where there are no commissioners, township
trustees may grant special permits, revokable at discretion, on three days' notice.
But swme must be prevented by rings or other means from rooting, if they are
permitted to run at large.
In Michigan, similar powers are vested in a Board of Oounty Supeivisors, and
m any county in which those powers are exercised, any person owning or occupyint^
land may seize and take possession of strayed animals found on the highway oppo°
site such land, or trespassing on his premises. He is to inform a justice of the
peace of such seizure, and the latter is empowered to authorize the sale by auction
of the animal or animals seized. If not claimed before sale, the animal or animals
shall be sold, and the following sums deducted from the proceeds :— Justice's fees •
For every horse, U ; for cattle, 50 cents each ; sheep or swine, 25 cents each.'
io the person making the seizure : For every horse, $i ; for cattle, 50 cents each ;
for sheep, 10 cents each ; for swine, 25 cents each ; together with reasonable com-
pensation for the care of such animal while in custody. The balance, if not
claimed within a year, goes to the Township Treasurer. (The owner of any animal
seized may redeem it before sale on payment of fees.) A later law, however, leaves
legislation on this subject wholly in the hands of the people of each township, who
may at any legal meeting make orders and by-laws determining the time and man-
ner in winch the animals named shall be restrained from going at large, and fixing
the penalties incurred by the breach of such by-laws.
The Commissioners submit the information they have obtained on this subject
knowing full well the nature of the difficulties that have to be overcome in order to
secure a due enforcement of such laws as already exist in tiiis Province, and the
objections that may bo raised to a general Act similar to the one existing in New
York. That a very general feeling prevails in favour of a more stringent law than
now exists is pretty evident, and if tree planting is to become general, it must le
accompanied by some legislation in this respect. Meantime, the creation of an
active public sentiment may do much to make existing by-laws far more eflfective.
CONCLUDING EEMAEKS.
Very satisfactory is the almost universal use of labour-saving machinery If
the average all over be taken, it would appear that 71 per cent, of the farmers of
Ontario use machinery in their ordinary operations. But, as a matter of fact, if
the area still encumbered with stumps, where machinery cannot be successfully
employed, be eliminated from the calculation, the use of machinery may be said to
be all but universal. The exceptions to its use in well-settled counties are very
lew indeed. The supply, too, of ingenious inventions keep pace with the demand
It was informally stated in the course of the inquiry that only two wants in this
respect needed to be supplied : the one a machine for sowing gypsum ; the other
one for distributing liquid manure to the roots of plants. It is believed that the
ftrst-mentioned desideratum has been provided ; the other will not be long behind
too far as the purchase of machines is concerned, the danger is rather in the direc-
tion of a too ready yielding to the persuasiveness of the agent introducing some
noveltv which is not inv.ari.abl
offers of long credit.
„ ait improvement, backed by the bcguilements of
But the reasonable desire to lessen manual labour, and
432
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION.
^^^s^:^e:r:S;^l£^^ *J --ns.when tin. is ver^
It would be verv eratifvin^ fgncultural implement or machine maker
use of special ferSeS^Ts? L'rvll ab e°a%f to th *''""^^r ^^^ ^^^^ - ^^e
-were It possible, on the evidencr to beheve S fV^^^'- "'*""«* *''« employed
Biderable proportion of the numS last Znt o„1d S^ ^" *"y «^"-
clear that their application is confined to thflmnl .:* "*■ " *"•* ""^"y cases it ia
try could be more favoured with an ahnn^!n^ enterprising farmers. No coun-
an intelligent knowledge St^eir value "snee^^^^^^^ ^'^T P''«'*"''*«' ^^^ only
and general application ' "''^'^^'* *° ^"^"''^ their far more liberal
the comparatively small profits of the ordinl,^?Lr^' ^* ^u''* ''^'^*> '^PP^*^ *« be
profits are much less than they miuht be with WfSr"' "" ^'" ""*^*y- '^^^at the
tioned, nor is it denied that, ev™n at ^senin^Z^T^'"'^'}^ '' "^* **^ ^e ques-
manage to make a living and more, ifhas however toZ T* ^''^ ^°"^] ^'^™«^'»
every estimate of the cost of crop raising tLS' ^e borne m mmd that on
The farmer's own time, and S frSntlv oT ht T"""^ ""^ ^^^°''' '' «l^^^g«d.
