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Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams Illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre fllmte i des taux da rAduction diff Arants. Lorsquttt is document est trop grand pour Atre reprodult en un seul cllch*, 11 est film* A partir de i'angia supArieur gauche, de gauche k drolte, et de haut en bas, an prenant la nombre d'imagea nAcaaaaira. Les diagrammas suivants illustrant la mAthoda. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 iV55^. CENTRAL EXPERIMENTAL FARM, OTTAWA, CANADA. BULLETIN No. L BEBRTJA.RY lath, ISHT. To THE Honourable the Minister op AaaicuLTuriE: ■ Sir, I have the honour to submit herewith the (irst Bulletin of the Central Experimental Fai-m for the yeai- 1887. During the short time which has elapse! since the establishment of this im])ortant section of the Depaitnient of Agriculture, much work of a preliminai-y '^•haracter has been accomplished, many of the details of which will appear in subsequent Bulletins. Under your instructions 1 have visited the Maritime Provinces also Manitoba, the North-West Territories and British Columbia, for the purpose of acquring sue?, information as will aid in determining where the several Experimctital Farms which are to be established may be located, so as to confer the greatest good on the greatest number of farmers in the Provinces and Territories referred to. I have also visited many districts in the Pi-ovinccs of Ontario and Quebec, and availed myself of every opportunity which has presented of gaining information relating to the condition of agriculture as well as its special needs in these Provinces. Trusting that this report of progress will meet with your approval, and also prove satisfactory to the farmeis of Canada lor whose special benctit this woi k is being undertaken. I have the honour to be, Youi" obedient servant, WM. SAUNDEKS, F.U.S.C, F.L.S., F.C.S. Director. Ottawa, I'Vbruary lOth, 1887. Central Experimental Farm, OTTAAA/^A, CANADA. -*^^*- INTRODUCTORY. In presentini^ this first Bulletin of the serios to be issued from the Experimental Fnvm for the information and guiihmce of all those who are interested in any of the departments of agricultural in- dustry, it has been thought best to refer briefly to the circumstances which have led to the establishment of Experimental Farms in Canada, and to recite wliat classes of work it is proposed should bo undertaken by these institutions. During the session of the Dominion Parliament in 1884 a select committee was appointed by the House of Commonfi to enquire into the best means of encouraging and developing the agricultural in- terests of Canada. That committee took evidence and collected and published the opinions of a large number of practical men, most of whom favored the establishment of one or more Experimental Farms. In November, 1885, shortly after the present Minister of Agricul- ture took office, the writer was instructed to visit as many of the Experimental Farms and Stations in the United States as might be necessary in oider to gain information as to the benefits such institutions were conferring on practical agriculture, including stock raising, dairying, &c., and on horticulture, with special reference to the production of fruit. Also to enquire into the subject oi' forestry and all other useful phases of this work. A report was prepared and submitted to the Minister of Agricul- ture on the 20th of Febi-uary, 1886, containing the results of this enquiry, accompanied by an outline of a proposed system of ex- pciiraental work, embracing those features which it was thought would be most particularly beneficial to the groat agricultural interests of Canada . ^ During the session of Parliament for 1886 the Minister of Agricul- ture introduced " An Act respecting Experimental Farm Stations," which after a brief discussion was passed without opposition. This Act provides for the establishment of an experimental farm for the Provinces of Ontario and Quebec jointlj'-, to be known as tiie principal or central farm, one for the Maritime Provinces jointly, one for the Province of Manitoba, one foi- the North-West Territories, and one for the Province of Bi-itish Columbia. Provision was also made for the setting apart of several sections of land in Manitoba, the North- West Ten-itories and British Columbia for the special purpose of tree planting and timber growing. The work to be undertaken at the different stations is thus set forth in the Act : — " (a.) Conduct i-escarches and verify experiments designed to test the relative value for all purposes of different breeds of stock, and their adaptability to the varying climatic or other conditions which prevail in the several provinces and in the North- West Territories ; (b.) Examine into the economic questions involved in the pro(iuc- tion of butter and cheese ; (c.) Test the merits, hardiness and adaptability of new or untried varieties of wheat oi* other cereals, and of field crops, gra^scs and forage-plants, fruits, vegetables, plants and trees, and disseminate among persons engaged in farming, gardening or fruitgrowing, upon such conditions as are prescribed b}* the Minister, samples of the surplus of such products as are consideied to be specially woi-thy of introduction ; (d.) Analyze fertilizers, whether natural or artificial, and