840 HEPORT— 1900. 



FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7. 



The following Papers were read : — 



1 . Results of Experimental Work in Agriculture in Canada under Govern- 

 ment Organisation. By William Saundeks, LL.D., Director of 

 Canadian Experimental Farms. 



For some years prior to 1884 agriculture in Canada was in a depressed condition, 

 and during that year a Select Committee was appointed by the House of Commons 

 to inquire into the best means of encouraging and developing the agricultural in- 

 dustries of Canada. 



From the investigations of this Committee it was shown that farming in 

 Canada was at that time in a very defective condition, that there was a lack of 

 thorough tillage, that no sufficient measures were taken to maintain the fertility 

 of the soil, that there was a want of knowledge in regard to rotation of crops, and 

 of the selection of improved varieties of seed ; that lack of information existed 

 also in reference to many of the principles underlying the successful rearing of 

 stock, the manufacture of dairy products, and the grosving of fruit. 



This Committee recommended that the Government establish an Experimental 

 Farm where experiments mig^ht be carried on in connection with all branches of 

 agriculture, horticulture, and arboriculture, and that the results of these experi- 

 ments be published from time to time and disseminated freely among the farmers 

 of the Dominion. 



In 1886 an Act was passed by the Parliament of Canada authorising the 

 Government to establish a Central Experimental Farm and four Branch Experi- 

 mental Farms in different parts of tlie Dominion, and during the two years 

 following these farms were established and set in operation. 



The results of twelve years' experience have shown that these institutions have 

 been highly beneficial to the farming community. Experimental research has 

 been carried on along the lines prescribed by the Act by which these farms were 

 established, and much information has been accumulated and distributed freely to 

 the farmers of Canada in reports and bulletins. Benefits have thus been con- 

 ferred on Canadian farmers in connection with all the more important farm crops, 

 in the development of the stock and dairy industries, in the production of fruits, 

 in the growing of trees for shelter and timber, and in the advancement of other 

 branches of arboriculture. 



Much attention has been given to experiments relating to the maintenance of 

 the fertility of the land, to the best methods of cultivating the soil, to a proper 

 rotation of crops, to the best time for sowing, and the selection of the best and 

 most productive varieties for seed. 



By freely spreading the information gained, supplemented by a liberal distri- 

 bution of samples of the best and most productive cereals, crops have been im- 

 proved, and the attention of farmers generally awakened to the importance of 

 adopting such measures as will result in increased crops. The steady advance- 

 ment which has taken place within recent years in Canada, and the increasing 

 prosperity of agricultural industries, may in large measure be attributed to the 

 useful work of these Experimental Farms established and maintained by the 

 Government in different parts of Canada. 



2. The Economic Possibilities of the Growth of Sugar Beet in England. By 

 A. D. HalLj M.A., Princiiyal o/ the South- Eastern Agricidtural Col- 

 lege, Wye. 



The sugar beet can be grown successfully in the south and east of England ; 

 the yield of sugar per acre is equal, if not superior, to the yield in other countries, 

 where the industry is conducted on a large scale. 



The economic question of the value of the industry is confused by bounties and 



