REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR 87 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



LIVE STOCK. 



The herd of cattle consists chiefly of the milking type of Shorthorn. The milk 

 records show that, while these cattle cannot equal the regular dairy breeds in milk 

 production, they do much better than the ordinary cattle of the country. At the 

 same time, they are capable of producing offspring of reasonably good beef type. 

 From December 19th, to January 18th inclusive, one of these cows gave 1,810$ 

 pounds of milk. Great interest is taken in this type of cattle by the farmers of Mani- 

 toba and the other western provinces, and there is quite a keen demand for young 

 stock. All the males and the surplus females are sold to farmers at low rates. In 

 addition to Shorthorns, two Ayrshire females and two grade females are on hand. 



An experiment in feeding steers outdoors, as compared with stabling, was com- 

 pleted in May, 1912. As in previous experiments of this nature, outdoor feeding 

 was proven to be practicable and profitable. In November, 1912, a carload of steers 

 was purchased, in order to continue the steer-feeding experiments. This year all 

 the steers are being fed outdoors, but some receive alfalfa in place of part of the grain 

 ration. The experiment is not completed at the time of writing. 



The flock of ewes has done well during the season, and has produced a good crop 

 of lambs. A hundred range lambs were purchased in November, 1912, for the pur- 

 pose of conducting a feeding experiment. One night in January, dogs attacked them 

 and worried them so badly that thirty-three of them were killed or injured so seriously 

 as to necessitate their being killed. The remainder were so upset by fright and lesser 

 injuries, that the experiment was rendered entirely valueless. 



A small number of Yorkshire and Berkshire swine are kept; they have done well 

 during the season. A feeding experiment was conducted to compare the feeding 

 values of barley and shorts. The result proved a victory for the barley. 



A sufficient number of horses are kept to do the work of the Farm. No experi- 

 ments have been conducted with horses, and very little breeding. 



HORTICULTURE. 



Twenty-three varieties of potatoes were tested in uniform test rows, and were 

 also subjected to a cooking test. Tests were also made of the effect of various com- 

 mercial fertilizers on potatoes. The usual variety tests of all the different kinds of 

 garden vegetables were also conducted. Garden crops were fairly successful, yield- 

 ing abundant crops, in most instances, but being rather late. 



The usual display of flowers was made, and was greatly admired by numerous 

 visitors. Sweet peas were specialized in, and fifty-seven varieties were in bloom at 

 one time. 



No additions were made to the arboretum. Notes were taken as usual on the 

 growth, hardiness and other characteristics of all the different kinds of trees and 

 shrubs. 



Additions were made to the fruit orchard by purchasing trees of promising 

 varieties of apples and plums from several nursery firms, and planting them out in 

 the place of other trees that had died or proven unsatisfactory. A good crop of 

 native plums was harvested, and quite a number of cross-bred apples, of very good 

 quality and fair size, were produced. Three thousand young apple seedlings of 

 standard varieties were received from the Dominion Horticulturist, and planted out 

 in nursery rows. A new plantation of bush fruits was set out. Specimens of the 

 most promising varieties of black, red and white currants, gooseberries and rasp- 

 berries are included in the plantation. 



POULTRY AND BEES. 



Small flocks of hens, of Barred Rock and Silver Grey Dorking breeds, are kept. 

 No experimental work with poultry has been done during this year. The birds have 

 been healthy and have laid reasonably well. 



