146 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. 



64 VICTORIA, A. 1901 



The relative feeding value of certain varieties of mangels, carrots, turnips aud 

 sugar beets has been determined and tabulated. 



Various milling by-products, such as bran, cotton-seed meal, cocoa-nut meal, 

 corn meal, &c., have been submitted to analysis and accounts regarding them are to be 

 found in the present report. 



Certain comparatively new and important legumes have been examined as to 

 their feeding value. Several of these, as far as is known, have not previously been 

 analysed, and consequently the information gained will be of peculiar interest. 



A number of samples of sugar beets have been tested as to their sugar content and 

 purity. These were received trom the Manitoba Government, Winnipeg, from the 

 Experimental i'arms at Brandon and Indian Head, from the !Xorth-west Irrigation 

 Company, Lethbridge, Alta., and from Prince Edward Island. The data are accom- 

 panied by conclusions as to the value of the beets for sugar making purposes. 



Wheats. — A comparative study of the well-known Red Fife wheat with certain 

 cross-Lred wheals has been made. These latter, originated by Dr. Saunders, are the 

 Percy, Stanley and Preston, and were obtained by crossing the Red Fife with earlier 

 rij.ening sorts, chiefly from Xorthem Russia. The close relationship of these wheats 

 with the parent Red Fife is obvious from an examination of the data. 



A rumour being prevalent that wheat of the crop of 1899 contained an excessive 

 amount of moisture, thus impairing its keeping qualities, a number of moisture deter- 

 minations were made, the samples being furnished by Mr. D. Horn, Chief Grain Ir>- 

 sp(ctor, Winnipeg. The results show that the moisture was not excessive or abnormal. 



Insecticides and Fungicides. — Various compounds, such as Arborine, Harvesta, 

 Canadian brands of whale oil soap, <fcc., have been examined and their general com- 

 fiositioii, with remarks as to their probable effectiveness, given. 



IVcZZ Waters from Farm Homesteads. — This useful work has been continued and 

 tl.e results of those samples submitted to complete analysis during the past year are 

 appended in tabular form, together with deductions as to their relative purity. 



Correspondence. — From December 1, 1899, to November 30, 1900, 1,126 letters 

 were received, and 1,453 despatched. 



Tuberculin. — The tuberculin supplied to the Dominion Veterinary Surgeons has 

 been prepared and forwarded, as formerly, from the Farm laboratories. During the 

 twelve months ending November 30, 1900, 20,903 doses, as against 17,179 doses in the 

 year previous, have been sent out. 



Soft Pork Investigation. — As may be well known, we have been engaged during 

 the past eighteen months on a research, the object of which was to ascertain the cause 

 or causes of 'softness ' in pork. A preliminary report, giving many of the results 

 obtained to date, appeared in our last year's report. The analyses in connection with 

 the first feeding trials were completed last June, the carcasses of 187 pigs having been 

 examined and chemical and physical data of the fatty tissue, taken from the shoulder 

 and from the loin, obtained. Many of the results were of such a striking character 

 that it was thought desirable to make a second feeding trial which would include 

 most of the important rations of the first trial, in addition to others of a slightly 

 modified character. This second series of experiments was commenced in the early 

 months of the present summer. 102 pigs being placed in pens of 6 each, 

 under the varying conditions of the trial. Of these animals, in the neighbour- 

 hood of 00 have to date been slaughtered and analysed. The data so far are strongly 

 corroborative of those obtained in the first series, and there cun be no doubt but that 

 we shall be in possession at the close of this exx)eriment (which will be in about two 

 month*' timp) o^ vors- satisfactory and reliable information regarding fc^ie effect of 

 various food stuffs on the quality of pork. 



