33 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 



convenient plots at the Central Experimental Farm, where they could be shown to 

 visitors and their points of excellence explained. He also studied the subjects of rust, 

 smut and such other low forms of vegetable life as are injurious to our grain crops. 

 Dr. Fletcher also devoted much attention to another class of enemies with which the 

 farmer must wage war if he is to be successful in his work; I refer to the weeds which 

 infest his crops. These, if allowed to multiply, crowd the useful plants he is growing, 

 rob them of light and air and of the moisture they need, also of much of the fertiliz- 

 ing material in the soil which would otherwise contribute to their growth. 



In both these divisions of Dr. Fletcher's work the field was practically unlimited, 

 and in preparing his Annual Reports from the large mass of material available, the 

 chief difficulty was to select the best and most useful. 



Dr. Fletcher's first report after his appointment on the Farm staff, that for 1887, 

 may be considered in its general usefulness and the variety of important topics dis- 

 cussed as typical of the series. This begins with an article on the insects injurious 

 to cereal crops, in iwhich those affecting wheat claim first attention, followed by those 

 species which injure other valuable cereals. The species destructive to hay and clover 

 are next considered, then the worst pests which affect field roots and potatoes. Those 

 insects which are destructive to the apple crop were also dealt with, followed by those 

 which injure the grape, raspberry, currant and strawberry. A chapter was also devoted 

 to some of the worst insects affecting forest trees. In all these instances the most 

 useful remedies for the destruction of these injurious species were dealt with. 



The twenty-one Annual Reports which were written by Dr. Fletcher together with 

 the excellent cuts with which the text was illustrated have been of great value to the 

 farmers of Canada by instructing them how to recognize their insect enemies as well 

 as their insect friends, and at the same time instructed them as to the most practical 

 measures to adopt for the destruction of the more injurious species treated of. 



He also waged a constant warfare against weeds, and his reports and bulletins 

 containing instructions as to the best methods of destroying the different injurious 

 sjiecies are highly appreciated and followed by many of the most intelligent farmers 

 throughout the Dominion. Bulletin No. 28 of the Experimental Farm series on 

 Weeds, was written by Dr. Fletcher, in which one hundred and sixty-four of the 

 most troublesome weeds are mentioned and the best methods of destroying them. Dr. 

 Fletcher also prepared that beautiful illustrated work on Farm Weeds of Canada 

 published by the Seed Commissioner's Branch. 



Bulletins on entomological and botanical subjects were prepared, either wholly or 

 in part, by him, of which ISTos. 3, 11, 14, 19, 23, 37, 43 and 46 are examples. His last 

 bulletin was 'No. 52, Insects Injurious to Grain and Fodder Crops, Root Crops and 

 Vegetables. From his busy pen there appeared also, from time to time, many com- 

 munications to agricultural and other papers giving accounts of the occurrence of 

 insect pests in various parts of the Dominion and the best methods to adopt for their 

 destruction. 



For many years past Dr. Fletcher was invited, from time to time, to give evidence 

 before the Select Committee on Agriculture of the House of Commons. On these 

 occasions he rendered m«st acceptable service by bringing under the notice of the 

 conunittee details of some of the more important lines of work carried on by the 

 Division of Entomology and Botany. 



During the past twenty-one years Dr. Fletcher carried on a large correspondence 

 with farmers in almost every part of the Dominion. He also attended farmers' meet- 

 ings in all the different provinces, where, in his addresses, he conveyed, in a pleasant 

 and forceful manner, much valuable information to his hearers. 



In his position as Entomologist he was entrusted with the management of the 

 federal fumigation stations where arrnngimients are made for fumigating trees, 

 shrubs and other nursery stock under the San Jose Scale Act to prevent any further 



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