854 Grain Growers' Associations in Canada, [jan., 



Increased Durability as a Result of Treatment. — The 

 results of the tests indicated that an average increased life of 

 at least three years may be expected from applications of pre- 

 servatives with a brush. The cost of applying two coats of 

 creosote to 6 ft. of pole (including cost of labour) is estimated 

 on the average at about iod., and it is computed, therefore, 

 that if the pole has an increased life of one to two years the 

 cost of treatment is amply repaid. 



The application of creosote by the tank method will, it is 

 stated, so preserve the butt end of the pole that the life of 

 the pole will be the life of the top, and no data as regards 

 the life of that part of the pole which is above ground are 

 possessed by the Forest Service, since replacements are com- 

 monly made because of the failure of the portion immediately 

 above and below the surface. It is estimated, however, that 

 the life of chestnut is increased by six years, white cedar by 

 eight years, red cedar by ten years, yellow pine by seventeen 

 years, and lodgepole pine by fifteen years. The total cost of 

 treatment with creosote by the tank method of 6 ft. of pole is 

 given as follows: — Chestnut, 3s. 3d.; white cedar, 45. qd.; 

 yellow pine, 6s. gd. ; red cedar, 5s. yd. ; lodgepole pine, 

 55. 2d. ; and the annual saving per pole, after deducting cost 

 of treatment, is computed as follows : — Chestnut, *]\d.; white 

 cedar, 6d.; red cedar, 15. 6d. ; yellow pine, gs.; lodgepole 

 pine, 45. id. It will be noticed that preservative treatment 

 pays better where the wood has very little natural durability 

 than where it has naturally a large durability; the use of 

 wood for poles, posts, gates, &c, which would otherwise be 

 unsuitable is thus rendered possible. 



An interesting and instructive account of the way in which 

 grain growers' interests are protected in Canada is given in 

 D the number for October, 191 1, of the 



Grain Growers' Bulletin of Economic and Social Intelli- 

 Associations in Canada, gence issued by the International 

 Institute of Agriculture. 

 Seed Branch. — The Seed Branch of the Federal Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture was formed in 1902 for the purpose of 

 promoting the use of good seed, and preventing, as far as 

 possible, the sale of impure seed to farmers. The work of 



