58 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS, 



and form dividing lines between the plantations of small and larger fruits, 

 ornamental trees, shrubs and flowers. AH the divisions of work on this farm were 

 making good progress, the fai*m crops all looked well, the land was in good order 

 and the horses and cattle healthy and in fine condition. 



A very large number of the farmers of Manitoba visit this farm from year to 

 year, seeking information on all points relating to agriculture and horticulture, and 

 many voluntary testimonies are j-eceived from time to time in regard to the useful- 

 ness, not only of this institution, but also of all the branch farms and of the eflScient 

 manner in which the work is everywhere conducted. I returned to Ottawa on the 

 2Sth of May. 



SECOND VISIT TO THE WEST. 



A second journey to the Pacific Coast was made in August. On the way west 

 I visited Madison, Wisconsin, and attended the meeting of the '•' Society for the Pro- 

 motion of Scientific Agriculture " held in connection with that of the " American 

 Association for the Advancement of Science." At this meeting I had the opportunity 

 of explaining the nature of some of the work in progress for the promotion' of agri- 

 culture at the Experimental Farms, and during the sessions I was honoured by 

 being elected president of the society. I also attended some of the more important 

 sessions of the American Association for the Advancement of Science held at the 

 same place. Journeying westward a day was spent at the North Dakota Experi- 

 ment Station at Fargo, N. D., where through the kindness of Prof. W. Hays who 

 had charge of the experimental work in agriculture, I was shown through the 

 buildings and over the grounds. As this institution has not been long established 

 there has not been much time yet for tree planting and the grounds in this respect, 

 looked very bare. There was, however, some very interesting work in progress, 

 especially with wheat, with the view of producing new varieties by selection and 

 also to some extent by cross fertilization. Useful experiments were also in hand in 

 regard to a proper rotation of crops for that country. 



EXPERIMENTAL FARM, BRANDON. 



Two days were spent at the branch farm at. Brandon, where the crops were 

 found to be well advanced and many of the early varieties of cereals were cut. The 

 grain which promised an abundant yield early in the season was found to be shrunken 

 and light, owing to the rapid and premature ripening which took place there during 

 the unusual heated term from the 5th to the 12th of August. All sorts of grain had 

 suffered fram this cause, but the injury was most apparent in the different sorts of 

 wheat and barley. The quality of the oats was much better and the yield also of 

 most varieties was good. The root crops owing to hot weather and light rains had 

 not made satisfactory progress, but all sorts of small fruits were yielding well. The 

 growth of the avenues, forest tree plantations and ornamental trees and shrubs had 

 been good, and the general appearance and condition of the farm was both attractive 

 and creditable. 



EXPERIMENTAL FARM, INDIAN HEAD. 



The Indian Head farm was next visited, and similar examinations made. Most 

 of the crops looked remarkably well and did not appear to have suffered much injury 

 from the hot days in August, and the farm was in excellent order. Roots, however, 

 were backward and did not promise well. Austrian Brome grass had given an excel- 

 lent yield of hay, more than three tons per acre, and the crop of all the small fruits 

 was good. The growth of the trees, shrubs and hedges had not been so luxuriant 

 as on the branch farm at Brandon, owing to less favourable climatic conditions but 

 they had made satisfactory progress and have already become a pleasing feature on 

 this prairie farm. 



