302 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



2-3 EDWARD VII., A. 1903 

 REPORTS FROM PARTIES SUPPLIED WITH SWINE. 



This fall circular letters were sent out to parties supplied in former years with 

 young pure bred pigs. Eleven replies have been received to date. The following 

 extracts will show that the animals have given good satisfaction. 



BROOD SOWS. 



In the early history of this farm the brood sows were kept housed during the 

 winter months in well bedded pens 9x9 feet, and only allowed the use of runways 

 during fine weather, with the result that the litters of young pigs were generally small 

 and weak. Of late years all the brood sows are allowed to run av will in a large yard, 

 provided with a stack of straw for their bed ; and they are only brought into the barn 

 a week or two before the litters are due. Since this plan has been adopted the sows 

 have averaged ten pigs per Htter and nearly every one of them has been strong and 

 viirorous from the start. 



POULTRY. 



during 



the year* 



three died 



ed Plymouth 



The flock of fowls on this farm have kept in good health .„. 



Seventy-three chickens were hatched by hens in the spring, of these only 

 during the summer. The flock now consists of 54 Light Brahmas, 24 Barrc 

 Bocks and 14 White Wyandottes. 



Some feeding experiments were commenced this fall but were not completed 

 time to be included in this report. 



BEES. 



in 



Of the ten hives placed in the cellar last fall, two died, one strong colony from 

 inadequate stores, the other from some unexplained cause. 



They were placed on the stands on April 15 and commenced at once to gather pollen 

 from the willow and hazel. The colonies were weighed in the fall and again in the 

 spring and it was found that they had consumed on an average li^ pounds of honey 

 per colony. 



The spring <vas too wet and cool for much nectar gathering. It was found that 

 very few of the bees left the hive when the temperature was below 50 degrees Fah. in 

 the shade. We notice that the bee's preference for a particular blossom is not at all 

 constant ; one year they work freely on a certain plant and the next year neglect it. 

 This year they worked freely on wild plums and on small fruits, the former being fairly 

 alive with them at times. 



