23 - EXPBRIMBNTAL FARMS 



6 GEORGE V, A. 1916 



Inspection of potatoes began in December, .1914. A number of inspectors were 

 specially instructed and trained in the laboratories and under the direct supervision 

 of the Dominion Botanist. The work of inspecting all potatoes for export to the 

 TTnitcd States and to the ■ disease-free area of the Dominion was inmicuse, but wa3 

 carried on faithfully and to the best of human possibility. From December 13, 1914, 

 to February 26, 1915, 49,343 bushels of " first-grade potatoes " were certified for export 

 to the States, and up to March 31, 1914, 30,689 bushels for the disease-free area of the 

 Dominion. Table potatoes were inspected and certified for the Dominion during the 

 above period, amounting to 440,038 bushels. Altogether, 526.070 bushels of potatoes, 

 have been inspected and certified during these months. However, on February 26, 

 a car of Canadian potatoes was held up by the United States inspectors because of the 

 potatoes having been found to be infected with powdery scab. On inquiry it was 

 learned that the official inspector of the United States found, after seven hours' search, 

 two potatoes very slightly affected with this scab. In accordance with the United 

 States regulations relating to the importation of foreign potatoes, the permits issued 

 by tlie board were cancelled, and further permits were refused. Since then no further 

 exports of Canadian potatoes to the United States have taken place. 



From our experience with powdery scab in Canada, aiid from the experience of 

 plant pathologists of repute in Europe, v/e were more inclined than ever to the view -point 

 that this disease was not of a character to warrant any such drastic measures. Tlie 

 time, no doubt, will come when the United States authorities will change their atti- 

 tude towards the disease. 



The inspection of the potatoes, qtiite aside from the question of powdery scab, 

 has been found to improve gi'^atly the quality of potatoes shipped outside the infected 

 area. Tliis work is being greatly appreciated by the shippei"s and a large number of 

 farmers. They both realize that the continuation of the inspection would be most 

 beneficial. If it is thought desirable to continue this work, the shippers have expressed 

 their readiness to pay an inspection fee, which attitude is considered quite correct. 

 Meanwhile, experiments are being conducted by the Division relating to effective 

 control measures to be taken against the disease. 



' EXPERIMENTAL AND OTHER WORK OF THE DIVISION. 



A large number of specimens of diseased plants were sent in for examdnation and 

 advice. The experimental work connected with plant diseases included a series of 

 experiments on potato diseases. Tlie prevention of common scab, investigation into 

 the nature, cause, and pi^vention of more obscure diseases of potatoes, as mosaic, leaf 

 ToU, curly dwarf, and internal streak or net necrosis are still receiving the attention 

 of the scientific staff of the Division. The Dominion Botanist, during July and part 

 of August, in comp'any with a number of United States phint P'athologists, visited a 

 large. number of potato fields in the United States to study the diseases as they occur 

 in the fields. Such visits have been found of great value to the growers, who have 

 taken a keen iuterest in them, and who will benefit from the experience, explanations, 

 and. suggestions for the control of various troubles. The work will be continued this 

 year in various localities of the Dominion. 



My. J. Adan.is was absent for several weeks in Prince Edwanl Island, where he 

 delivered a series of lectures ex)>laining the queetion of powdery scab and the now 

 potato regulations. 



Miss Faith Fyles, an assistant in the Division, was absent in the Western Provinces 

 during the summer to collect exhibition specimens of the common woods. She also 

 superintended the growing of these weeds in Ottawa to secure seedling? at their. vari- 

 ous stages. It is intended to prepare a comprehensive exliibit of tlio weeds of Canada, 

 showing their develojuncn.t from the seed to the mature plant. Farmers who are in a 

 position' to recognize the noxious weeds in their seedling stages, and who commence 



