488 EXPERIMENTAL WORK IN CANADA. 
the symptoms pointing to indigestion; and the facts indicated, 
althoughin aninconclusive manner, that there was some risk 
in feeding, in large quantities, lucerne hay made from the 
plant in advanced stages of maturity. 
AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENTAL WORK IN CANADA. 
The following notes have been summarised from a paper 
read by Dr. William Saunders, Director of the Canadian 
Experiment Stations, before the British Association at Brad- 
ford in Septemher last, in which he gave a detailed account of 
the steps taken in the Dominion to further the experimental 
investigations of the conditions under which agriculture may 
be most profitably adapted to the soil and climate of that 
colony. In 1884 the Canadian House of Commons appointed 
a Select Committee to inquire into the best means of develop- 
ing and encouraging the agricultural interest of the country. 
Among the recommendations made was the establichment 
of Government experimental farms where trials might be 
conducted in connection with all branches of agriculture and 
horticulture; the results to be published from time to time 
and disseminated freely among the farmers of the Dominion. 
No action was taken until 1886, when an Act of Parliament 
was passed authorising the establishment of a Central 
Experimental Farm at Ottawa (to serve ths provinces of 
Ontario and Quebec), and four: branch farms, viz., one each 
for the Maritime Provinces, Manitoba, the North-West 
Territories, and British Columbia. 
The work, as set forth in the Act, included: (a) experiments 
to test the vaiue of different breeds of stock and their 
adaptability to the varying climatic conditions ; (4) scientific 
research relating to dairy produce; (c) the testing of varieties 
of cereals and other plants used in farming or gardening, 
and the dissemination among persons engaged in these 
occupations, upon conditions prescribed by the Ministry of 
_ Agriculture, of such surplus products as might be con- 
sidered worthy of introduction ; (@) analysis of fertilisers, and 
