52 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. 



64 VICTORIA, A. 1901 



(h.) Investigate the diseases to which domestic animals are subject ; 

 (i.) Ascertain the vitality and purity of agricultural seeds ; and 

 (j.) Conduct any other experiments and researches bearing upon the agricultural 

 industry of Canada, which may be approved by the Minister of Agriculture. 



In October, 18S6, I had the honour of being appointed Director of the experi- 

 mental farms for Canada, and under Sir John Carling, was intrusted with the work 

 of selecting the necessary sites also in the choice of the officers required to carry on 

 (he work of the several institutions. Within two years the land for the several farms 

 was secured, the necessary officers appointed, most of the buildings erected and the 

 farms put in practical operation. The central farm was located near Ottawa, the 

 branch farm for the three eastern provinces at IsTappan, Xova Scotia, a central point 

 near the boundary of New Brunswick and fairly cenvenient to Prince Edward Island. 

 The experimental faim for Manitoba was placed at Brandon, that for the Xorth-west 

 Territories at Indian Head, in Assiniboia, and the farm for British Columbia at 

 Agas.-iz, in the coast climate of that province. 



In the choosing of these sites the purpose in view was to have them so located as to 

 be fairly ropresentative of the larger settled areas in the provinces in which they were 

 placed, while in the arrangement of the work such experiments as would be most 

 likely to be beneficial to the laiger number of settlers in each case were among the 

 first to engage the attention of the officers in charge. 



Twelve years have passed since this work was inaugurated and during that time 

 agriculture in Canada has made unprecedented advancement. While it is not claimed 

 that this progress has been wholly due to the work and influence of the Dominion 

 Experimental Farms, much credit is justly due to the various measures carried on by 

 the useful organisations established by the several provinces. There is, however, no 

 doubt that the institutions established by the Federal Government have been a most 

 important factor in this connection. The progress referred to has resulted in imprnv- 

 irg the co'idition of the agiicultural population all over the country, and in a vast 

 increase in the exports of agricultural products. 



Investigation and experimental research has been carried on along all the lines 

 of work laid down in the Act which originated these farms and a great mass of 

 important facts have been accumulated in all branches of agriculture, and those 

 sciences v.diich contribute to a thorough knowledge of its governing laws as may be 

 feen in the annual reports presented to the government. 



There is probably no employment which engages man's attention, that requires more 

 skill and more general information than farming. Competition is keen throughout 

 the civilized world, and the farmer must turn to pi'actical accou^nt every advantage 

 within his reach bearing on the improvement, in the quality of his products and in 

 lessening the cost of their production if he is to maintain and improve his position. 



When the experimental farms were planned it was intended that they should 

 become bureaus of information to which farmers could apply from time to time to aid 

 them in the ?olu ion of difficulties which frequently present themselves during the 

 pi-opTe^s of farm work. Evidence of their usefulness in this way is furnished in the 

 r."pid increase of lhe correspondence carried on with farmers in all parts of the 

 Dominion. In 1889, the year after the farms had become fairly organised, the number 

 of letfeis received was about 8,000. During 1899 there were received at the several 

 experimental farms 69,fi69 letters, of which written replies were sent to 3G,590, the 

 remainder were of such a nature as to admit of their being answered by printed 

 circulars. In addition 215,000 reports and bulletins were sent out. There is thus 

 a constant flow of information going to Canadian farmers from all the experimental 

 farms which is producing excellent results. 



It is, as a rule, a diflicult matter to bring about rapid changes in the ideas and 

 practice of farmers, but as soon as they are convinced that experimental work is 

 carried on in a practical manner by persons competent to give information, that it is 



