18 



BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



for farmers in some places to get together, and, by raising birds 

 and liberating them after the corn is well up, derive some in- 

 come either by leasing privileges for shooting or by shooting 

 the birds themselves. Apparently, the pheasant has come to 

 stay, and it only remains for the farmers to get some advantage 

 from its presence. 



The introduction of rabbits of any kind should be strongly 

 opposed by all the farmers, as any new species is likely to do 

 untold damage to our fruit trees and farm crops. Indeed, the 

 introduction of any new species of bird or animal for game or 

 other purposes should be known in advance, and a heavy 

 penalty attached to any one who liberates such animal or bird. 

 The European starling only serves as a point at issue, for here 

 is a bird whose habits in Europe are known to be destructive to 

 certain crops, and from present indications its numbers here are 

 likely to increase rapidly. 



The Fertilizer Situation. 

 The fertilizer outlook for the coming year is very unfavorable 

 for farmers, principally on account of the European war. 

 Practically all the potash used by farmers in this country is 

 imported from Germany, and these imports were very much 

 reduced during 1915, although not entirely cut off, as the 

 following table will show: — 



Importation of Potash Salts. 



1913. 



1914. 



1915. 



Tons of kainit, . 

 Tons of manure salts, 

 Tons of muriate, 

 Tons of sulphate. 



70,004 

 66,062 

 102.732 

 21.852 



The fact that Italy has now joined the allies, so that the 

 Mediterranean route is cut off for the commerce of the central 

 powers, combined with Great Britain's ever-tightening grip on 

 German commerce, makes it likely that little or no potash 

 will be imported during 1916, unless peace should come about 

 soon, of which the chance seems remote. 



