48 EXPERIMENTAL FAHMH. 



64 VICTORIA, A. 190T 



The recent lamented dealh of Sir John Lawes had thrown a gloom over Rothani- 

 sted and deprived me of the pleasure I had hoped for of renewing the acquaintance 

 formed in 1886 with that venerable experimenter. Sir Henry Gilbert was also absent, 

 but Dr. N. H. Miller, who was in charge, very kindly showed me over the grounds 

 and answered my many inquiries. 



The grain harvest was over at the time of my visit, but I saw the plots of root.s 

 grown with and without fertilizers, also the grass plots from which a second crop 

 was then being cut. It was a great pleasure to see these experimental grounds once 

 more, and with Dr. Miller's kindly help the visit was made" a very instructive one. 



Visits were also made while in England to some of the leading nurseries — to 

 Dickson's extensive grounds at Chester, where a large number of most interesting 

 things were seen ; to Sutton's seed warehouses and trial grounds at Reading, ta 

 Barr & Sons, the well-known growers of narcissus and paeonies and to Amos Perry** 

 noted establishment for hardy perennials, at Winchmore Hill, near London. At all 

 these places valuable material was secured for experimental tests in Canada. 



WALES. 



Several days were spent in Wales, this was early in August when the crops were 

 still un the ground. Much of the grain over most of the country travelled was lodged,, 

 and the crops seemed light, and the general condition of the farming of the country- 

 appeared to be backward. The small black Welsh cattle were common and Welsh sheep 

 very plentiful, but the swine seen were of a very nondescript character. 



The objective point in this journey was the Agricultural College at Aberyscwith, 

 and the scenery of the country passed through was delightful. On the way many large 

 tree plantations were observed where bare hills had been clothed with a luxuriant 

 growth of European larch, many of the plantations having attained a sufficient size 

 to furnish merchantable timber. 



Aberystwith is very prettily situated on the sea shore, and from the college 

 buildings there are fine views of the water. 



The teaching carried on in the agricultural department at the college consists 

 of a three years' course for the degree in agriculture, a two years' course for a diploma, 

 and a seven weeks' course for farmer's sons, when, if the prescribed examination is 

 passed, a certificate of proficiency is given. 



In dairying several courses of instruction are carried on, a twenty weeks' course, 

 a ten weeks' course, and also one of six weeks. Instruction in dairying is also given at 

 local centres by means of travelling dairies, and courses of lectures on agriculture are 

 also given to farmers in rural centres in the adjoining counties. 



About two acres of land convenient to the college are under control of the agri- 

 cultural staflF, and an additional area of 30 acres has been recently secured. One acre 

 is devoted to an experimental orchard, about one half of which has been planted with 

 apples, pears and plums. Half an acre is in use for testing different sorts of vegetables 

 and a quarter of an acre is devoted to experiments with grain, in testing the influence 

 of fertilizers of different sorts on their growth. 



An association has been formed there of ex-students, to carry on experiments 

 with fertilizers on their individual farms, and there are now in all about 40 of these 

 co-operative stations. 



SCOTLAND. 



Glasgow and Edinburgh were the points visited. A few hours were pleasantly 

 occupied in examining the collection of trees, shrubs and plants brought together in 

 the Glasgow Botanic Gardens, and in visiting the buildings in course of construction 

 for the great exhibition to be held there in 190L The chief object in my visit to 

 Glasgow was to gain some information regarding the West of Scotland Agricultural 

 College. 



