REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR 17 



StssiOiNAL kAPEH No. 16 



the same moderate comparison, would furnish 2,500 bushels available for seed or sale 

 at the end of the third year. 



The critical point of these tests is the threshing of the grain at the end of the 

 first season, and it is here that some farmers fail to get the full advantage of the ex- 

 periment. The product of the one-twentieth acre plot is sometimes threshed in a large 

 machine, which it is difficult to thoroughly clean, and in this way the grain becomes 

 mixed with other varieties and with weed seeds and is practically ruined. At the 

 Central Experimental Farm we thresh the produce of many of the small plots of grain 

 by cutting off the heads, placing them in sacks and beating them with a stick, then 

 winnowing until most of the chaff is got rid of, and the grain made clean enough for 

 sowing. 



Where the farmer is to use this seed for his own sowing it is not necessary that 

 the sample be entirely free from chaff. It is, however, most essential, if he is to get the 

 full benefit of his experiment that the grain be quite free from all admixture with 

 other sorts of grain or with weeds. Farmers are expected to harvest the product of 

 their experiment plot separately, and store it away carefully, threshing it by hand 

 either with a flail or in such other manner as they may prefer. The results to be 

 gained will abundantly repay the cost of careful handling of the grain. 



Every season after the regular free distribution of the samples has been provided 

 for, the surplus grain grown on the Experimental Farms not required for sowing is 

 sold to farmers in quantities of from two to six bushels or more each. In this way, a 

 considerable number of farmers are supplied every year with seed grain in these 

 larger quantities, especially from the branch Farms at Brandon, Manitoba; Indian 

 Head, Saskatchewan; and at Lethbridge, Alberta. 



CORRESPONDENCE. 



The correspondence carried on during 1910-11, between the farmers of Canada 

 and the officers of the Experimental Farms and Stations has been very large. 



CENTRAL EXPERIMENTAL FARM. 



The following is a summary of the letters and reports sent out at the Central 

 Experimental Farm from April 1, 1910, to March 31. 1911 — 



Letters Received. Letters Sent. 



Director 



Agriculturist 



Horticulturist 



Cerealist 



Chemist 



Entomologist 



Botanist ' 



Poultry Manager 



Accountant 



82,295 43,377 



16—2 