before the balance of profits is struck and t^i^l! " 7 '°"«' '^ *1^"« P^id for
year, equal probably in amount to the wS - '"'^ '* ""^^ P'''^^'*'' '^^ *^^
as money purchases are concerrLd Thl «^^ requirements of the household, so far
dance on stock, niarketing produce and o?W '""^'? *PP^^^« *° ^^^^^'«« for'atten-
fromtheoutlay\ccount tL^S'wm bev«rv-^^^^ " *^''' ^' '^^'^"^^^^
otherwise they would appearW. s^S Whlp^nn 'ff H '" "^^^^ ^*««» ^l*^''^
occupier, and unencumbered hy mon<^iise \hl\ i' * ^*^™ '^ "^"^^ by the
farmer's own pocket, although if has to bfdpbilH • ?^ ^""^ '"*^''^«* §««« i«*« the
cost of a crop can be correftty ascertaine/^^^ K *^^ ^n'"""*. ''"^"^^ *h« '^"t^al
to those circumstances already mentioned tie IrZ ""°«"«?.t«d that, in addition
himself and family, so far as tlfe rsfnSarSs orSr«'"^^^^^ *".*^" "^«^« «f
price, even if he charges all his household r^i!! V ^'^^ """cerned, at wholesale
the stuif consumed bf his stock at SarketZ^r^*'^!?' ^ ^" ^' «"PP°««d to charge
equivalent to profit, is ascertained *''' *"°*^"^ '''"^^^ "^ "^^^^S, which is
The Commissioners would have been fflad in ht>,r^ i,„^ . .
ing into the proportion of labour eXiovedorOn?. If "PP^^t^^jty «f inquir-
character of the arrangements between /hJ!l^l "^ ^f"^' ^""^ the general
tunity has not off^ered for sS an iZirv bevnn7T v^ *^" e^np^ed. Oppor-
tion. The opinion of good farmers kth«7. A 'iV"^ ^T^ §^"^^^1 i»^«rma-
force equal to that strength should b«'i *. ^^'^ *''^" *^^«« ^^ult males, or a
be so employed profiSbfy ' The disuosiZiT^ ""'' Z^l ^^'^'^^^ f^™' ^"d can
married labourers also app^ears to brSaSng ^'""'^" ^"' *^" accommodation of
at tle^mpStatfLS^rr ta"^^^^ o?V°"''l"'1 ' ^"^ -P-feetly, looking
only too sensible. Their duty was" nove ot tI.''* ''™'"^^ *° them, they arl
from time to time, as experience was ob^nfi^ Their course had to be shaped,
have sought to leave nothing undoLthT ?i \"gg««tions were presented. The^
in the time and with thfSns at their oo,^^ 5' reasonably expected to be done
lightened by the hope ^1^^ earer senBeTwW ^"^ *^^V'. labours have been
and well-directed efforts may inspfre the a^riS !^ ^f ^°^'^^^^ by intelligent
determination to attain in TerTthfnf toX hl'T'*." ^^ Ontario with increased
remembered that in the ^implTcpLtions .f S^^ ^"t^ *^^ ^''*^ ^«* ^t be
the farmer who proceeds n™ unon Et ^ *^'' "?°'* honourable of purstiits,
sound principles,VdevatC hisSing^?^^^^^^^^^ '"'"'^^ traditional habit bat oA
nity of a science as he seSs to co or^if -Jl ^T ^.^"dgery of toil to th,3 Jig-
secure his full share of her bountfer^If^ S*n f."- "'! ' beneficent laws, aud to
a new charm to labour and prcsonf af fi "' \T *t'' I'^^^'^'^y '" ^i«^. it will give
or to stimulate his ambiSn to e^cel "^ ^'''^ ''^^'''' *« ^^^^en hu ..tefest
/
1 time is very
laker.
jporting on the
t are employed
al in any con-
any cases it ia
jrs. No coun-
ucts, and only
[• more liberal
discussed else-
;, appear to be
ly. That the
lot to be ques-
good farmei'8
mind that on
ir ia charged,
thus paid for
>ortion,of the
isehold, so far
•ges for atten-
be deducted
y cases where
)wned by the
joes into the
>re the actual
t, in addition
the needs of
at wholesale
3ed to charge
ing, which is
ty of inquir-
the general
ed. Oppor-
ral informa-
t males, or a
rm, and can
imodation of-
itly, looking
im, they are
be shaped,
ited. They
I to be done
I have been
7 intelligent
h increased
Let it be
of pursuits,
bit, but on
to th,3 dig-
iws, avid to
it will give
hia interest
/