224 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



4 GEORGE V., A. 1914 



ences between them, eithc-.- in dry matter or sugar, are small compared with those 

 noted for other field roots. The first on the list is Giant White Vosges with 11-45 

 cent dry matter and 2- 3 sugar. The remaining variety follow in close order, 

 mid the averages for the series are 10-50 per cent dry matter and 2-54 per cent sugar. 

 This crop, we have noticed, varies but slightly as to composition from year to year; 

 e\ idently it is not influenced by seasonal conditions to the same degree as are turnips 

 and mangels. 



Sugar beets for factory purposes. — Three varieties of sugar beets — Vilmorin's 

 Improved A, Vilmorin's Improved B, and Klein Wanzleben — have been tested on ten 

 of the Experimental Farms and Stations. The seed was obtained from Messrs. Vil- 

 morin, Andrieux et Cie, Paris, who are recognized as among the foremost firms in 

 Europe for high-quality sugar beet seed. 



A survey of the whole series shows remarkably satisfactory results; in the larger 

 number of instances, the beets were exceptionally good, and in one or two cases 

 only — due to unfavourable weather conditions — could the roots be accounted too poor 

 for profitable sugar extraction. Averaging the results from the three varieties at 

 each farm, the highest sugar-content was obtained at Lethbridge, Alta., on the non- 

 irrigated plot (17-86 per cent) and the lowest at Brandon, Man., (13-40 per cent). 

 At three farms in the series, the average sugar-content was above 17 per cent. It 

 has been conclusively shown from this investigation, which has been carried on 

 systematically since 1901, that beets suitable for factory purposes can be grown at 

 widely distant points in the Dominion. 



Fertilizing materials. — These include naturally-occurring materials and certain 

 by-products of agricultural value by reason of the plant food they possess. Those 

 analyzed and reported on during the year include marl and similar calcareous de- 

 posits,' ground limestone, agricultural lime — a product from lime-kilns — gypsum or 

 land plaster, wood-ashes, river, marsh and mussel muds, lobster refuse from the pack- 

 ing houses, dog-fish scrap, a potash residue from the oxygen- acetylene plant, and 

 several other products of fertilizing value. 



Many of these can be cheaply obtained and will be found of value in improving 

 tilth and for supplying notable amounts of humus-forming material and plant food. 

 Some of them are of the nature of amendments, others may be ranked with com- 

 mercial fertilizers, and all may be employed, as condition- dictate, as aids to the 

 maintenance and increase of soil fertility. 



Insecticides and fungicides. — The more important materials of this nature 

 examined during the year are included in the following list: Formaldehyde, copper 

 sulphate, agricultural bluestone, Carbolized Wheat Protector, Apterite, lime-sulphur 

 wash, potassium cyanide and lead arsenate. 



Only one sample of formaldehyde was found below standard strength. The 

 results generally show that the manufacturers are putting on the market an article 

 of very fairly uniform strength, and in conformity with the guarantee. 



Of the samples of bluestone submitted, two were found to contain notable per- 

 centages of sulphate of iron; they were in fact agricultural bluestone being sold for 

 bluestone, which is sulphate of copper. 



Carbolized Wheat Protector is a preparation found to consist essentially of 

 sulphate of irca and crude carbolic acid. Its effeciency for the prevention of smut' in 

 grain is extremely doubtful. 



Apterite is a compound described as a soil fumigant and fertilizer. It is essen- 

 tially a mixture of sulphides of lime (probably gas lime) with napthalene. Experi- 

 ence in Canada with similar preparations is as yet limited, but such as there is has 

 not been very favourable. 



