REPORT OF TEE DIRECTOR 33 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



is gradually but surely building up the fertility of our soil. Using the same prices 

 throughout, the value of the products of the 200-acre farm per acre were: $14.39 in 

 1899, $21.30 in 1-900, $22.98 in 1901, $24.18 in 1902, $21.61 in 1903, $24.50 in 1904), 

 $29.30 in 1905, $23.23 in 1906, $24.45 in 1907, $23.87 in 1908, $28.51 in 1909, $29.58 

 in 1910, $27.38 in 1911 and $31.63 in 1912. 



PROPOSED EXPERIMENTAL WORK. 



In addition to the rotation tests and to the costs-of-production work now under 

 way, it is proposed to inaugurate a series of cultural experiments similar in purpose 

 and outline to those being conducted on our Prairie Farms. In the carrying out of 

 such work we are, however, very greatly handicapped because of the limited area of 

 land at our disposal. The growth of the other Divisions and the establishment of new 

 Divisions have necessitated the concession of small areas from time to time to make 

 possible the new work. We have now, in all, less than two hundred acres on which 

 to carry the stock of the Division of Animal Husbandry, and to conduct experiments, 

 which cannot always be designed to supply the greatest amounts of the kinds of food 

 required. By the use of soiling crops and other intensive methods, we have endeav- 

 oured to produce a maximum of feeds. Much further economizing of space through 

 this means is not practicable, however, and I would present for your consideration the 

 need to acquire more land, if the Division is to carry out to best advantage the work 

 for which it was instituted. 



ANIMAL HUSBANDRY DIVISION. 



At the commencement of the fiscal year of 1912-13, the Animal Husbandry work 

 was made into a Division separate from Field Husbandry, by the splitting up of the 

 former Agric\iltural Division. Two appointments were made, namely, E. S. Archi- 

 bald, B.A., B.S.A., as Dominion Animal Husbandman, and G. B. liothwell, B.S.A., as 

 Assistant Dominion Animal Husbandman. The field of work for this new Division 

 covers directly the care, breeding, feeding, housing and marketing, the testing of 

 foodstuffs, live stock methods and machinery, and much similar investigational work 

 with horses, cattle, sheep and swine on the Central Experimental Farm. In con- 

 sultation with the Director and the Branch Farm Superintendents, this Division will 

 assist in the same lines of work on the Branch Farms, thus consolidating and sys- 

 tematizing the live stock experimental work. 



The year 1912-13 has been most favourable to • all classes of live stock on the 

 Central Farm. Grass started early in the spring and, although suffering slightly 

 during the drought 'of July, yet the copious fall rains induced very heavy after-growth, 

 which afforded excellent pasture. Unfortunately, owing to the shortage of land, only 

 nineteen acres are available for pasturage, which prevents the expansion of the live 

 stock work. However, the Field Husbandry Division supplies a large amount of 

 soiling crops which facilitates fairly extensive animal feeding. 



There are 369 head of live stock at present in the stables, made up as follows: 

 18 horses, 114 pure-bred breeding dairy cattle, 24 grade dairy cattle, 5 beef steers, 57 

 sheep and 151 swine. 



HORSES. 



During past years, the horses were kept for labour purposes exclusively, but during 

 the year 1912 a small start was made in breeding work. This is to gather data relat- 

 ing to the cost of colt rearing and the many other phases of the horse industry. That 

 every farmer should do a large amount of this work with brood mares, and raise one 

 or more colts per year, we are convinced is profitable. Data on this subject will be 

 most valuable. 



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