1921-22 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS 203 



increase over 1921 of 50,289 lbs., which would be equivalent to a gain of over 

 500,000 lbs. in milk produced by the dairy farmers of the district over the pre- 

 ceding year. The number of patrons was increased from 236 in 1921 to 319 in 

 1922. This development was very gratifying indeed, and our increase in butter 

 and cream would have been somewhat greater but for the disastrous fire of 

 October 4th, which destroyed a number of cows as well as farm buildings and 

 feed. This year I think the farmers of this part of the district had the best 

 crops they have had in the history of the north country, both in hay and grain. 

 Although the latter part of the season up until the time of the fire was dry, yet 

 the grass was quite plentiful, and the second growth of clover was nearly as good 

 as the first. A great many of our patrons were burnt out and some even lost 

 their lives in the fire. This will no doubt affect our winter business, which 

 promised to be the greatest in the history of this institution. We had been 

 working toward this end for the last five years; encouraging and educating our 

 patrons to go in for winter dairying, and just when our hopes seemed to be 

 fully realized with abundant crops and a great number of fresh cows, on October 

 4th our prospects were shattered by the great calamity that befell our district. 



SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS. 

 From August 17th, 1917 to October 31st, 1922. 



Pounds of Cream received 1,483,599 



Pounds of Butter manufactured 484,156 



Value of Butter $222,848 . 18 



Paid to Patrons $195,076.31 



I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant, 



(Sgd.) A. MacLachlan, 



Manager. 



Section 2 (1) — Seed Grain. 



The shortage of the grain crop in Northern and Northwestern Ontario 

 during 1921 necessitated an increase in the quantity of seed grain distributed 

 in that area for spring seeding in 1922. Applications were received for upwards 

 of 32,000 bushels of oats and 1,700 bushels of wheat. Considerable difficulty 

 was experienced in obtaining seed oats of the necessary high quality, as the 

 crop shortage in Ontario during the previous season had the effect of reducing 

 the available quantity of seed grain to a minimum. This necessitated supplies 

 being purchased from the Western Provinces, which was a departure from the 

 usual practice of the Branch in supplying seed grain for distribution in Northern 

 Ontario. Wherever possible, local supplies were obtained in preference to 

 importation of Western grain. 



Sixteen distribution centres were established in co-operation with the 

 representatives of the Department of Agriculture or of this Branch. The seed 

 was supplied either for cash or upon promissory note secured by a lien placed 

 upon the land of the applicant. The results, in spite of the difficulties above 

 alluded to, have on the whole proved very satisfactory, although experience 

 has shown the advisability of sowing Ontario seed when it is available. 



In some districts, particularly Manitoulin Island and in the vicinity of 

 Sudbury, grasshoppers made their reappearance during the past season, and 

 seriously affected the crops. A large quantity of arsenic was provided by the 

 Branch and used in the affected areas under the superintendence and with the 

 co-operation of the Agricultural Representatives. In other districts, however, 

 the season proved to be an excellent one, and satisfactory crops were raised. 



The total expenditure incurred in the purchase and local costs of distribu- 

 tion of the seed amounted to $37,174.84. 



