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CHANGES AND ADDITIONS TO THE STAFF. 



Since the last report was published the vacancy caused by the resignation of 

 Mr. W, W. Hilborn as Horticulturist at the Central Experimental Farm has been 

 filled by the appointment of Mr. John Ci'aig, who has by a long course of training in 

 Quebec with the late lamented Chas. Gibb, and subsequently with Prof. J. L. Budd, 

 of the Agricultural College in Iowa, become specially fitted for this work. By the 

 appointment of Prof. J. W. Eobertson as Dairy Commissioner for the Dominion and 

 Agriculturist at the Central Experimental Farm, and Mr. J. C. Chapais, as an assistant 

 Dairy Commissioner to labour among the French-speaking communities in Quebec and 

 the other Provinces, the general agricultural interests of the country will be pro- 

 moted and the facilities atibrded by the Experimental Farm for experimental work 

 in dairying can be fully utilized and information gained which will lead to the 

 advancement of these great commercial departments, which now profitably occupy 

 the attention of so many in the farming community in Canada. 



EXHIBITIONS ATTENDED. 



Exhibits of the products of the Central and other Experimental Farms, have 

 been made at several points during the past season. Much as we should like to 

 accede to the wishes of the many friends who extend invitations to make a display of 

 farm productions at their fairs, it is quite impracticable at that busy season of the year, 

 when the summing up of the details of all the work ot the season begins, to prepare 

 for moi-e than two or three exhibitions. A satisfactory exhibit was made at the 

 Central Fair in Kingston, an excellent display was got up for the Industrial 

 Exhibition in Toronto, which, supplemented by other late-maturing products, was 

 subsequently shown at the Western Fair in London. A good exhibit was also made 

 at the Canada Central Exhibition in Ottawa. 



The branch experimental farms have also undertaken similar work in the respec- 

 tive Provinces in which they are located, and in each case as many of the more impor- 

 tant fairs as could be reached have been attended. Such opportunities bring many 

 practical farmers in direct contact with the progressive work of the farms, and by the 

 display of many useful and interesting products a general feeling of appreciation is 

 awakened and facilities offered for giving information to many enquirers. 



I CORRESPONDENCE. 



Probably no better evidence could be given of the increasing interest taken by 

 the farmers of Canada in the work of the Experimental Fai-ms than a comparison of 

 the letters received during 1890 as compared with 1889. These letters have come 

 chiefly from farmers sending requests for reports, bulletins or seed grain, or seeking 

 infoi-mation in reference to some branch of their calling, and the number and variety 

 of the questions asked have involved much time and labour in answering them. There 

 is no work more useful than that of stimulating enquiry, and information never benefits 

 a man at any time so much as just when he feels the need of it. Farmers have been 

 invited to correspond freely with the Experimental Farms, and it is hoped that they 

 will continue to do so, and provision will, I trust, be made for the additional office 

 assistance which will be required to overtake such rapidly increasing work. 



Gf— t 



