REPORT OF TEE DIRECTOR 63 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



Carman No. 1, Early Delaware, Irish Cobbler, Gold Coin. The following sur- 

 prisingly satisfactory yields were obtained: — 



Bush. 



Carman No. 1 444-41 



Irish Cobbler 455-83 



Early Delaware 471-33 



Gold Coin 411-48 



The potatoes themselves looked very well, they were a good size, not too large 

 and appeared fairly sound, although, notwithstanding regular spraying, potato blight 

 appeared late in July, and the tops were to some extent affected. In seasons with less 

 rainfall, no doubt the results would have been even better as regards freedom fr 

 blight. One of the principal features was the failure in rapidly controlling the 

 Colorado Beetle, and it is probable that the control of this pest would have consider- 

 ably reduced blight infection. The experiment will be repeated for some two or three 

 years more, when the details, cost of production, manner of treatment, etc., may be 

 dealt with m a special bulletin. It may be stated that these potatoes also suffered much 

 from storage rots. 



(b) Inquiry into the Sources of Bacteria in Milk Produced at the Farm. 



This work occupied a considerable portion oi the time of the Division. At the 

 beginning of the experiment, the Dominion Botanist, at the tlon of the Director, 



gave a series of six demonstration lectures before the men engaged in dairy work on 

 the Farm, in order to familiarize them with the necessary precautions and the reasons 

 for exercising them at all times. The question was taken up from every point of 

 view, and included the testing of milk obtained by machine milking vs. hand milking. 

 It may, however, be said that, with the exercise of constant care and dilii and 



interest taken in all operations by all parties concerned, there has been pri at 



the Farm, after nearly ten months' work, milk with as low a bacterial count per cubic 

 centimetre as 20O, which may he claimed to be among the lowest in bacterial content 

 of any naturally-produced, untreated milk anywhere. 



ST. CATHARINES FKLD LABORATORY. 



This laboratory was established for the study of plant diseases in the Niagara 

 district, and was opened August 1, 1912. In the thorough investigation of diseases 

 occurring in certain districts climatically or otherwise different from those at the 

 Central Experimental Farm, serious difficulties were experienced, so that it was thought 

 best to place a laboratory in the orchard rather than to try to bring the orchard into 

 the laboratory. We have found that this move met with the greatest appreciation of 

 the fruit-growers in this district, and Mr. McCuhbin, a very competent officer, reports 

 well of the progress of this work. Throughout the season, a study of the local condi- 

 tions was carried on, Mr. -MeCubbin attending and addressing many meetings held in 

 that district. Among the diseases specially taken up may be mentioned the peach 

 tree canker already referred to in previous reports; a new disease in currants due to 

 one of the higher fungi (Polyporus ribes) ; Mosaic disease of tomatoes which appears 

 to spread, and others. Careful attention is being paid to the control of peach yell 

 and ' little peach ' and some work begun by the Dominion Botanist in this connection 

 has given interesting results and important clues. The officer in charge of this labor- 

 atory also acts as an inspector under the Destructive Insect and Pest Act. 



ADMINISTRATION OF THE DESTRUCTIVE INSECT AND TEST ACT. 



Every possible care is being taken by the responsible officers of the Division to 

 1 1] vent the introduction of plant diseases new to the Dominion, and the spreading 

 of such as are scheduled under the Act. 



