DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 121 



under rotation, the vegetable fibre had been exhausted to a great 

 extent. As a result, the lighter soil on the higher land has shown 

 a tendency to blow. This is being gradually checked by follow- 

 ing a rotation of crops including hay and pasture. 



In 1907, work was commenced to determine what varieties 

 of cereals, potatoes, roots, vegetables, large and small fruits, 

 trees, shrubs and flowers are best suited to conditions of soil and 

 climate as represented by this Station. Cultural experiments 

 are being conducted in order to satisfactorily answer questions 

 as to treatment of soil under all conditions which would ordinarily 

 arise in the growing of crops. Full data with regard to the cost 

 of producing crops under each of the different rotations outlined 

 are being kept. Within a few yea^s, the suitability of any given 

 rotation both with regard to the cost of crops in manual and 

 horse labour, land rental, manure, machinery depreciation and 

 also its cost in soil fertility will be established. A check plot for 

 each rotation located in virgin soil, from which soil samples were 

 taken before a crop was grown, will reveal through succeeding 

 analyses the effect of each system upon soil fertility. Thus will 

 be possible a two-fold answer to the question, ^'What does a 

 bushel of grain cost under any given system being tried"? 



An opportunity to test out the efficiency of any system for 

 the eradication of weeds is offered through the selection of this 

 particular farm. The means used, such as sowing clean seed, 

 harrowing after grain is up, discing after binder, are beginning 

 to reduce weed seeds, which constituted one-third by weight of 

 the total grain threshed on the Station in 1907. 



The annual precipitation averages about 15 inches but, on 

 account of the storehouse for moisture afforded by a soil rich in 

 humus to great depths, this is held for the use of plants and since 

 the Station was established, has been ample, even in driest years, 

 to bring heavy crops to perfect maturity. We find such a soil 

 capable of carrying to maturity more plants to the square foot 

 than could be carried on lighter soil with equal or greater rainfall 

 and, consequently, heavier seeding is advised than is practised in 

 the States immediately south with similar precipitation records. 



Horticulture. 



In 1908, a beginning was made in the planting of a perma- 

 nent orchard of apples and plums. The location selected for the 

 site of the orchard, though exposed to the north and north-west 

 winds, has the advantage of a westerly slope, a natural drainage 

 and a soil more of a sandy loam than a clay loam. The years 

 will provide protection through the growth of the shelter belt. 



About 600 apple and plum trees have been planted, covering 

 a range of some 125 varieties. Many of these are proving tender 



