JN'JHEASE OF THE FOOD SUPPLY No. 72 



seed had been planted, no doubt it was drifted by the wind. In some places thick 

 patches or beds had formed, the largest possibly being about an acre in extent. 

 Then there were numerous smaller patches covering several hundred square feet 

 each and a vast number of single plants or small groups. According to the 

 writer's estimate the total area that would be thickly covered by the wild celery, 

 if it could be all put together, would be about ten acres. This rapid increase was 

 in spite of the continuous ravages of the ducks. One mistake was made in plant- 

 ing the seed which could be avoided another time. The great influence of the 

 wind was not taken into account. The seed was all put towards the east end of 

 the lake ; the prevailing winds being westerly, it was found that there was a general 

 drift towards the east (although the natural water flow was westerly) some of the 

 seed being driven on the shore before it had an opportunity of establishing itself. 

 This general drift could be seen also in the shape of the beds or patches of wild 

 celery, these were always long and narrow, the long side having an easterly trend. 

 In a few years more the plant should be well started over all parts of the lake 

 which are capable of growing it. This would amount to about 1/2000 of the total 

 estimated area in the Province, as it was before the addition of Patricia, available 

 as duck-feeding ground. It does not seem, therefore, such a serious task to render 

 productive a considerable percentage of the possible area on which plants suitable 

 for duck feed will thrive. 



In 1912 a certain amount of wild celery was procured from Lake Erie by the 

 Game and Fisheries Department of Ontario and sent to various persons interested 

 in the question. Unfortunately it was not possible to procure much seed as owing 

 to the cold season it was several weeks late in maturing and at the proper time 

 for picking there were continuous high winds making it impossible to gather the 

 seed. After ripening the seed remains near the surface only about two Aveeks and 

 then falls to the bottom where it is impossible to pick it. 



VARIOUS PLANTS USEFUL FOR FOOD. 



The floating pondweed (Potamogeton natans) is an important source of> 

 food, as it is so widespread, growing not only in lakes but also in rivers and creeks. 

 In these it forms a most valuable food. A full description is given below. The 

 leaves, which float on the surface, are coarse and wiry in appearance and the 

 Avriter has never seen any evidence of the leaves being eaten by ducks. Only the 

 seed appears to be edible. This ripens in September, and in the creeks is a 

 welcome food for the marsh duck, while in the lakes it also helps to support the 

 deep water feeders. It will grow in water up to six feet in depth and it is im- 

 portant because it grows in so many places in Northern Ontario; in some lakes 

 and streams indeed, where feed is scarce it seems to be the only a.rticle of diet. 

 This plant furnishes food in September chiefly. With many of the other members 

 of the Potamogeton family the seed ripens later. 



Another member of the same family is the Potamogeton heterophyllus, 

 also illustrated. It grows entirely under the surface of the water, the leaves and 

 also the seed being edible. The larger roundish leaves are easily mistaken for the 

 Potamogeton natans, hut are submerged instead of floating. The seed ripens in 

 October and the plant grows in water 3 to 6 feet deep. 



Potamogeton perfoliatus is probably the most important member of this 

 family growing in Northern Ontario at the present time, owing to the fact that it 

 thrives in so many places and will grow in a greater depth of water than the others. 

 It is found also on the shoals in Lake Ontario where the ducks feed in the winter 



