64 VICTORIA 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



A. 1901 



REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. 



(Frank T. Shutt, M.A., F.LC, F.C.S., F.E.S.C.) 



Ottawa, December 1, 1900. 



Dr. Wm. Saunders, 



Director, Dorainion Experimental Farms, 

 Ottawa. 



Sir, — I have the honour to submit herewith the fourteenth annual report of the 

 Chf;'mical Division of the Experimental Farms. 



The work of the past year has been of an exceedingly varied character, investiga- 

 tions relating to many special branches of agriculture and the solution of problems 

 affecting farming in different parts of the Dominion, being undertaken. In addition 

 to this class of work, direct assistance has been given by the analysis of typical repre- 

 sentative samples sent in by farmers. Time, however, has not allowed us to satisfy 

 all the demands made in this connection, for we recognize that original research must 

 have the first claim upon our attention. 



In the following paragraphs a brief account of the matters above referred to is 

 given. 



Soils. — Samples representative of a lai'ge area in the vicinity of New West- 

 minster, B.C., occupied by a number of fruit-growers and market gardeners have been 

 submitted to analysis. The results are accompanied by suggestions regarding the best 

 means to supply the soil's deficiencies. 



Soils from the Experimental Station of the North-west Territories, at Calgary, 

 Alta., collected from virgin and cultivated areas, as well as from irrigated and non- 

 irrigated lands, have been carefully examined, and several interesting features revealed 

 in connection with the effect of irrigation. 



A cultivated sandy loam from the neighbourhood of Annapolis, N.S., has also 

 been analysed and reported on. 



Many samples of soil have been sent in by farmers, but since they only received. 

 a partial analysis no account of them has been recorded in the report. 



Valuable results in the conservation of soil moisture by summer fallowing, 

 obtained from an investigation carried on from May to November with samples 

 collected monthly on the Experimental Farms at Brandon, Man., and Indian Head, 

 N.W.T., are recorded. The exceptional character of the season this year in the North- 

 west afforded specially favourable conditions for the prosecution of this research, and 

 as a result we are able to publish data of a most instructive order. 



Wf' have also been able to trace the course of nitrification throughout the summer 

 in the=e North-west soils, though there are doubts, owing to the great drought in the 

 early part of the season, as to whether the results obtained should be considered 

 as normal. 



Fertilizers. — Information as to the agricultural value of marl, woollen waste, wood 

 ashes, from samples examined in the laboratories is given. 



Foods and Feeding Stuffs. — Under this caption many interesting chapters will 

 be found. Eape as a forage plant is being widely introduced. The prominence that 

 this crop has received recently made it desirable to ascertain its feeding value at 

 different stages of growth. This has accordingly been done and is now reported on. 



16—10 U5 



