34 EXPERIMEXTAL FARMS 



6 GEORGE V, A. 1916 

 SEED PRODUCTION. 



With a view to improving old varieties of field roots by breeding, preparatory 

 experiments were started with mangels and turnips on a small scale in 1913. 



In 1&14, when the conditions in the root seed producing countries of Europe 

 threatened to make a normal supply of seed impossible, steps were taken to secure data 

 bearing on the possibility of producing field root seed profitably in Canada. As large' 

 quantities as possible of suitable mangels and turnips were selected as seed roots for 

 the year 1915. 



POULTRY DIVISION. 



GENEHAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE WORK. 



Since the enlargement of the Poultry Division two years ago, the work has been 

 gradually increasing, and the demand for still greater expansion is more and more 

 apparent. For, though so much has been done to encourage the producer, Canada, 

 according to the Customs returns, even yet does not produce eggs sufficient for her 

 own requirements. 



Eleven of the branch Farms and Stations this year are equipped for work in 

 poultry and practical demonstrations are being conducted thereat. On the Central 

 Farm the stock has been more than doubled during the past year, and good beginnings 

 have been made with turkeys, geese, and ducks. 



NATURE OF THE WORK. 



This Division aims to help the farmer who keeps a small flock of hens as well as 

 the man who depends upon the flock for a livelihood, and with this end in view many 

 of the problems that face the producer are receiving attention, and as the laboratory 

 equipment at Ottawa is increased, research in more of these will be instituted. Among 

 the questions that are receiving immediate attention are: Better housing, cheaper 

 feeds, healthier stock, more suitable varieties, decrease of mortality^ incubator prob- 

 lems, better and stronger fertility, higher average egg yield, larger eggs, better prepara- 

 tion for market, best methods of shipping eggs for hatching, day-old chicks and breed- 

 ing stock, the production of early winter eggs, a more even distribution of what the 

 producer has to sell, the practicability of water fowl on the farm, the prevention or cure 

 of blackhead in turkeys, as well as a number of other common diseases to which 

 poultry of all kinds are subject. 



BUILDINGS. 



The three small buildings erected at the Central plant a year ago have' proven 

 very helpful in the work. The experimental breeding house has made it possible to 

 carry on some special mating experiments. The cockerel house has served the purpose 

 for which it wa* originally intended during the winter months, and has proven to be 

 a satisfactory brooder house for chicks in the spring and summer; the feed and store- 

 house has rendered this end of the work more convc-nicnt, and the basement is being 

 utilized as an incubator cellar. 



The new administration building which was expected during the year has not yet 

 been built and. because of this, the old buildings ai*e still retained, but it is lioped 

 that this building will bo available very soon, when laboratory ^iMice will be provided 

 and more investigational work taken up. 



THE WATER FOWL PLANT. 



Upon the area of land and water which was inclosed last year for a duck pond, 

 a small cottage for the attendant has been erected. During the year tins plant was 

 utilized for the water fowl, and breeding turkeys also were placed there quite recently. 



