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Agricultural Work in Ontario 



BY C. C. JAMES 

 Deputy Minister of Agriculture for Ontario 



\ GRICULTURAL organization in Ontario began after the 

 **- calling of the first legislature in 1792. Lieutenant-Governor 

 Simcoe in his planning for the development of the province 

 assisted in the organization, and probably was the prime mover. 

 Down to 1846, societies here and there throughout the province 

 gave stimulus to the growing of grain, the importation of stock 

 and improvements in agricultural methods. In 1846, a pro- 

 vincial association was formed, through which, in time, associations 

 for the improvement of the various pure breeds of stock came into 

 existence. Encouragement and direction were given by the govern- 

 ment, and on the confederation of the provinces in 1867 increased 

 interest was manifested. The first important step forward was 

 made in 1874 when the Agricultural College at Guelph was founded. 

 The Royal Commission on Agriculture in 1881 traversed the pro- 

 vince from end to end, investigating conditions and arousing in- 

 terest, and the publication of their report in five volumes contained 

 a mass of information and made suggestions that have produced an 

 effect lasting to the present day. Following immediately after, and 

 as a direct outcome of the Commission, there was organized the 

 Ontario Bureau of Industries, whose first business it was to collect 

 and publish reports on crops, live stock, and general agricultural con- 

 ditions. When, in 1888, a department was formed separate from 

 the other executive branches of the government, this Bureau be- 

 came the nucleus of the department, and to the latter was added 

 gradually the work carried on by the various provincial associa- 

 tions. 



Branches ^ s ^ ne wor k along various lines developed and new 



of the fields were opened up, it had to be systematized and 



Department ^g department is now organized into nine branches, 

 each in charge of a responsible directing official. These branches 

 are as follows: 



1. Ontario Agricultural College; 



2. Ontario Veterinary College; 



3. Agricultural and Horticultural Societies; 



4. Live Stock Branch; 



5. Farmers' and Women's Institutes Branch; 



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