REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. 28 



Some of the less favourable results obtained from the use of artificial fertilizers 

 which from the nature of their constituents are known as complete fertilizers are 

 unexpected and disappointing and cannot at present be explained. In all probability 

 the experience of a few more years will throw further light on the subject. 



DISTEIBUTION OF SEED GRAIN. 



This useful department of the work of the experimental farms has demanded 

 increased attention during the past year in consequence of the very large number of 

 applications which have been received from all parts of the Dominion. This grati- 

 fying appreciation of the value of this distribution of useful varieties of seed grain, 

 while manifest in most of the provinces has been most marked in the province of 

 Quebec. 11,113 samples of 3 lbs. each were sent to this province, an increase of 2,596 

 over last year, and there still remained at the close of the distribution two or three 

 thousand applications which had been received late and which could not be supplied, 

 as the available stock of good grain was exhausted. To nearly all the provinces of 

 the Dominion the number of samples sent from Ottawa in 1893 was in excess of 

 any previous year. There was a slight falling off in the number sent to the JSTorth- 

 west Territories, also to British Columbia. This apparent deficiency has been partly 

 if not wholly made up by the larger quantity of samples sent to farmers direct from 

 the experimental farms in- the North-west Territories and British Columbia. At 

 all the branch farms a distribution of such samples now takes place annually to the 

 great satisfaction of the farmers in the provinces and territories where these insti- 

 tutions are located. It is highly desirable that all applications for samples of seed 

 grain should be made as early in the year as practicable, if delayed there is much 

 greater difficulty in meeting the wishes of applicants. The distribution consists 

 mainly of samples of the principal cereals and not more than two are sent to any 

 one applicant. No seeds of field roots, garden vegetables or flowers are supplied. 



The samples sent out during the early months of 1893 were distributed as 

 follows : — 



Prince Edward Island. 



Oats 150 



Barley 133 



Wheat 131 



Pease 21 



Indian corn 67 



Potatoes 17 



Number of applicants supplied 281.- 



519 



/ 



Nova Scotia. 



Oats 486 



Barley 460 



Wheat 254 



Pease 65 



Indian corn 278 



Potatoes... 81 



1,624 

 Number of applicants^supplied 860. 



