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183 



has been abundantly shown that a good water, wholesome for use, should not contain 

 more than -08 parts per million of fiee ammonia, nor move than '10 parts per million 

 of albuminoid ammonia, and the amounts of chlorine and total solids should not 

 exceed 70 and 570 parts respectively. 



Those who are aDout to dig wells are cautioned against locating them in barn 

 yards and stables or near any source of pollution — and this is especially urged where 

 the soil is sandy or gravelly. It has been proved beyond dispute that the soakage 

 from such contaminating sources will travel compamtively long distances in light 

 soil, and it is in such that the well will act as a cesspool. 



The surroundings of the well should at all times be kept clean, and the well itself 

 examined from time to time as to its freedom from refuse material. Vegetable 

 debris and dead animals are often the cause of impure water. The latter has fre- 

 quently been found on an examination of the well, subsequent to a report that the 

 water is polluted. 



As far as time permits analyses of water are made for farmers free of expense, 

 provided that the express charges are prepaid. As the right collection of the watei 

 is a matter of gieat importance, those desiring an analysis are requested to write for 

 the necessary instructions before taking the sample. 



EXPERiiu.fiNTS ON THE PREVENTION OF HARD SMUT OR BUNT BY 

 TREATMENT WITH SOLUTIONS OP COPPER SULPHATE (BLUE 

 VITRIOL). IRON SULPHATE CGREEN VITRIOL) AND "AGRI- 

 CULTURAL BLUE STONE." 



In the report of this department for last year, I gave the results of a series of 

 experiments conducted to ascertain the effect of the above solutions on the vitality 

 of the wheat germ. The conclusions drawn from this work were briefly as follows: — 



1. That the vitality of the wheat seed after being soaked for 36 hours in a solu- 

 tion of blue vitriol (copper sulphate), of the strength of 1 lb. to 8 gallons of water, 

 was eieriously impaired. 



2. That when wheat was treated in a similar manner with a solution of green 

 vitriol (iron sulphate) — strength 1 lb. to 8 gallons— the germ was but little affected, 

 though the growth of the plants was at tirst retarded. 



3. That when the seed was merely sprinkled with the solution of copper sul- 

 phate the loss of vitality was very much lessened. 



4. That if wheat be soaked for 36 hours in a solution of " agricultural blue 

 stone " (1 lb. to 8 gallons), a deleterious effect is to be noticed — evidently owing to 

 this salt containing 30 per cent, of copper sul^jhate. But if the seed be sprinkled 

 only with this solution the per cent of loss of vitality is much less. 



Experiments had also been tried to find out what effect these solutions severally 

 had in preventing the development of hard smut or bunt. These latter failed, 

 owing to the fact that the hard smut did not appear on any of the trial plots here. 

 Though extremely damaging to the wheat crop in Manitoba and the North-West 

 Territories, hard smut seldom develops in this locality. For this reason it was pro- 

 posed to grow the wheat, after treatment with the different solutions, on the experi- 

 mental farms at Brandon and Indian Head, and note the results. 



The Work of 1891. 



A further supply of " agricultural bluestone " was procured, and on analysis 

 yielded the following figures : — 



Sulphate of iron (green vitriol) 69-39 



do copper (blue vitriol) 30-61 



10000 



These show it to be identical in composition with that used last year. 



