2 GEORGE V. SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 A. 1912 



ANNUAL REPORT OF THE EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



FOR THE YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, 1911 



REPORT OE THE DIRECTOR 



WM. SAUNDERS, C.M.G., LL.D., F.R.S.C., F.L.S. 



The final report of the results of the crops grown in the Dominion of CanacL 

 for the season of 1910, as given in the December number of the Census and Statistics 

 Monthly, shows a falling off in some of the provinces, while, in others, a decided in- 

 crease is recorded. The total area of land under cultivation has increased from 30,065,- 

 556 acres to 32,711,062 acres, a net increase of 2,645,406 acres. Notwithstanding this 

 very considerable increase in the area under cultivation, the total value of the crops 

 was less by over twenty-five million dollars than that of the previous year. 



This result has been brought about mainly by the reductions in crop in the western 

 provinces, chiefly due to the great drought which prevailed over a large area in the 

 Canadian Northwest during the greater part of the growing season of 1910. The final" 

 details show a falling off in production of spring wheat of over seventeen million 

 buhels, in oats of over thirty million and in barley of over ten million bushels. 



The eastern provinces enjoyed exceptionally fine weather, the crops there have been 

 bountiful and the quality of the products excellent. These provinces show gains both 

 in wheat and in oats. In wheat, the increase is given as 1,836,600 bushels; in oats 

 28,669,000 bushels. 



In other crops especially important in the east, the returns have been most gratify- 

 ing. The hay crop will total about 15,291,000 tons, the market value of which, com- 

 puted at the local prices this year, will be over 147 million dollars, Much of this hay. 

 which is of first quality, will be required for the building up of the stock industry. 

 This excellent fodder material will be supplemented in the provinces east of Manitoba 

 by a large crop of turnips and other field roots of an estimated value of $20,618,000. 

 also by a yield of fodder corn of 2,551,000 tons, valued at $11,957,000. The total value 

 |->f the hay, field roots and fodder corn is nearly 180 million dollars, being about 

 $17,000,000 in advance of last year. Such substantial returns to the farmers of eastern 

 Canada will provide means for a healthy growth in all branches of agriculture and must 

 prove a stimulus to agricultural progress. 



Among the eastern provinces, all of which have shared in the prosperity which a 

 good harvest has brought about, Ontario, with her large area of land under crop, 

 always occupies a position of prominence. While the increase in the total crop of 

 wheat in Ontario in 1910 amounted to 1,543,000 bushels, the yield per acre of spring 

 wheat rose from 17-45 bushels in 1909 to 20-19 in 1910; winter wheat from 24-24 to 

 25-24 bushels per acre, while the increase in the oat crop in 1910 was 19,725,000 

 bushels, with an average yield per acre of 39-40 bushels, as compared with 34-75 bushels 

 in 1909. There was a slight decrease in the total crop of barley of 225,000 bushels, due 

 to a smaller acreage being sown, the average yield per acre, 29-75 bushels, being 

 slightly greater than that of the nrevious "/ear, 29-04. Of corn for husking, which is 



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