REPORT OF MR, ANGUS MAC KAY. 401 



/ 



The three hives have been stored for wintei- in an. upper room of a dwelling house, 

 where the temperature can be regulated as desired. 



HOPS. 



All varieties produced a poor crop. 



From Washington — Did not mature and hops were badly rusted. 



do British Columbia — Did not mature and hops were badly rusted. 

 Native — Poor crop, hops fair in quality. 



WEEDS. 



Weeds are increasing with great rapidity, in many sections of the North-west Ter- 

 ritories and in no previous year have they been so hard to keep in check. 



The three worst varieties that have up to the present become prominent are Stink 

 weed, Hares Ear Mustard and Tumbling Mustard. The first and second varieties men- 

 tioned seem to be the most difficult to eradicate ; while Tumbling Mustard spreads more 

 rapidly from the ease with which it travels over the country and its habit of distribut- 

 ing seed along its path. 



On the Experimental Farm, in former years the Tumbling Mustard gave an end- 

 less amount of labour, as each fall, fresh seed was blown in from neighbouring fields. 

 During the season of 1896, these hot-beds for this weed were taken in charge by the 

 municipal council and little or no seed allowed to ripen. The same course was followed 

 this year, with the result that we are now almost entirely free from this weed, except 

 in the outer windbreaks where some still exists. 



Hare's Ear Mustard does not spread to any great extent, and with very little atten- 

 tion and trouble when it first appears can be eradicated or held in check. If, however, 

 it is neglected for a few years, the soil becomes so full of the seeds that an endless 

 amount of labour is entailed in bringing it to a clean state. 



Stink weed is without doubt the worst.weed in the Territories to-day, from the fact 

 of its being able to stand the most severe winter and cultivation and ripen its seeds 

 several times during each season. Besides this the habit of having blossoms and ripe 

 seed at the same time makes it a most dangerous weed. It spreads invisibly, unlike 

 Tumbling Mustard, it does not blow from the place it grew. Pulling by hand and burn- 

 ing is the only eff^ectual way of killing this weed. 



The bulletin on " weeds," issued by Dr. Fletcher, under your direction, is much 

 appreciated by farmers in the Territories, and a copy should be in the hands of every 

 one interested in agriculture. 



ENSILAGE. 



The corn ensilage of 1896 gave by far the greatest satisfaction of any fed since the 

 first of this valuable fodder was made on the farm. The corn in that year was in the 

 glazed state when cut, and afforded good material for the preparation of ensilage. 

 Feeding was started early in November last, and when the herd was turned out to 

 pasture in June this year, a good deal of ensilage was still on hand. This year neither 

 the supply nor quality equals that of 1896. No covering was put over the ensilage this 

 year, and very little has spoiled, not over one inch on the top of the silo being unfit for 

 use. In former years a covering of cut straw was put over the cut corn in the silo. 



DISTRIBUTION OF SAMPLES OF GRAIN, POTATOES, FOREST-TREES, 



ETC. 



During the months of March, April and May, the following distribution of products 

 of the farm was made to applicants throughout Assiniboia, Alberta and Saskatchewan. 



8a— 26 



