REPORT OF TEE DIRECTOR 49 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



by sending the correspondents the material asked for accompaniod by circular letters. 

 This will explain why the number of letters received so much exceeds the number sent out. 



Circular letters, including circulars sent with samples of 



seed grain 45,485 



Reports and bulletins mailed 220,426 



BRANCU EXPEIilMENTAL FARMS. 



The correspondence with the Superintendents of the branch experimental farms is 



also large as is shown by the following figures : 



Letters Letters 



received. Bent. 



Experimental Farm Nappan, N.S 1,616 1,336 



Experimental Farm Brandon, Man 4,464 2,969 



Experimental Farm Indian Head, N.W.T 5,210 5,357 



Experimental Farm Agassiz, B.C 2,586 2,464 



Much additional information has also been sent out from the branch farms in 

 printed circulars. 



By adding the correspondence at the branch farms to that of the central farm we 

 find that 73,317 letters were received and 41,921 sent out during the year. 



k 



NOTES ON A JOURNEY WESTWARD. 



On July 10, 1902, I left Ottawa for my annual tour of inspection of the western 

 experimental farms and of agi^icultural operations in western Canada generally. From 

 Ottawa to Pembroke many good farms were seen. The spring grain all looked well and 

 the earlier sorts were heading. The hay harvest had begun and many of the fields gave 

 promise of heavy returns. In the neighbourhood of Renfrew there were considerable 

 quantities of pease all looking very well. Farming has improved much in most 

 parts of this territory during the past few years. The advanced condition of the crops 

 gave evidence that early sowing was more generally practised and their condition as a 

 whole showed that better methods of cultivation and treatment were being followed. 

 Cultivation, however, was not always sufBciently thorough to keep weeds in subjection, 

 and fields were occasionally seen where daisies and wild mustard had made consider- 

 able headway, but these were exceptional. At several points along the route patches 

 of the bri'-'lit blue flowers of the common bugloss or blue weed, Uchiuyn vulgare, had shot 

 up above the level of the grain, showing that this troublesome weed had become well 

 established in some localities in that district. This is likely to spread unless efforts 

 are made to check it. 



In some parts of New Ontario many evidences were seen of increasing settlement, 

 new homes were being established at diflerent points and promising crops were seen 

 here and there. A few years will no doubt effect great changes in that part of the 

 countiy. 



WINMPEQ. 



Arriving in Winnipeg on the 1 2th a day was spent in inspecting tlie park system 

 of that enterprising city, and considering the dilliculties under wliich this work is con- 

 ducted, the advancement which has been made is highly creditable. Eight parks in all 

 have been established in different parts of the city, varying in size from three to ten 

 acres each, including forty-three acres in all. These breathing spots for the people are 

 greatly appreciated. They have been nicely laid out, and are being planted with trees 

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