AGRICULTURAL WORK IN ONTARIO 19 



and took part in the discussions. One of the Clubs in the county de- 

 veloped into a Fruit Growers' Association. It purchased all the 

 spraying materials and supplies for the members during the past 

 season, and is making preparations for packing and marketing their 

 crop next year. There are but sixteen members in this Association, 

 but I think it will grow rapidly. We spent a good deal of time with 

 the members during the spraying season, assisting them in the pre- 

 paration and application of spray materials, and testing the mixtures 

 and pumps. Each member of this Association speaks in the highest 

 terms of the results obtained from spraying. In Wellington district, 

 there are few fruit growers who will not be spraying another year. 



I attended the annual meetings of the cheese factories at 

 Bloomfield, Wellington, Allisonville, Hillier, Consecon, Amelias- 

 burgh, Rednersville, Quinte, Massassaga and Mountain View fac- 

 tories, and was also present at the meeting of the Cheese Board of 

 Trade. 



During the last school year, we conducted two classes in agricul- 

 ture in the Collegiate Institute. In the Long Course were six pupils, 

 while in the six- weeks or Short Course there were thirty registered. 

 The coming year we are planning to extend the Short Course to ten 

 weeks and we have every reason to believe the attendance will be 

 greater. 



We endeavoured to encourage the rural schools to give attention 

 to school gardens. The Mountain View school had a very good 

 garden and the people of that section have taken a deep interest in 

 the work. The teacher, Mr. J. M. Root, came to us for advice, and 

 afterwards carried out the suggestions given. The garden con- 

 tained plots for each class of corn, oats, barley, goose wheat, millets, 

 roots, vegetables and flowers. It was maintained in first-class 

 shape and created much interest. Indeed, several other teachers 

 have expressed their intention of taking up this work another year. 



Dr. Morley Currie, M.P., donated $50 for prizes for the best 

 essay and collection of weeds from each township in the county, the 

 plans and conditions of the contest being made out by us. .Five of 

 the seven townships of the county had entries, and the competition 

 succeeded in interesting a large number of young men in a study of 

 farm weeds. A number of teachers also became interested in the 

 contest. Two of the contestants and winners of this competition 

 told me that they had decided to attend the agricultural course at 

 the beginning of the year. 



Underdrainage has been practised but little in this county. 

 Interest was created as a result of a drainage survey on a farm near 

 Picton, and discussion at a demonstration held on the same farm in 

 July, 1909. I have knowledge of 12,000 tiles being laid as a result. 



