58 



the Paris green. The results show that this useful insecticide may be mixed with 

 Boap solutions without materially interfering with its strength. 



REPORT OP THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST. 



In the entomological part of this report attention is called again to the import- 

 ance of spraying with Paris green and water for certain insect pests, and evidence 

 is given of the fallacy of some statements lately made in an English paper as to the 

 danger of using fruit from trees so sprayed. The facts cited by Mr. Fletcher show 

 that no injury whatever can arise from such use. 



Eeference is made to damage during the past year caused by several injurfbus 

 insects, among others, the Eye-spotted Bud Moth, which injures the apple trea; 

 the Pear Leaf Blister, a small gall on the leaf of the pear produced by a very tiny 

 mite; the Clover Eoot Borer, an insect not recorded as occurring in Canada before; 

 and the Pea Weevil, which is said to be on the increase in some parts of the country. 

 An account is also given of the occurrence of the Eed Turnip Beetle, which attacks 

 turnips and radishes in different parts of the North- West Territories. 



The botanical portion contains an article on smut in grain with details of the 

 most useful remedies. This will commend itself especially to the farmers of the 

 North- West, where the "bunt" or "stinking smut" has of late been so prevalent and 

 so detrimental to the crop. 



In the experience given of the tests of native and foreign grasses at Ottawa 

 during the past season, Mr. Fletcher has presented many useful facts. Some of the 

 experiences of settlers in Manitoba who have tried some of these varieties is also 

 related. This subject is deserving of careful attention and study. 



A most important chapter to farmers is that on weeds. The necessity for 

 information as to the proper treatment of these pests, with a view to their eradica- 

 tion, must be generally admitted. A weedy crop seldom gives satisfactory returns ; 

 the loss which arises depends partly on the fact that weeds take from the soil some 

 of the elements of fertility which the growing crop requires, and also for the reasou 

 that the presence of numerous and thrifty-growing weeds prevents the free access of 

 air and sunlight, so necessary to vigorous growth. 



REPORT OP THE POULTRY MANAGER. 



This report opens with a discussion of the subject of the winter laying of fowls, 

 where some useful data is given with reference to the effects of different methods of 

 feeding in the production of eggs. The breeds of fowls which have been found to 

 lay best at the Central Experimental Farm during the winter are enumerated, and 

 the proportion of eggs hatched from sittings of eggs of the various sorts of fowls is 

 also given, with the most successful methods of treatment of the young chickens 

 after they are hatched. 



Particulars are given with regard to the dates at which the young pullets in the 

 poultry house began to lay, showing that the White Leghorns, Wyandottes and 

 Plymouth Rocks are among the earliest in this respect. The diseases of poultry 

 are also discussed and remedies suggested. Further details are given of the exam- 

 ination of eggs long kept, which, with the results of the tests made last yeai-, go to 

 show that eggs when kept under the conditions described are not so perishable as is 

 commonly supposed. These experiments have not as yet thrown much light on the 

 question as to how eggs become offensive and putrid. 



The important subject of the weight of eggs is dealt with at some length, and par- 

 ticulars are given of the weights per dozen of those from the fowls of all the leading 

 breeds. 



EXPERIMENTAL FARM, NAPPAN, N.8. 



In the report of the superintendent of the experimental farm for the Maritime 

 Provinces, the results of some instructive tests are given of varieties of wheat, many 

 of which have yielded good returns. The crops which have been gathered from thi 



