66 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



4 GEORGE V., A. 1914 



incubator, until the breeding stock has had 'an opportunity of running outside after 

 the snow has gone, usually about the end of March. By so doing, the birds have an 

 opportunity of recovering from their long confinement during the winter. Another 

 advantage is that the chickens will hatch out when the weather is genial and the 

 grass growing rapidly. 



It is a mistake, however, to postpone hatching operations too long, as late-hatched 

 pullets are non-productive during the period of highest prices, the early winter 

 months. 



A great deal of study and experimental work has been devoted to the preservation 

 of eggs laid in the summer months for use in the winter season, when production is 

 at its lowest. The Dominion Chemist, Mr. Frank T. Shutt, has tried a great number 

 of fluids and preparations and has found that the two best preservatives are a solution 

 of water glass and lime water. Eggs preserved in either of these have been kept 

 quite sound for over a year. 



With the co-operation of the Biological Laboratory of the Health of Animals 

 Branch, methods looking to the prevention and cure of tuberculosis in fowls and of 

 blackhead, usually found in its most aggravated form in turkeys, are being sought for. 



During the year, the Poultry Manager, Mr. A. G. Gilbert, made an extended trip 

 through the western provinces, to examine into conditions there and to lay the founda- 

 tion for more extended work with poultry in that part of the Dominion. 



TOBACCO DIVISION.. 



The year 1912-13 has been a year of progress and transformation for this 

 Division. 



Up to the present, the Tobacco Division, besides imparting information to the 

 farmers, has been carrying experiments on three Stations, one in Ontario (Harrow) 

 and two in Quebec (St. Jacques l'Achigan and St. Cesaire) as well as on a trial plot 

 at the Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa. 



Unfortunately, the Quebec Stations were of such small size that, whenever several 

 varieties were grown together during the same season, the product of each was so 

 small that it was practically useless to prepare it for the trade. 



The St. Cesaire Station, which covered an area of 7 acres, has been replaced by 

 the Farnham Station, situated in the same district, but of a much larger area (74 

 arpents'), near the town of Farnham. This new Station was taken over by the 

 Division on May 28, 1912, shortly before transplanting time. 



CENTRAL EXPERIMENTAL FARM. 



Fermentation. — On account of delay in delivering the crop to the fermentation 

 warehouse, treatment of the 1912 crop was not started until April 11. It was super- 

 vised by a foreman who had had two years' experience in tobacco warehouses at Farn- 

 ham and St. Cesaire. 



Good temperatures were obtained in the piles of tobacco, although the crop was 

 a little dry. The maximum temperatures were 49° C. and 51° C. The products were 

 fermented three times in succession before being finally packed. The total time 

 required for the fermentation from the moment the first bulk was formed until the 

 products were packed was as follows: Fillers, from April 11 to June 18; binders, 

 from May 11 to September 2. At the end of the operation the tobacco was in good 

 condition, and of a fairly bright colour, with a good aroma and no rankness. 



The crop. — The seedlings of the 1912 crop were set out on May 28. The beds 

 which were established on black loam, disinfected with formalin, were very success- 

 ful and gave a large number of seedlings. 



