5-6 EDWARD VII. SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 A. 1906 



ANNUAL REPORT OF THE EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



EEPORT OF THE DIRECTOR ' 



(WM. SAUNDERS, C.M.G., LL.D., F.R.S.C., F.L.S.) 



1905 



Canadian farmers have been blessed vriih anotber bountiful barvest, and tbe crops 

 gatbered bave been very satisfactory over almost tbe wbole of tbe settled parts of tbe 

 Dominion. 



On tbe Pacific coast tbe bay crop, wbicb is one of great importance in tbe coast 

 climate of Britisb Columbia, bas been unusually large, and has been saved in good 

 condition. Oats, probably tbe next largest crop in tbat province, bave given a beavy 

 yield of excellent grain. Barley, pease, Indian com, and field roots bave aU done well. 

 Wbeat, wbicb, bowever, occupies but a small area tbere bas given a crop below tbe 

 average, owing to tbe prevalence of tbe wbeat midge Diplosis tritici. 



Tbe fruit crop, wbicb is fast becoming an important one in tbat province, bas on 

 tbe wbole been satisfactory. Apples, pears and plums bave produced in most localities 

 a medium crop, and in some districts tbe yield bas been a beavy one. Small fruits of 

 all sorts bave done well. 



Tbe production of butter, also of poultry and eggs is increasing, and bop growing 

 is being extended witb profitable results. 



In Alberta tbere is a large and rapidly increasing area devoted to spring wbeat 

 and oats. Tbe cultivation of winter wbeat is also being greatly extended, wbile barley 

 and otber useful crops occupy smaller areas. All tbese bave given very satisfactory 

 returns during tbe season of 1905. Tbe beet sugar factory at Raymond, in Soutbern 

 Alberta, bas bad a good season, and a large quantity of sugar beets of excellent quality 

 bas been worked. Tbe dairy interests in Nortbern Alberta are also advancing, and a 

 large quantity of butter bas been exported during tbe past year. New settlers are 

 flocking in to all tbose parts wbicb are being opened up by railways, and tbis accession 

 of population will soon result in a very large increase in tbe area of land under 

 cultivation. 



Tbe crops in Saskatcbewan bave never been better. Many new districts bave been 

 opened up, and large crops of wbeat grown in localities wbere a few years ago tbe land 

 was passed over by settlers as unpromising for wbeat growing. Tbrougbout tbese 

 western provinces grain tbis year of all sorts was excellent in yield and quality, and 

 was practically all cut before frost occurred. 



In Manitoba also a large barvest bas been gatbered of grain of bigb quality, wbicb 

 has given an enduring stimuliis to business of all sorts, and placed farmers generally 

 in a comfortable position. Tbe larger part of tbe wbeat harvested bas graded No. 1 

 Northern, wbile oats and barley bave given crops of unusual weight and quality. Tbe 

 stock and dairy interests are also making satisfactory progress. 



