183 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



7-8 EDWARD VII., A. 1908 



no clear line of demarkation between the surface and subsoil, the one merging into tha 

 other. 



Analyses made in 1894 of the surface soil collected where there was no overlying 

 muck showed that this alluvial deposit was a silty clay loam possessing a large amount 

 of vegetable matter and particularly rich in nitrogen and fairly well supplied with 

 potash and phosphoric acid, but som^ewhat deficient in lime. I then reported that this 

 soil, chemically and physically, might rank with the most productive soils on the con- 

 tinent, provided there was efficient drainage. The slight sourness might be neutral- 

 ized with lime, and that in all probability phosphatic and potassic fertilizers would 

 only be necessary where excessive cropping had been carried on without manuring. 

 I suggested basic slag as the phosphoric fertilizer and stated that if it were employed 

 there was no need of liming, since in addition to phosphoric acid it contained a con- 

 siderable amount of free lime. 



It is the areas covered with muck chiefly where failures have occurred. Analyses 

 of this material, collected this year, have shown, as might have been expected, an ex- 

 cess of vegetable matter but slightly decomposed, traces of clay and sand and a 

 general deficiency of mineral plant food. Such soil is undoubtedly difficult to bring 

 into profitable cultivation, but with drainage and an intermixture with the underlying 

 silt, it can in time be made productive. Basic slag and potash salts are the rational 

 fertilizers for these areas, though, as has been proved by Mr. Oliver, a dressing of 

 barnyard manure may be profitable^ due no doubt to the fact that it furnishes a supply 

 of immediately available nitrogen (not present in muck, though it is a highly nitro- 

 genous material) and the further useful property of introducing bacteria whose 

 function is to make ready the plant food for crops from the inert matter in the soil. 



In the past, farming on the Pitt Meadows has only been carried on with partial 

 success, depending largely on the character of the season. From my survey, and a 

 careful consideration of the analytical data we have obtained, I am convinced that 

 the chief trouble has been from the free water being too near the surface. It is quite 

 clear that there is a necessity over a large portion of this area of lowering the 

 water table. Signs of poor drainage, of sourness, were apparent, and I firmly believe 

 that if by pumping the water-table were lowered those areas included by dykes could 

 be brought into profitable cultivation. There is much latent fertility, especially in 

 the river deposit; such land requires drainage and cultivation only to make it most 

 productive. And for those parts in which an excessive amount of vegetable matter is 

 present, there should be in addition the supply of the mineral elements by the means 

 that I have indicated. 



It is very encouraging to know that Mr. Oliver has commenced a series of experi- 

 ments with various fertilizers. I am sure his results will be found most useful by 

 those who are in this district, which is now very largely given over to hay growing 

 and pasturing. 



Upon our return to the railway station an impromptu meeting was held, a num- 

 ber of farmers having come together and brought samples of their soils with them. The 

 character of these soils was explained and advice given on the several problems in soil 

 management and crop growing that those attending had met with in their work. 



Penticton an'd Keremena. — From Westminster Junction we went to Penticton via 

 Sicamous and the Okanagan route. Penticton lies at the southern extremity of 

 Okanagan lake. The district in the immediate vicinity of the town is evidently 

 destined to be one of great fruit production, though there is also a certain area well 

 adapted to dairying. Comparatively speaking, this is a new coimtry, and it is only 

 v\'ithin the last two or three years that extensive irrigation systems have been con- 

 structed, the land supplied with water and offered for settlement. This work 

 of preparation is being actively pushed forward by the Southern Okanagan Company 

 on the areas more particularly bordering on the lake and at the time of our visit 

 settlers were fast coming in to take up lots which were clrefly of 10 to 20 acres. Quite 

 a large area has already been planted with apple and peach trees and still more will be 



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