REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR 20 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



at such time their eradication, will find the weed problem far less trouLlesomc tliau 

 those who att;i(-k the weeds when they have matured and probably already provided for 

 their perpetuation. The specimens collected have been exceedingly well prepared, and 

 liave been arranged for exhibition in a unique and original maimer, which will prove 

 most useful. 



The number of weeds and wild plants sent in for identification was very large, 

 about 1,0G0 having been identified and reported upon. 



The usual progress was made with the herbarium of the Division and in the 

 botanic gardens. Considerable time was spent in arranging, cataloguing, and index- 

 ing tlie botanical library. 



The St. Catharines Field Laboratory is proving of greater value and assistance 

 every year. Very valuable experiments in the control of fruit-tree diseases are 

 being conducted by 3^Ir. McCubbin, the assistant in charge. 



A detailed account of the work of the Division of Botany will appear as usual 

 in counection with the Farm Reports. 



DIVISION OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY. 



The scope of work of this Division, as in the past ^two years, includes directly 

 the care, breeding, housing, and marketing of all classes of live stock and their pro- 

 ducts on the Central Experimental Farm, together with the testing of foodstuffs and 

 the methods in the care and management of stock and of all machinery pertaining 

 thereto. In consultation with the branch Farm superintendents, this Division also 

 assists largely in these various operations on all the branch Farms where live -stock 

 is maintained, thus systematizing and consolidating the live stock experimental work. 



The live stock work on the Central Experimental Farm was carried on under most 

 unfavourable circumstances during the first part of the fiscal year. The lack of proper 

 buildings was a serious handicap both in the routine work of breeding and feeding, 

 and also in the experimental work along these lines. The sunnner feeding work vyaa 

 most discouraging owing to the severe drought, which caused extremely poor pasture 

 on the all-too-limited pasture area. The green feed supplied by the Field Husbandry 

 Division to assist in supplementing the shortage of pasture was also a partial failure. 

 Hence, all classes of live stock were fed under most trying circumstances. However, 

 the excellent crop of corn for ensilage facilitated the live stock operations in the fall 

 and winter. 



There are now 503 head of live stock in the stables, made up as fellows: 15^ head 

 of cattle, 26 horses, 98 sheep, and 220 swine. 



HORSES. 



The horses on the Central Experimental Farm are expected to do all labour con- 

 nected with the various Divisions. This number of horses includes also four pui:-',rod 

 Clydesdale mares and four grade Clydesdale mares of good q aality and breeding. 

 Breeding operations v\-ere started with these mares in the fiscal year ending March 31, 

 1914. Unfortunately, the four foals were all lost, due to being carried from two to 

 four wc^ks over time. Two of the mnres, more or less subject to intestiral tr uble, 

 were lost duiing the year. These are the only serious losses in o-r I've- stock work, 

 and are much to be regretted. A number of the mares are in foal agiin, and with a 

 promise of better success. Experimental work along the lines of feeding, care, 

 management, and housing of pregnant mares and foals will be carried on. 



The horse labour supplied to the various Divisions on the Ccnlrnl- Experimental 

 Farm amounted to 7.174 dnys, which, at the conservative value of 70 cents per day, 

 gives a total return of $*r> 021,80. 



No experimental hor. e feeding work w;.s conducted during tJie year. 