conduct experiments with such fertilizers, in oider to test their comparative value as applied to crops of different kinds ; (e.) Examine into the composition and digestibility of foods for domestic animals ; (/.) Conduct experiments in the planting of trees for timber and for shelter ; (g.) Examine into the diseases to which cultivated plants and trees are subject, and also into the ravages of destructive insects, and ascertain and test the most useful preventives and remedies to be used in each ease ; (A.) Investigate the diseases to which domestic animals ai-e sub- ject; imber and (i.) Ascertain the vitality and purity of agricultural seeds ; and (j.) Conduct any other experiments and roHcarches bearing upon the agricultural industry of Canada, which are approved by the Minister." The proposed establishment of these Experimental Farms in differ- ent Provinces of the Dominion has met with hearty expressions of approval from farmei-s eveiywhere, and has awakened a general interest in experimental agriculture to a degree never before mani- fested. Intelligent and thoughtful men realize that agriculture has always been an experimental branch of national industry, and that there will, during all future time, be associated with it important j)roblems woi-thy of investigation. The progress of agriculture in the past has been mainly bi-ought about by the experiments of prac- tical farmei-s, many times repeated, and the i-esults passed from one to another have eventually become common property. Knowledge ficcumulated in this laboi'ious and fnigraentary manner while exceed- ingly useful is often lacking in exactness while the lelativo value of the facts gained is not often accui'ately detei'mined. Tho ordinary farmer has neither the appliances nor the time to conduct experi- ments of an exhaustive and piecise nature, indeed with many the j)roblem of subsistence is an important and all absorbing concern. Seeing that the woi'ld's supplies depend almost entirely on the world's crops, farming must always rank as the most essential of human pui-suits, and should be aided and encouraged to the utmost. The important bearing of the ci'ops on the prosperity of Canada is weil understood, and any aia or stimulus given to increased production in this department will speedily be felt in all the avenues of commerce. It is intended to make the Kxporimental Farms as generally use- ful to the farming community as possible and to undertake such courses of experiments in each piovince as ma}'^ bo most needed there. Constant effort will be made to ensure accurate results, and by care- ful repetition of the work undertaken to remove, as far as possible, every element of error, while the conclusions will be fully and honestly reported. Work already accomplished. The Central Experimental Farm has been located near the Capital, within three miles of the Parliament Buildings. Four hundred and sixty acres of land have been secured in a commanding position J^iiW" owwiwsww^vpntrnmpvqpfnfi' iVrtiif 6 overlooking the r '.ty of Ottawa, possessing every desirable variety ofNoiland aspect to meet the varied requirements of the experi- mental work to be conducted there. Although possession was had but a few days before winter set in, some woi-k has been accora- ]>lished, unnecessary internal fences have been removed, the loose stone cleared over a lai-go area, some gi-ading done and about twenty acres of land ploughed. During the winter a large supply of stable manure has been obtained, between fifty and sixty acres of under- growth chopped and piled, an office and store room erected, and a glass structure built for the purpose of testing the vitality and germinating power of seeds. Coi-i'ospondence has been had with the Directors of the Royal (rurdens at Ivew, Englanil, the Imperial Botanic Garden at St. Peters- bui'gh, Russia, and the Imperial College of Agriculture at Japan, and as a i-csult collections of grain and seeds will shortly be received from these several institutions. Purchases of seed-grain in great variety, including wheat, barley, oats and rye, also grass seeds for meadows and peimanent pastures have been made in Northern Russia, Germany, England, Canada and the United States with the view of testing their comparative merits when grown side by side. A collection of many varieties of potatoes has also been secured for a similar pui-poso. A large number of standard fruit trees and vines are being obtained ; also a collection of hardy Russian sorts, com- pi'ising nearly two hundred varieties, some of which it is hoped will succeed in the colder sections of the Dominion where the more tender kinds cannot be successfully gi-own. A very extensive assortment of economic and other foi est trees and shrubs, both native and foreign, are being secured; also collections of seeds of the same, for the further extension of this important division of the work. Plans of the necessary buildings are also being prepared, so that no delay may occur when the time arrives for their erection. SEED TESTING. This department is now ready for work. It has been undertaken for the pui'pose of determining the value of the agi'icultural seeds which are sold to fsirmors from year to year, and to save them from some of the losses to which they are annually subject by using old and inferior seeds. Every farmer in Canada will have the