184 EXPERIAIEMAL FARMS 



7-8 EDWARD VII., A. 1908 



111 many of the samples of bluestone received from farmers for examination the 

 crystals were more or less covered with an eiBorescence or white incrustation. This 

 was taken as an indication of impurity or at all events of inferior quality. The for- 

 mation of this incrustation is due to a loss of a part of the water of crystallization 

 in the bluestone, due to exposure of the material to dry air. The extent to which thir= 

 drying out occurs, or, stated otherwise, the amount of incrustation formed, will depend 

 on the surface exposed, the relative dryness of the air and the length of the period the 

 bluestone has been exposed. Bluestone kept in bottles or jars tightly corked or stop- 

 pered will not show this incrustation. This incrustation, however, implies no loss of 

 Btrength, but rather the reverse, as weight for weight, this incrusted bluestone will 

 contain somewhat more copper sulphate than the normal blue crystals. As such in- 

 crusted crystals readily enter into solution it may be used without hesitation and the 

 solution will be found to be equally elective as that from the unchanged bluestone. 



AGRICULTURAL TOUR IN BRITISH COLUMBIA. 



In June, 1904, the writer, in company with Mr. J. R. Anderson, Deputy Minister 

 of Agriculture for British Columbia, made a tour in that province with the view of 

 obtaining from personal observation and inspection information regarding the agri- 

 cultural capabilities and possibilities of certain districts — more particularly the 

 Okanagan and Nicola Valleys, which were being brought prominently before the 

 notice of incoming settlers. An account of this trip was given in the Annual Report 

 of the Chemical Division of the Experimental Farms for that year. The knowledge of 

 the various soils and of the climatic conditions under which the soils must be worked 

 proved of such great value in helping those who had already taken up land and to 

 those intending settling in these districts, that by direction of the Honourable the 

 Minister of Agriculture^ Ottawa, the writer made a further tour during the past 

 sunnner to continue this agricultural survey, and more particularly with the object 

 of traversing ground which was not covered in 1904 and which was coming into notice 

 as fruit growing districts. Accordingly, in the latter part of last July the writer 

 joined Mr. Anderson, in Victoria, to enter upon an itinerary previously agreed upon 

 and which would more especially take us through the valley of the Columbia," the 

 East Kootenay and the Boundary districts. 



As on the former occasion meetings of farmers and fruit growers were held at all 

 points where the settlement promised an attendance. In all, 38 meetings were ad- 

 dressed, the subjects for discussion being soils, their origin, nature and economic man- 

 agement; the value of legumes for soil enrichment; the control of soil moisture; 

 fertilizers, their composition and profitable employment, and allied subjects. Mr. 

 Anderson also gave addresses in connection with commercial fruit growing and 

 institute matters. It is a great pleasure to record the enthusiasm and intelligence 

 evinced by those attending these meetings. Many had to travel long distances to be 

 present and it was very evident from the interest taken in the discussions that all 

 were determined to benefit to the fullest degree by our visit. Such time during the 

 day that was not spent in travelling from place to place was employed in going over 

 the land, examining soils and collecting samples for future analysis, taking notes of 

 the crops, water supply, &c., and in giving practical demonstrations in the field. This 

 latter feature proved most attractive and apparently very helpful to the farmers and 

 enabled us to gain much valuable information that could not otherwise have been 

 obtained as to the practices and experience of those actually engaged in tilling the 

 soil. 



Vancouver Island. — Before proceeding to the mainland, a few days were spent by 

 special request in visiting certain districts in the vicinity of Victoria, and which had 

 been omitted from the programme on the occasion of our previous survey tour. 



