2-3 EDWARD VII. SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 A. 1903 



REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURIST. 



(J. H. Geisdale, B. Agr.) 



Dr. Wm. Sauxdrrs, 



Director, Dominion Expei'imental Farms, 

 Ottawa. 



Sir, — I have the honour to submit herewith reports on horse feeding, daily herds, 

 beef production, pork production, sheep, soil cultivation and farm crops. 



Much of my time has been taken up in attending various agricultural and live 

 stock meetings in different parts of Canada during the year. 



I have to report a fairly successful year in the different branches of my division, 

 and in this connection I wish to acknowledge my indebtedness for assistance and earnest 

 co-operation in their various positions of the farm foreman, Mr. John Fixter, of Herds- 

 man, Mr. C. T. Brettell, and of dairyman, Mr. J. Meilleur. 



The clerical work in this division has been performed by Mr. J. F. Watson, to whom 

 my hearty thanks are due for painstaking and interested co-operation in all correspon- 

 dence and clerical work. 



From December 1, 1901, to November 30, 1902, 3,251 letters were received by the 

 agriculture division, and during the same period 2,815 letters were despatched. 



I have the honour to be, sir. 



Your obedient servant, 



J. H. GRISDALE, 



Agriculturist. 



HORSES. 



Tliere are at present 1 7 horses in the main stables. These horses are expected to 

 do the work in the various departments during the year. The work on the 200 acre 

 farm is but a small part of their duties about 25 per cen They are expected, in 

 addition, to ao each year all the work in connection with the orchards, lawns, arbore- 

 tum, nurseries, forest belts and experimental plots, as well as more or less road work, 

 grading, messenger service and hauling of mail matter. 



There are maintained on* the farm during the year 19 horses, which consume an 

 average of 6,225 lbs. of meal or grain and 5,500 lbs. of hay, an aggregate of 118,275 

 lbs. of grain and 52^ ions of mixed hay. At current prices for feed during the past 

 year this would make a net cost of SI, 896.44 for horse feed. The average cost to feed 

 one horse for the year was $99.80. The average cost to feed one horse one day was 27^ 

 cents. The care of the horses cost in addition nearly 8c. per head each day, and the 

 driver receives $1.41| per day. 



From the above data it will be seen that 10 hours work of team and driver cost 

 during the last year $2.12. In estimating cost of horse labour further on in this report 

 $2.50 per day is allowed. This leaves a margin of 38 cents per day for Avear and tear on 

 harness . and for replacing horses as they grow old. Since the daily allowance of 19c. 

 per horse amounts to $57 in the year of 300 working days, it is evident that all possible 

 contingencies are amply provided for. 



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