privilege variety e experi- was had n accora- he loose it twenty of stable )f under- 3d, and a ility and le Royal t. Peters- iit Japan, received in great seeds for Northern with the 3 by side, cured for md vines )rts, cora- oped will re tender isortment lI foreign, for the Plans of no delay dertaken ral seeds em from using old privilege and the right to send to the Experimental Farm samples of any seeds of which he may desire to know the germinating power, and it is hoped (hat all will avail themselves freely of the advantage ottered. A suitable glass structure has been erected for this work of :i suflBcient size to admit of the testing of a very large number of samples at one time. Methoiks. The returns of the germinating powei- of seeds will not ho based upon a single test, but every sample will be tested in duplicate, once in the soil and again out of the soil in the most approved foi-m of apjxiratus devised for this puipose. Small seeds will also be ex- amined for impurities such as sand, dust, foreign seeds, chaff, &t'., and the pioportion of these given. Directions for sending Samples. The samples sent should be a fair average of the whole of the seed from which it is taken. The quantities which should be forwarded will vary in proportion to the size of the seed. Of large seeds such as corn, peas, wheat, barley, oats, &c., about four ounces will be required, while of the smaller seeds such as grass, clover, turnip, carrot, &c., from half an ounce to an ounce will be sufficient. The larger seeds may be put into small cotton bags each marked with the name of the seed, and these smaller bags enclosed in a larger canvas bag provided with a tag on which the address may be written. The smaller seeds may be folded in stout pa])ei', each parcel marked and the whole enclosed in a strong envelope. Packages and com- munications should be addressed : " Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Canada." All mail matter will be carried free to and from the Experimental Farm within the limits of the general postal regula- tions as to the size and weight of packages. All seeds received will be entered in the order in which they arrive and the returns made as promptly as possible. Treatmknt of Forest Tree Seeds. The great importance of encouraging and stimulating tree planting among the farmers, especially in the Northwest Provinces, is beyond dispute. It is felt also that this can only be accomplished on the scale of magnitude required by the planting of suitable foi-est tree seeds, which can be gathered from the native trees growing in Iiij I: Iho Provinces or purchnscd at u pmall cast. This IcskIh un to add u few woidH of advice on the gojioiul treutmoiil ol'foicsl trje seeds Many of the tioo seeds which niatme early aro bettor sown soon after they ai'o gathered. This applies especially to the several varieties of elm and to the soft maple. The hard maple, box older and ash seeds keep v.'ell over winter, provided they aro stored in a cool place and not allowed to get too dry. Acorns, nuts and stone fruits are most successfully planted in the autumn, but if kept over wiiiter should be mixed with moist sand and exposed to frost and planted as early as possible in the spring, taking care that they aro at no time left in masses under conditions so as (o heat. Many failures with seed ai'ise from not sowing if in partial shade. If seeds are exposed alternately to hot sunshine and cold, while they aro swelling, they will frequently rot before they appour above tho surface. The requisite shade may be obtained by tho use of brush wood, or a light layer of corn stalks or sti-aw, removing this as soon as the seedlings are up and fairly established. Many nurserymen enclose their seedbeds with wooden frames, on which are laid light frames made of one-inch strips and covered with cotton or muslin. These are convenient and can be provided at small cost. Seedlings of evergreen trees grow slowly and leqnire to be shaded and kept moist duiing hot weather all through the first year of their growth and sometimes longer. Seeds take some time to swell their coats after being placed in the ground, hence, if planted dry, they should be sown as soon as soil can be had to cover them. Germination may be hastened, especially with seeds of a hard texture, by pouring hot water on them and allowing them to soak for twenty-four hours before sowing. Seeds sometimes fail to grow from being planted too deep. The larger nuts and acorns should be covered with soil about as deep as the seed is thick ; other smaller seeds should not be covered with more than half an inch of mellow soil, pressed gently with the back of a spade so as to make the earth firm around them, and when the young seedlings appear they should be carefully weeded. vOccasion- ally seeds will remain in the ground until the following season without germinating. Should any fail to grow by the time spring is over, and on examination the kernels are found sound, the seedbeds should be kept weeded and shaded until the next season. I to add u 8oed8 tor «<)\vn e several )ox older [)rod in a nd 8tone vopt over fi'ost and they uro i. Many If seodn they are 30VO the of brush i as soon 'seiymen aid light i" muslin. Jeedlings and kept [' growth eir coats r should tion may ring hot ir hours ip. The deep as •ed with the back rhen the 'ccasion- season 9 spring leedbeds