270 ~ EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. 



consequence largely increased, although more of this work was undertaken than in 

 any previous year, I regret that other duties did not permit of my accepting all 

 the invitations received. 



Institute and other meetings were attended at the following places by in- 

 vitation and the papers mentioned read hy me: — 



Wawanessa, 13th January, " Experiments in feeding Steers," full meeting. 



Winnipeg, 18th do Dairymen's Convention, "Fodders and Grasses." 



Glenboro, 20th do "Preventives of smut," small meeting. 



Eapid City, 18Lh February, " A Eeview," crowded house. 



Douglas, 25th do Dairy meeting, "Fodder for cows," full house. 



Niverville, 27th do "Summary of experiments," good meeting. 



Morris, 28th do do do large attendance. 



Elkhorn, 4th March " Cattle feeding," good attendance. 



Virden, 11th do " Grasses and feeding steers." 



Carberry, 12th do " Varieties of wheats," small attendance. 



Portage la Prairie, 22nd March, "Grasses and Fodder Plants," large attend- 

 ance. 



Hartney, 23rd March, " A Eeview," good attendance. 



Hartney, 11th May, "Summer-fallow," full attendance. 



Elkhorn, 3rd June, do good attendance. 



Eussell, 6th do " Grasses and Fodder plants." 



Birtle, 8th do " Summary of experiments." 



TILE DRAINAGE. 



Three fields on this farm, two of twenty acres, and one of two acres, have each 

 year been more or less flooded during the spring freshets, making it difficult to 

 utilize them for early sown crops, one field in particular remained flooded until 

 ^uly this year, it was found impracticable to remove the water from this field by 

 surface drainage, and a sj^stem of tile under drainage has been commenced, 3,400 

 feet of this was completed during the fall, and the balance is expected to be in 

 place in time next spring to prepare the land for barley seeding. 



WINDMILL. 



The 12-foot steel windmill mentioned in my last report, has so far given entire 

 satisfaction, and has cost nothing for repairs since its erection. 



Although located directly under a hill one hundred feet high, it pumps the 

 water, grinds the feed, and cuts all the straw required for 35 head of cattle and ten 

 horses. 



With a moderate wind it pumps eleven barrels of water per hour, and with a 

 stiff breeze grinds 16 bushels of oats, or 8 bushels of barley per hour. 



Fodder corn for ensilage was also cut by wind power this year, one ton was cut 

 into inch lengths in nine minutes, by a Watson Excelsior cutting box. 



NEW BUILDINGS, 



A frame implement and carriage building 28 x 72 feet has been erected this 

 year. 



Part of the ground floor will be used for storing implements and carriages, and 

 the south end has been partitioned off as an exhibition room for produce grown on 

 the farm. 



The upper story is utilized for sorting and cleaning grain for seed and exhibi- 

 tion purposes. This building is close to the bank barn and will be a great conve- 

 nience. 



Poultry runs made of wire netting seven feet high and 60 feet long have been 

 constructed in connection with the poultry house. Now that it is possible to keep 

 the different breeds of poultry separate, we hope to be able to test their suitability 

 for this country. 



