150 



"With regard to the virgin soils of Manitoba and the North-West Territories in 

 general, I may state that the chemical data emphatically point to their excellence 

 and great fertility. 



Some soils from the district of Muskoka, as well as others from Ontario, Quebec 

 and Nova Scotia, have also received attention. 



It would be well to emphasize that more analytical results are required before 

 inferences as to the relative fertility of districts in Canada can be drawn. In the 

 meantime the analyses here given, together with the deductions made, will serve to 

 indicate the general character of man}' classes of our soils, and assist in suggesting 

 the most economical and profitable means for their improvement. 



Part II. Natural Fertilizers. — There is here included the analyse? of twenty- 

 seven samples of swamp muck, mud and peat from diftetent parts of Canada. Their 

 composition is tabulated and their use and value as feililizers explained. Analyses 

 of eel grass and of spent tan-bark, made at the request of correspondents, are here 

 given. The results of an examination of a sample of gas liquor are also stated. 



Part III. Fodders, Plant and Animal Products, — Roofs. — The chemical 

 examination of roots has formed a part of this work during the i)a8t season, and this 

 chapter comprises the analyses of several varieties of cai-rots, turnips, mangels and 

 sugar beets grown on the experimental farm at Ottawa. Their composition is given 

 in tabular form, which allows of an easy comparison of their food values. The use- 

 ful and important functions of roots as part of cattle rations are also considered. 



Fodder Corn. — The results of experiments with fodder corn carried out at the 

 experimental farm, Ottawa, in conjunction with the Dairy Commissioner, are given. 

 These corroborate and supplement those obtained in 1890, which were published 

 last year in Bulletin 12 of the Farm series. The attention of farmers and dairymen 

 may be specially directed to this work. Further experiments with analyses of fodder 

 corn and ensilage are in progress. 



Sugar-beets. — The investigation that has continued for the past three years with 

 a view of ascertaining the value of this crop for sugar manufacture has received 

 further attention. Sixty-four samples of this season's roots ai-e i-eported on. The 

 average of 21 samples of the same variety grown at Ottawa was 14 per cent of sugar. 

 In another table will be found figures showing the effect of earthing up the roots 

 while growing. This practice resulted in an increased sugar content of 2*2 per cent 

 over that in the same varieties which had only received ordinary field culture. In a 

 third table are the analyses of beets grown at the branch experimental farms and 

 roots sent in from various parts of Ontario. 



Sorghum. — A short chapter on sorghum grown at Ottawa is added, 



Babcock Method. — In June last a bulletin was issued on the Babcock method for 

 ascertaining the amount of fat in milk. It contained analyatical data obtained in our 

 laboratories proving the accuracy and reliability of this process. As the value of 

 milk depends chiefly on the amount of butter-fat it contains, it becomes at once 

 apparent that any method by which this could be easily and cheaply determined 

 would prove itself most valuable in placing the purchase and sale of milk on a good 

 business foundation. The importance of this subject I consider warrants the inser- 

 tion of the principal facts and deductions already published. Fui-ther experimental 

 work is in pi-ogress, with a view to lessening the time emjiloyed in making the test 

 by the analysis of composite samples once or twice a week. 



' Condensed Milk. — In view of the possible development of the condensed milk 

 industry in Canada, several brands of this article were carefully and thoroughly 

 examined. 



Part IV. Miscellaneous Experiments and Analyses. — Well Waters. — In 

 previous publications we have impressed upon farmers and dairymen the necessity 

 of pure water for their stock. During 1891, 29 samples of well-water were sent for 

 examination. The i-eports on these are here presented. 



Prevention of Smut. — Further results of exiteriments inaugurated two years aga 

 for the treatment of wheat for the prevention of hard smut by certain solutions are 

 here reported. The effect on the vitality of the wheat germ by iron and copper 



