18 THE DIRECTOR, EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



By Mr. Clancy : 



Q. That is for the present season ? 



A. Yes. This distribution is going on at the present time at the rate of 400 to 500 

 samples a day, and we had sent out the number I have given you up to last night. In 

 addition to the three pound samples, wc are distributing a limited number of larger 

 samples. These larger samples were auth rized by the Minister of Agri- 

 culture three years ago, and at that time we prepared a list for these from tlie 

 names of farmers who had ?hown great interest in the work of seed testing, and select- 

 ing a few from each agricultural constituency with the view of spreading these larger 

 samples over the whole Dominion. Eight-pound samiiles of oats have been sent, and 

 ten-pound samples of barley and wheat in each case. One of the main objects in view 

 in this distribution was that the farmers might be able to give us the yield per acre 

 of each variety. With the tliree-pound samples this was scarcely practicable, but with 

 the larger samples, which are sufficient for one-tenth of an acre, there is no difficulty 

 in getting this valuable information. 



By Mr. EicJiardson : 



Q. How large were these samples ? 



A. Eight pounds of oats, ten pounds of barley and ten pounds of wheat. That is 

 a little more than sufficient to show one-teiith of an acre on the basis of the quantity 

 we usually recommend. 



By Mr. Clancy : 



Q. The smaller samples are three-pound samples ? 



A. The smaller samples contain three pounds each. These larger samples cannot 

 be sent to every one because we have not grain enough. Up to last night 1,642 of these 

 had been sent out, distributed by provinces, as follows : — 600 to Ontario, 401 to Quebec, 

 120 to Nova Scotia, 154 to New Brunswick, 52 to Prince Edward Island, 159 to Mani- 

 toba, 137 to the North-west Territories, and 19 to British Columbia. 



The work in connection with this distribution is very heavy and swells the corres- 

 pondence to a large volume. During the month of February the total number of let- 

 ters received by the Director was '! 7,154 ; the first half of February the letters aver- 

 aged 525 daily, and during the last half 905 per day. From the first of March until 

 to-day I have had an average of 1,108 letters per day. The largest number received 

 was on Monday, when 1,924 letters were received. That was the largest mail ever had 

 at the Central farm. A large proportion of these are requests for grain samples, some 

 are for reports, and a good many for general information. This shows that the far- 

 mers everywhere are taking a great interest in this work, and then further we get a 

 nlimber of letters from farmers subsequently showing how they have profited by the 

 distribution of these grain samples. Some farmers make money by selling grain raised 

 from these samples as seed to their neighbours, thus getting all the advantage they can 

 out of the transaction. 



By Mr. Boss (Vklorin) : 



Q. Do they give you a return of the results ? 



A. Yes, we get a large number of returns every year of the results of the testa 

 and the farmers also send back specimens of the grain grown from these samples. We 

 do not preserve them all, but we have hundreds of bags in store from all parts of the 

 country, so that samples can be furnished from almost any district desired. 



By Mr. Eohinson (Elgin) : 



Q. Do you remember the largest number of bushels to the acre of the oats you 

 sent out last year ? 



