REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR 33 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



Bulletins of the second series treat of such subjects as are of interest to a limited 

 class of readers, and are mailed to those only to whom the information is likely to be 

 useful. Copies may, however, be obtained by any otie desiring them, as long as the 

 edition lasts, on application to the Director of Experimental Farms, Ottawa, Canada. 



Three pamphlets have also been issued during the year, giving useful informa- 

 tion, one ' On Preparing Land for Grain Crops in Saskatchewan,' by Angus Mackay, 

 Superintendent of the Experimental Farm at Indian Head, Sask. In this the settlor 

 is advised as to the best methods to adopt to ensure success in grain-growing in that 

 province. 



The two other pamphlets have been prepared by Mr. W. T. Macoun, Horticul- 

 turist. In pamphlet No. 4 the following subjects are treated of : ' How to make and 

 use a hotbed and cold frame.' ' Top-grafting.' ' How to transplant a tree or shrub.' 

 * Protection of fruit trees from mice and rabbits, and care of injured trees.' 



Pamphlet No. 5 gives information on ' Asparagus culture, ' Celery culture,' and 

 on ' Onion culture.' Copies of these pamphlets may be had from the Director of 

 Experimental Farms by any one desiring them. 



VISITS TO THE BKANCIT EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. 



Visits were paid to the branch Experimental Farms in the west during August 

 and September. I left Ottawa for this purpose on August 4. 



EXPERIMENTAL FARH, BRANDON, MAN. 



I arrived at Brandon on August 7. The spring weather here had been favourable 

 for the early sowing of all crops, and good weather conditions prevailed until the 

 middle of July, when two weeks of very hot weather began, which caused the grain to 

 ripen very rapidly. As a result the kernel became shrivelled and the weight of the 

 crop somewhat reduced. Notwithstanding this drawback, the trial plots of wheat gave 

 an average yield of 39 bushels 45 pounds per acre, and the oats gave an average of 102 

 bushels 27 pounds per acre. Everything on the farm was in gcod order, the horses and 

 cattle in good condition and the buildings and implements well cared for. A second 

 visit was made at Brandon on September 22 on the way ea.">t, when the grain was all 

 harvested and threshing was proceeding rapidly in the bright autumn weather. 



EXPERIMENTAL FARM, INDIAN HEAD, SASK. 



The season of 1908 was a fine one at Indian Head also, where I arrived August 8, 

 and remained until the 10th. Seeding had been completed some three weeks earlier 

 than in 1907, and the coming harvest was full of promise. The grain was ripening 

 fast. The weather during June and the first three weeks of July was very favourable, 

 and rapid growth was made. The weather subsequently became very hot, which 

 brought about a sudden ripening of the grain, causing it to shrivel more or less. The 

 weather was exceptionally favourable for harvesting and threshing, and the resulting 

 wheat crops gave nearly twice the number of bushels harvested in 1907. I called at 

 Indian Head again on the way home on September 19 and 20. On both occasions I 

 found the farm in excellent condition. The state of the crops, stock, buildings and 

 implements all gave evidence of careful and constant supervision. 



EXPERIMENTAL FARM, LETHBRIDGE, ALBERTA. 



A visit was paid to Lethbridge on August 17 and 18. Two sets of trial plots of 

 the most important farm crops were established here: one after the methods practiced 

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