REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR 37 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



A good selection of Yamaska and of Big Ohio X Sumatra was made, notwithstand- 

 ing, and some hybridizing wa5 done. The work of drying' in the open field, which had 

 boon successfully carried out in 1913, was made easier by the use of stronger and more 

 suitable material for the di-ying frames. The drying process was completed in good 

 time, with tlie aid of charcoal stoves. 



STATION AT FARNHAM^ QUE. 



Althoug'h there was an abundant supply of plants, it was impossible to plant the 

 whole area intended for tobacco. About three arpents were cut off. 



The drought of early June was accompanied by sucih violent winds that, in spite 

 of abundant watering at planting time, the plants established themselves with great 

 difficulty, and certain parts had to be entirely replanted several times. Watering 

 had to be continued, a tedious and costly process and one beyond the means of the 

 average grower. 



The harvest was a normal one, and ripening took place in good time although the 

 tobaccos did not have the characteristics of a crop ripened under more favourable 

 conditions. 



The placing of the tobacco on tlie racks, and its drying in the open field without 

 letting the tobacco lie on the gTound, was carried on on a larger scale than at St. 

 Jacques. 



The drying racks were covered at night and on rainy days. By this means tlie 

 yellowing of the tobacco was effected more rapidly and without risks. This with the 

 use of charcoal stoves in the curing shed, reduced the drying period materially. 



Systematic experiment with chemical fertilizers has tended to verify the formula 

 already recommended to the tobacco growers of Quebec. 



STATION AT HARROW, ONT. 



The plantations were made during a showery and rather cool time. This aided 

 the planis in establishing themselves, but was also favourable to the cutworms, which 

 were especially troublesome. 



The soil in the seed-beds was treated with steam. The results were more marked 

 and u-iore favourable than were those obtained by using formalin. 



Among the varieties of tobacco grown at Harrow in 1914 were several types of 

 hurley, recently obtained from Kentucky. Many of these were interesting and 

 some proved superior to the type of " Imtproved White Burley " grown at Harrow for 

 some five years, and coming originally from the Experiment Station at Lexington, Ky. 



Among the yellow, flue-cured tobaccos, the "Yellow Prior" and " Vi hite Stem 

 Orinoco " are noted for their adaptability to the climate of Ontario, and furnish a pro- 

 duct of good colour. Some of tlie Italian varieties give a good proportion of clear 

 yellow leaves, but their texture is somewhat weak. 



As at Famham, systematic experiment with chemical fertilizers is being carried 

 on at Harrow. Although some deductions may be drawn by the reader from the results 

 obtained in 1914, nothing conclusive can be stated from only one year's work. 



The same system of harvesting practised at St. Jacques and at Farnham was 

 introduced at Harrow in 1914. The results wiM be more easily judged in an autumn 

 more favourable for the drying process, this period in 1914 being marked by a pro- 

 longed spell of damp weather which caused mould to appear in some curing sheds. 



INSPECTION. 



This work was carried on mainly in eastern Ontario, the inspector for Quebec 

 having been called to the French colours in Aug'ust. The Ontario inspector besides 

 his special work, supervised the exi>eriments carried on at Walkerville in the use of 

 acid fertilizers to prevent the damage done by tobacco root rot. 



