438 KEPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 



With some rare exceptions, all farm products have increased in the 

 same proportion. These resiihs have been attained by reason of the 

 diffusion of the principles of agi-iculture among the mass of farmers. 



Truck gardening has made greater progress in this Province than 

 other forms of agricultural production. Orchard fruits have also 

 undergone an increase and a change to better varieties. 



The use of commercial fertilizers was most difficult to establish, 

 especially among the small farmers, who constitute the bulk of the 

 rural people. They were skeptical and mistrustful and did not ap- 

 prove of the innovation in their practice; but when they repeatedly 

 saw the results due to their use in the experiment and demonstration 

 fields, they gradually availed themselves of its advantage. The use 

 of improved machines and implements has also been generally 

 adopted. With the exception of sheep, which have diminished on 

 account of more intensive methods of farming, the live stock of the 

 Province has increased, especially the cows and hogs, not only in 

 quantity, but also in quality and in price. With this increase and 

 improvement in live stock, the use of concentrated commercial foods 

 has also greatly increased. 



In 1883 the first steam dairy or creamery in the Province was 

 founded, and in 1890 the first farmers' cooperative creamery was 

 established. Since then cooperative dairies have rapidly increased 

 in number until now there are 82, besides numerous private creamer- 

 ies. In certain regions it is still difficult to get farmers to enter into 

 cooperative associations, and butter is still made individually at the 

 farms, but always by the use of improved utensils. 



The jDoultry industry has made notable progress in every respect 

 and is highly remunerative. 



With the vast improvement in all farm operations and products 

 has likewise come a great change for the better in the construction of 

 farm buildings for stock as regards durability, convenience, and sani- 

 tary conditions. When new houses are to be built they are now con- 

 stituted of better material, on a more commodious scale than formerly, 

 and are more conveniently arranged and hygienic. The financial 

 condition of the cultivator is also generally improved, as is shown by 

 the increased savings deposits in their banks. Likewise his daily 

 food has undergone an improvement similar to that observed in the 

 other Provinces. Rural people are dressing better than formerly, 

 and especially in certain regions are beginning to crave luxuries. 

 Their children are being more generally and better educated, and 

 the adults themselves are now anxious to learn through conferences, 

 lecture courses, experiment and demonstration fields, and the like. 



The extension supervisors have held since 1885 about 2,500 confer- 

 ences, not including approximatelj' 1,800 short lessons, and 9,500 

 written consultations have been furnished. Oral consultations are 



