428 



EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



1-2 EDWARD VII., A. 1902 



In the estimate of cost, the meal has been valued at $1 per hundred pounds. 



From the accompanying tables, it will be seen that the Brahmas produced the 

 cheapest meat by one-third of a cent per pound. The Plymouth Rock fowls presented 

 the best appearance, being more plump and shapely than the Brahmas. 



Light Brahmas. 



White Plymouth Rocks. 



18 



22 



12 



26 



32 



Oats Compared with Mixed Grain as a Fattening Ration. 



Eight Light Brahmas were used for this test. They were divided into two lots, 

 nearly equal in weight, and shut up in separate feeding pens. One pen was fed with 

 oats alone, ground fine and mixed with skim milk ; the other pen was fed with grain, 

 consisting of one-third each of oats, wheat and barley. 



The accompanying table shows that the pen fed with oats made the greatest gain 

 and at the least expense. 



BEES. 



Of the eight colonies of bees placed in the cellar last winter, six wintered safely, 

 and two died from diarrhoea. These two hives were located close to, but not touching, 

 an outside stone wall, and the frames were quite damp and mouldy in the spring. One 

 of the hives lost its queen during the winter or early spring. This fact was first dis- 

 covered by noticing that the bees failed to gather pollen. A queen was at once pro- 

 cured from the south and introduced by means of the shipping case. The bees adopted 

 her at once, quickly became populous, and this colony was one of the largest producers 

 on the farm. 



With one exception, the colonies on the Experimental Farm have been kept for 

 years without intermixture from outside sources, and they are exceedingly tame' ; but 

 one colony, supplied with an imported queen this year, is decidedly cross and attacks 

 the attendant on the least provocation. It will be interesting to watch the effect of 

 continued gentle treatment on this colony. 



The hives were placed on their summer stand on April ID, and at once worked 

 freely on willow and poplar blossom. 



Although a part of the season was too cloudy and wet for the best results, the 

 months cf July and August were bright and sunny, and the yield of honey for the 

 season averaged 80 pounds per hive, spring count. The quality of the honey was excep- 



