REPORT OF MR. P. R. RITCHIE. 7
THE CENTRAL EXPERIMENTAL FARM OF CANADA.
Two miles from Ottawa is situated the Central Experimental
Farm of the Dominion, over which I was shown by Professor
Saunders, who is director of the Dominion experimental farms, five
in number, situated at various points in the country. Besides
Professor Saunders there are also resident on the farm, which is
500 acres in extent, an agriculturist, a dairy commissioner, an
entomologist and botanist, a chemist, a horticulturist and a poultry
manager, each specialist devoting his time and attention to experi-
ments in his branch, which in every kind of grain and farm produce
are always being made. The results of these experiments are
published periodically, and sent to farmers throughout the Do-
minion. Also any farmer who wishes to have his grain tested in
regard to its germinating powers, can have it analysed here free
of charge. Again, several thousand 3-lb sample bags of grain
are annually sent to farmers throughout the country, each farmer
being requested to make reports as to the results. Special atten-
tion is given to dairying in all its branches and on the farm are
kept a number of pure thorough-bred cattle of the principal
breeds.
.WINNIPEG AND VICINITY.
Leaving Ottawa on the moming of the 8th April I arrived in
Winnipeg after a two days' journey, and was met by Mr. Ronaldson,
a relative of mine, who drove me out to his place at Royal, which
is situated on the banks of the Red River, 15 miles south of Winni-
peg. Six miles from the city we passed the village of St. Norbert
which is principally a French settlement, and where there is a
Trappist Monastery. On the road to Royal there are numerous
settlers along the banks of the Red River, chiefly French and Half-
breeds; this was one of the earliest settlements in tle country,
but the land is too much wooded for extensive cultivation; other
parts of it are lowly situated and wet, though here and there I
found patches of fromn 5 to I5 acres under cultivation. At Royal
the prairie proper commences. Farms here are on what are termed
" river lots," only a few chains wide, and extending back frnm the
river 2 or 3 miles; in early years the land was badly farmed, and
allowed to get very dirty. Old settlers say that " French weed"