150 



EXPERHIENTAL FARMS 



7-8 EDWARD VII., A. 1908 



"We have reserved for future publication data obtained in connection with certain 

 researches now in progress, in order that the results may be presented in a more com- 

 pleted form than is now possible. Among these investigations the following may be 

 mentioned as some of the more important: The cause of the deterioration of wheat 

 when grown on freshly cleared scrub land in the Northwest; the chemistry of wheat 

 as related to its baking strength ; the comjwsition of Canadian barleys ; the etxent to 

 which land is affected by a system which comprises grain growing and occasional fal- 

 lowings; the amount and availability of plant food in the soils of the semi-arid belt of 

 British Columbia; the reclamation of muck soils; the examination of Senecio jaco- 

 l7oea (ragwort), the alleged cause of the l^ictou cattle disease, for a poisonous princi- 

 ple; the chemistry of the potato; the fertilizing elements in rain ai,id snow. 



It is again with much pleasure that I record my thanks to Mr. A. T. Charron, 

 M.A., and Mr. H. W. Charlton, B.A.Sc, assistant chemists, for much valuable help in 

 connection with the work of the division. To them is due the credit for the larger 

 amount of the analytical data contained in this report. In addition to laboratory 

 work, Mr. Charron, as for some years past, has lectured in French at a considerable 

 number of farmer's institute meetings and conventions on agricultural matters 

 in Quebec and the Maritime Provinces. These addresses have been acknowledged of 

 great educational value. 



To Mr. J. F. Watson also, I would extend my thanks for the very efficient help 

 he has given in connection with the clerical work of the division. 



I have the honour to be. Sir, 



Tour obedient servant. 

 FEANK T. SHUTT, 

 Chemist^ Dominion Experimental Farms. 



THE CONTROL OF MOISTURE IN ORCHARD SOILS. 



The continuance of this investigation on the Central Farm during the season of 

 1906 comprised observations from two series of plots, estimations of the soil moisture 

 being made from July 18 to September 27. July was marked by an exceedingly scanty 

 precipitation — a comparative drought. Wlien this had continued into the third week, 

 iL was determined to ascertain the effect of this extreme dryness on the soil under 

 various conditions, for experience has shown that it is under such circumstances, 

 tliat the beneficial effect of cultivation and mulching and the exhaustive effect of sod 

 and weeds, are more especially pronounced. The data obtained are strongly co7ifirma- 

 tory of many we have obtained in previous seasons and serve to emphasize more 

 particularly the value of mulching as a means of conserving soil moisture. The 

 further fact is also brought prominently before us, that allowing weeds to grow and 

 obtain possession of the land dries out the soil practically to the sam.e extent as does 

 sod. 



The e)?ceptional drought obtaining during July, at Ottawa in 1906, and to which 

 we have refcn-ed, is well shown in the data of the following table, in which we have 

 given the precipitation at Ottawa for the three summer months from 1896 to 1906, 

 inclusive. 



Rainfall at Ottawa. 



