REPORT 



OF THE 



ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST 



(James Fletcher, LL.D., F.R.S.C, F.L.S.) 

 1898. 



Dr. W. Saunders, 



Director, Dominion Experimental Farms, 

 Ottawa. 



Sir, — I have the honour to hand you herewith a report on some of the most impor- 

 tant subjects which have been brought officially under my notice during the past season. 



As in former years it is, of course, impossible and unnecessary to treat in the annual 

 report of the Division of many subjects which have required attention by the Entomolo- 

 gist and Botanist and his Assistant during the year. The correspondence has increased 

 considerably and is of a varied character ; there were 2,771 letters received and 2,906 

 sent out. 



I have had several opportunities of studying important outbreaks of injurious 

 insects and noxious weeds in the field and of attending meetings in widely separated 

 parts of Canada, where it has always been my endeavour to bring prominently before 

 farmers the work which is being done for them in my Division. These occasions have 

 been of inestimable service to me in learning the difi'erent conditions prevailing and the 

 methods of farming in vogue in the various parts of the Dominion. 



The experiments with grasses and fodder plants have been continued and are al- 

 ways of great interest to visitors. It is satisfactory to be able to record the great success 

 which has attended the extensive introduction of Awnless Brome grass into the arid 

 regions of the West. Where it has been tried in the East it is also spoken of very highly 

 and is a heavy producer of excellent fodder and hay. 



Mclver's Rye-grass or Western Rye-grass, a form of Agropyrum tenerum, Vasey, 

 found wild in Manitoba and cultivated for some years by the introducer, Mr. K. Mclver, 

 of Virden, Man., has given most satisfactory results as a hay and pasture grass. Mr. 

 S. A. Bedford, Superintendent of the Brandon Experimental Farm, who has grown it 

 for many years has always spoken of it in the highest terms. This is also the case with 

 Mr. Angus Mackay, at Indian Head, and with some others who have tried this grass. 



Of many mixtures for permanent pastures, grown together under the same circum- 

 stances, that known as the Experimental Farm Mixture has again given the best results. 

 This mixture consists of : Timothy, 6 pounds, Meadow Fescue, 4 pounds ; Orchard-grass, 

 2 pounds ; Kentucky Blue-grass, 1 pound (where the ground is low, add 1 pound 

 of Red Top) ; with the above sow the following clovers : Common Red, 1 pound ; Mam- 

 moth Red, 1 pound ; Alsike, 2 pounds ; Lucerne, 2 pounds ; White Dutch, 2 pounds. 

 The above quantity of seed is for one acre. 



Some rather important experiments have been begun along the Ottawa River in 

 the province of Quebec to utilize the swampy lands in places subject to denudation or 

 drowning out during the spring freshets. Mr. C. D. Tylee, of Ste. Therese de Blainville, 



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