1019 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



5 GEORGE v., A. 1915 



and, at the curing shed, a simple arrangement of pulleys, chains, and rails allowed 

 of the whole being raised at once to a position near where the tobacco was to be 

 pJaced in the shed. This did away with unloading lath by lath, wliich is slow, labor- 

 ious, and sometimes dangerous as well. 



The number of handlings of the laths required to place them in the curing shed 

 was thus reduced considerably, and two men were sufficient for the work, even wbeu 

 filling the upper part of the shed. A single pulley was used, although a double one 

 would be of advantage in reducing the amount of efi'ort needed. As soon as the load 

 is lifted oS the wagon, another frame is placed thereon and it is ready for another 

 trip, so that very little time is lost at the curing shed. With the system used, it takes 

 twenty -five minutes to place twenty-five laths in the upper part of the curing shed; 

 the load is raised in three minutes, and while the wagon is away for another load the 

 men have plenty of time for storing the first load. For the same amount of "vvork, 

 three men and one horse fewer are required. Doubtless, perfection has not yet been 

 reached, but a year of practical trial of this method, during which we have constructed 

 a suitable wagon and regulated the mode of work, has enabled us to recommend its 

 adoption. 



An improvement in the curing shed worthy <yi mention has also been made. Tlie 

 Farnham shed has six curing tiers and hence six ranges of ventilators throughout. 

 The lower ventilator is regulated by hand, the others are manipulated all together, 

 this being the improvement referred to, since the use of ladders is done awaj' with 

 and the control of the drying process is regulated much more quickly. Each ventila- 

 tor has an iron brace jointed to a long iron rod, which makes all solid. A counter- 

 poise of a certain weight, attached to the upper end of the rod by a wire cable run- 

 ning through a small pulley, allows of the easy regulation of the ventilator openings. 

 A hook permits of keeping the ventilator in any desired position. 



The management of ventilators has always been an important question among 

 tobacco planters, and the system here described may be recommended. 



IMPROVEMENTS TO THE STATION. 



Besides the work in agriculture, a considerable amount of time was devoted t® 

 the improvement of the Station itself: All the fences were renewed, 8-foot cedar 

 posts being used and wire fencing eleven strands high. The posts were placed 3 feet 

 in the ground and 16 feet apart. Sixteen-foot gates give entrance to the various parts 

 of the Farm. On each side of the road, turned posts were used joined together at the 

 top by 3 inch by 2 inch scantling to which the fenc^ is nailed. On the rest of the 

 Farm, the posts were peeled only. 



Part of the Station is occupied by a ravine, at the bottom of which there is a 

 fairly large ditch. Steps were taken this year to put this land under cultivation, it 

 having produced heretofore only a poor quality of hay which had been used as litter. 

 A dam 45 feet long has been built, containing a 4 foot sluice-gate to regulate the dis- 

 charge of the water in such a way that the land above the dam can all be covered with 

 water. It is calculated that on all this land, a depth of about a foot of water can be 

 maintained for some time. The ditch in question runs for 16 miles through a low- 

 lying and fertile region, and passes throitgh the property of the Canadian Pacific Rail- 

 way works and the northern part of the town of Farnham. It carries with it a great 

 amount of sediment and debris of all kinds, of great fertilizing value. Although, to 

 facilitate the working of the land, it may be necessary to straighten this ditch, the 

 course of which is rather winding, much is hoped for from this fertilizing deposit, 

 which will enable us to increase by 4 arpents the arable land of the Station. Special 

 attention has been paid to the discharge ditches. After several representations had 

 been made, the Canadian Pacific Railway and the Central Vermont railways did the 



Farnham. 



