DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 41 



the seed for distribution is grown on the Experimental Farms at 

 Indian Head, Sask. and Brandon, Man. 



An annual distribution of free samples of seed grain is con- 

 ducted, for the whole of Canada, from the Central Farm. The 

 samples sent out weigh from three to five pounds each, according 

 to the kind of grain, and are sufficient, as a rule, to sow one- 

 twentieth of an acre of land. Three-pound samples of potatoes 

 are also given to farmers as a part of this distribution, but the 

 Central Farm suppHes these to the provinces of Ontario and 

 Quebec only. Potatoes for the other provinces are distributed 

 from the branch Experimental Farms. 



The whole distribution from Ottawa has amounted to 

 between thirty thousand and forty thousand samples each year for 

 several years past. It is expected, however, that this number 

 will be considerably reduced by certain changes and new regu- 

 lations which are being introduced with a view to eliminating 

 those classes of applicants who do not make good use of the seed 

 supplied. 



The distribution has always been popular and the requests 

 for free samples of the new and most desirable sorts of grain have 

 often been so great that it has been impossible to meet the 

 demand. Undoubtedly much good has been accomplished by 

 this work, although some of the farmers who have received 

 samples have failed to give the necessary care to the propagation 

 of the seed, and have therefore derived little or no benefit from 

 it. Many careful seed-growers, however, have been able to 

 propagate from these small samples with such rapidity as to 

 obtain a large quantity of pure seed at the close of the third 

 season; and, in exceptional cases, two seasons have been suffi- 

 cient to produce all the seed needed by the farmer for his own 

 use and a surplus for sale as well. 



Buildings at Ottawa used by the Cereal Division. 



The principal building devoted to the use of the Cereal 

 Division is situated on the sloping ground which leads from the 

 terminus of the street car Hne down to the southern boundary 

 of the Farm. This building contains a threshing floor, a granary, 

 a writing room, grain cleaning and bagging rooms, and other 

 necessary accommodations for the proper handling and inspec- 

 tion of grain and for the storage of materials and implements. 



The grain which is used in the annual distribution is all 

 cleaned, bagged and prepared for mailing in this building. 

 Great care is taken to send out the seed in the finest possible 

 condition, and, with this in view, the best available grain-cleaning 

 machinery has been installed. All the seed intended for distri- 

 bution is carefully inspected both before and after cleaning and 



