RETORT OF MR. l r UOS. A. SHARPS 525 



SESSIONAL PmFE.1i No. 16 



PIGS. 



The stock of pigs at present on the Farm consists of twenty-seven White York- 

 shires of all ages and ten Berkshires. Our breeding stock of both breeds are very 

 superior animals, and those sold have given satisfaction in every case to the purchaser. 

 As the price for pork products is high, the demand for breeding stock has been good. 



HORSES. 



The horse stock is the same as in my last year's report, none having died, nor any 

 having been bought. There are three teams of work horses, one of the original stock 

 brought here in 1889, which is a useful beast yet. and a general purpose mare. 



BEES. 



The cool, dry spring and summer was not very favourable for honey gathering, 

 but all old or early swarms went into winter with sufficient stores, and, at this writing, 

 there are fifteen strong swarms. 



FOWLS. 



We have had the same breeds of fowls in 1910 as in the three previous years, 

 namely, Black Minorcas, Barred Plymouth Rocks, White Wyandottes, Rhode Island 

 Reds and Buff Orpingtons. As conditions were not materially changed, either as to 

 climate or care, the results this year were similar to those of previous years. A good 

 strain of any of these breeds are good layers and all, except the Black Minorcas, are 

 good table fowls if well fed and cared for. 



The fowls are kept confined, each breed in a separate pen, with a yard attached, 

 from January 1 to July 1. During the balance of the year they are at large. While 

 they are confined in their pens, the fowls of one pen, each in their turn, are at large. 

 This gives them their liberty one day in five, when they have the range of the Farm 

 and eat grass and insect3 of various kinds. This is likely to ensure a better hatch and 

 stronger chickens. 



The hens are fed mixed grains, about half wheat, one-quarter oats and one-quarter 

 barley or peas. In winter, they have a cabbage head or turnip to pick, also small pota- 

 toes boiled and mashed with any chop there may be on hand ; they also get any milk 

 there is to spare. They have grit, broken clam shells and water always before them. 



Their pens are cleaned once a week, when fresh chaff or straw three or four inches 

 deep is put on the floor. The whole of the inside of the building is cleaned several 

 times a year with whitewash, to which is added carbolic acid. The roosts are fre- 

 quently washed with sheep dip. The hen house and fowls are almost free from insects 

 of any kind. It is necessary to keep a hen house very clean in this climate, as we have 

 considerable mild, damp weather. We find dampness much more trying to fowls than 

 bright, frosty weather. 



There is a good demand for eggs for setting and for any birds, either male or 

 female, which there are to spare. 



NUT PLANTATION. 



The nut trees and bushes are receiving a good deal of attention throughout the 

 province and many letters of inquiry are received and replied to. 



Filbert. — Our plantation of these nuts, embracing over forty named varieties got 

 from nurseries in England, France and Germany, continues to make a strong, healthy 



