^4 VICTORIA SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 A. 1901 



ANNUAL REPORT 



ox THE 



EXPERIMENTAL FAR 



EEPORT OF THE DIRECTOR, WM. SAUNDERS, LL.D., E.R.S.C, E.L.S. 



In submitting the fourteenth annual report giving particulars of some of the 

 operations conducted on the five experimental farms established by the Dominion 

 Q-ovemment for the benefit of fanners residing in the different climates of Canada, 

 it is hoi)©d that the facts presented, which are the results of careful observation and 

 exi)eriment, will be found of much practical utility. 



The reports of the several officers engaged in the different lines of work contain 

 much information on a variety of subjects, all bearing on practical agriculture or 

 horticulture. The best methods of maintaining the fertility of the land, and of econo- 

 mizing the fertilizers produced on the farm, the most useful measures to adopt in 

 preparing' the land for crop, how and when seed should be sown, and which are the 

 varieties which experience has shown to be the best and most productive, are all 

 referred to. Much information is also given as to the care of cattle, swine, sheep and 

 poultry and the most economical and profitable methods to adopt in the feeding and 

 breeding of these different classes of stock for the production of meat, dairy products 

 and eggs. The growing of all the different classes of fruit and vegetables has received 

 much attention and lists have been prepared of varieties found si)ecially suitable to 

 certain localities and climates with particular reference to the needs of farmers. 

 The selection and care of the many different sorts of useful timber and ornamental 

 trees adapted to Canada has received much attention, embracing such varieties as are 

 specially suitable for shelter belts and others adapted for the beautifying of homes. 



The subjugation of insect pests and noxious weeds has claimed close observation 

 and study, so also have the many chemical problems which present themselves in 

 connection with agricultural pursuits, the solution of which is most important to 

 success. These with many other useful subjects are under constant investigation and 

 experiment. By the use of such information presented from year to year, improve- 

 ments have taken place in farm life, leading to the avoidance of waste, and to economy 

 in production, with increased profits as the result. 



The interdependence of all branches of farm work and a knowledge of how these 

 can best be carried on in conjunction so as to produce the most satisfactory returns 

 under the varied conditions which surround the settler in different parts of the 

 Dominion, are items of information of deep interest to farmers everywhere. The days 

 are passing by when farmers will rest satisfied with the risky position of depending 

 entirely on one crop. With adverse seasons, which occur more or less often in almost 



