i9o6.] Agricultural Education in Canada. 



29 



are used, salt should be given at the rate of 2 or 3 cwt. per 

 acre. 



In some parts of the country it is the custom to top-dress the 

 mangold crop when about a month old with i to 2 c^vt. per acre 

 of nitrate of soda, and, on the whole, the practice may be re- 

 commended. Where this course is followed some reduction 

 may take place in the amount put on at the time of sowing the 

 seed. 



AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION IX CANADA 

 The Board have received from the Colonial OfTice a copy of 

 the following despatch, dated 23rd December, 1905, from Earl 

 Grey, Governor-General of Canada, dealing with certain aspects 

 of agricultural education in Canada : — 



Sir, — I hare the honour to report that I paid a visit last week 

 to the city of Guelph, famous among agriculturists as the 

 " Smithfield of Canada," because of the excellence of its annual 

 fat stock show, and also owing to the fact that seven live stock 

 associations hold in that city their annual meeting at the time 

 of the fat stock show ; and as the " Mecca of Ontario men and 

 women " because of the practical training and preparation for 

 the business of life given by the Ontario Agricultural College 

 and by the Macdonald Listitute. These are situated close to 

 each other on high and picturesque ground just outside the city. 



The annual meetings of the Ontario Experimental Union of 

 the Ontario Agricultural College, and of the Women's Insti- 

 tuteS; numbering fift>^-eight, with a membership of over 5,003, 

 are also held at Guelph during the week of the fat stock show. 



I was most favourably impressed by the management of the 

 provincial fat stock show. All the arrangements were designed 

 for the purpose of focussing the attention of exhibitors and 

 visiting farmers on the requirements of the consumer, and of 

 teaching them v,'hat steps they should take in order to suppl\- 

 those requirements. 



T-.v 0 practices which were novel to me. but the value of which 

 must be admitted by ever}'one when seen, are worthy of notice. 



I. After the examination and selection of the stock exhibited, 

 the judges are required to give their reasons for such selection. 

 The}' explain to the large and interested body of assembled 

 farmers, the points of excellence and superiority in the 



