154 Canudian Record of Science. 
the thoroughness with which the results obtained are dis- 
tributed throughout the farming community, These data 
also clearly show the keen interest which is taken in the 
work by the farmers throughout the country. In addition 
to their other duties, the various officers carry their work 
into different centres where special stimulus or information 
may be needed — where it will prove most useful — 
distributing through the medium of lectures the results 
obtained in the laboratory and the field. 
At the time of the Indian and Colonial Exhibition, the 
Director performed an important work in the capacity of 
Special Commissioner, in making a collection of fruits from 
all parts of the Dominion, which attracted wide attention. 
Among the earliest questions presented for solution was 
that of the grains best adapted to cultivation in Canada. 
The valuable results obtained with the Ladoga and Red 
Fyfe wheats, which secure to the Canadian farmers high 
grade spring grains of large yield and weight, and with the 
two-rowed barley, which has proved so superior for malting 
purposes over the ordinary six-rowed varieties, are in them- 
selves of such importance to the farming community as to 
justify the establishment of these farms. 
The work of the chemical department is almost wholly 
in the direction of fertilizer, soil and sample analyses, 
though a limited amount of time has been found for deter- 
minations of more pronounced value. Among these we 
note ‘‘ The composition of apple tree leaves, being the first 
of a series of analyses on the apple, with a view to ascertain 
a rational mode of fertilizing orchards ;’”’ a report on “The 
effect of solutions of copper and iron sulphates, alone and 
together, on the vitality of the wheat germ.” 
With the advent of a well-qualified head, the horticultural 
department has rapidly taken the prominent position which 
it should hold. It is gratifying to note that the extensive 
and valuable work undertaken by the late Charles Gibb, 
relative to the introduction of hardy fruits, is here being 
continued and extended. The free distribution of fruit 
trees is a very important feature of the work. During the 
