CONTENTdm
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955
Sessional Papers of the Province of British Columbia
British Columbia. Legislative Assembly
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PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA Department of Agriculture FIFTIETH ANNUAL REPORT 1955 VICTORIA, B.C. Printed by Don McDiarmid, Printer to the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty 1956 To His Honour Frank Mackenzie Ross, C.M.G., M.C., Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of British Columbia. May it please Your Honour: I have the honour to submit for your consideration the Annual Report of the Department of Agriculture for the year 1955. W. K. KIERNAN, Minister of Agriculture. Department of Agriculture, Victoria, B.C., March 2nd, 1956. BRITISH COLUMBIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENTAL STAFF, 1955 Minister of Agriculture: Honourable W. K. Kiernan. Minister's Secretary: Miss P. Hetherington. Deputy Minister: Wm. MacGillivray. Administrative: N. L. Camsusa, Administrative Assistant, Victoria, B.C. J. S. Wells, Accountant, Victoria, B.C. T. T. Vaulkhard, Clerk, Accounts Branch, Victoria, B.C. J. A. McDiarmid, Clerk, Publications Branch, Victoria, B.C. Markets and Statistics: *M. M. Gilchrist, B.S.A., Markets Commissioner, Victoria, B.C. G. H. Stewart, Statistician, Victoria, B.C. J. B. Moen, B.A., Economist, Victoria, B.C. Horticulture: *R. P. Murray, B.S.A., Provincial Horticulturist, Victoria, B.C. *G. E. W. Clarke, B.S.A., Supervising Horticulturist, Abbotsford, B.C. *J. A. Smith, B.S.A., Supervising Horticulturist, Kelowna, B.C. *D. A. Allan, B.S.A., District Horticulturist, Oliver, B.C. W. T. Baverstock, District Horticulturist, Vernon, B.C. *I. C. Carne, B.S.A., District Horticulturist, Abbotsford, B.C. *A. E. