86 



EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. 



soaked in cold water for 54 hours. The pigs were given of this mixture all they would 

 eat up clean and each one received in addition 3 pounds of skim milk per day. 



To gain information as to the proportion of the unground mixed grain which passed 

 through the swine undigested, the ercrement was carefully ooJlectRd fo*" one day 

 (24 hours), and washed, when from about 11 pounds of grain consumed 10 ounces of 

 undigested material wa.s separated. Of 100 kernels tested as to germinating power, two 

 of the oats only sprouted. 



The average live weight of each pig when this feeding test was begun was 70f 

 pounds ; average weight of each at the conclusion of the experiment, i75|^ pounds. 



Sold 31st December, 1897. Shrinkage in weight : 



Lbs. 



Live weight, fasted 14 hours 521 



Dressed weight, 24 hours after killing. . . 412 



Percentage of shrinkage from weight after fasting 20 • 92 



VISIT TO THE BRANCH EXPERIMENTAL FARM, NAPPAN, N.S. 



A visit was paid to the Experimental Farm at Nappan, N.S., in October. Notwith- 

 standing the unfavourable wet weather in the early part of the season, the crops on this 

 farm turned out well, as will be seen from the particulars given in the report of Mr. 

 Geo. W. Forrest appended. The great advantage resulting from the under-draining of 

 land was very clearly demonstrated this year. A large proportion of the land under 

 cultivation on this farm has been tile-drained, and thus outlets have been provided for 

 the prompt discharge of surplus water, which has permitted early and thorough cultiva- 

 tion and given conditions favourable for the growing crops. 



Early in October the superintendent, Mr. Geo. W. Forrest, resigned his position, 

 and Mr. R. Robertson was appointed his successor. During the year some of the less 

 useful animals in the herd of cattle were disposed of for beef, and late in the season a 

 number of choice dairy cows were purchased, including some pure bred Guernseys, and 

 these additions have much improved the character of the herd. 



In the horticultural division of the work many new varieties of large fruits have 

 been added to the orchards and the plantations of small fruits have been similarly 

 increased. Many varieties of vegetables have also been tested. The ornamental trees 

 and shrubs and sample hedges have all made fair progress, and the flowers in the beds 

 and borders have given a constant suqcession of bloom throughout the summer. 



