REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR 23 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



a fairly dry soil during the filling out of the kernel — conditions characteristic of the 

 wheat-growing areas of the Northwest — are conducive to a hard berry with a high 

 gluten content. The scope of this work has been greatly extended and its value 

 enhanced through the co-operation of the Meteorological Service, which has under- 

 taken the tabulation of weather statistics at the various points throughout the 

 Dominion at which we are conducting this experiment and the correlation of these 

 data with the crop yields. 



The experimental work with fertilizers begun two years ago at the branch Stations 

 at Fredericton, N.B., and Kentville, N.S., has been continued. The season of 1914 

 lias yielded results that, in the main, confirm those obtained in 1913, namely; that 

 for potatoes on soil in fair condition as to richness and tiltli, moderate dressings, say 

 ab >ut 500 pounds, have proved the most profitable (though not necessarily giving the 

 largest yields), and that in the larger number of trials better returns have followed 

 the application of a mixture contaiiiing all three elements of plant food than wliere 

 one or two of the elements only have been furnished. These are the two outstanding 

 re-ults of general application and value. 



Plans- have been perfected for extending the investigational work with fertilizers 

 on systematic and scientific lines. For the past two years preparations for this have 

 been made at five of the branch Farms and Stations by cropping, without manure or 

 fertilizer, several scries of plots. The scheme of fertilizing has been carefully thought 

 nut and made as complete as the size of the area set apart for the work would permit. 

 It is proposed to put these plots under a four-year rotation : first year, potatoes, roots 

 or corn ; second year, grain seeded with clover and timothy ; third afid fourth years, 

 hay. 1 . , , ! . • 



The analysis of sugar beets grown ori fourteen of the branch Farms during 

 the sonson of 1913 has given most satisfactory results, thus furnishing further evi- 

 dence of the suitability of the soil and climatic conditions in the widely distant parts 

 of the Dominion for the production of. roots rich in sugar. The varieties tested were 

 Improved Yilmorin A and B. Tres Riche. -and Klein Wanzleben, the seed being 

 obtained from IMessrs. Vilmorin, Andrieux et Cie., Paris, France. This investigation 

 dates back to 1902, so that the results are becoming increasingly valuable for those 

 inquiring as to the possibilities of Canada as a sugar-producing country. 



Among many fodders and feeding stuffs examined may be mentioned a series of 

 field roots — mangels, turnips, and carrots — grown on the Central Farm, Ottawa. The 

 object of this investigation, now in its ninth year, has been to ascertain as far as 

 niig'ht be- possible by analyses, the relative feeding value of the various classes of 

 roots and of the several varieties of each class. In the mangels, more particularly, 

 it has been foinid that large differences in dry-matter content exist among the varie- 

 ties as commonly offered for sale. 



The number of well waters examined for farmers during the year was 336. From 

 the corresnondence on the subject it is evident that an increasing interest is being 

 taken in the matter of the home water supply, and that, speaking generally, farmers 

 ai*e b?c jming more and mxore alive to the desirability of a pure supply both for 

 domestic and stock use. 



The nitrogen content of the rain and snow as falling at Ottawa (Central Experi- 

 mental Farm) ha? been determined. During this eighth year of the investigation, 

 ending February 28, 1915, the precipitation has been below the average, but this did 

 not reduce the amount of available nitrogen for enrichment of the soil per acre, 

 furnished by these sources. The average for the previous seven year? is fi-182 pounds, 

 the amount for the past year, T-897 pounds per acre. 



The samples submitted for examination and report by the Meat Inspection Divi- 

 sion. Health of Animals Branch, during .the year 1014 15, numbered 662. These 

 comprise dyestuffs, preservatives, pit^kling solutions, spir^os and c nd'ments, evaporated 

 apples, preserved meat^, etc.. collected at the various packing houses and canneries 



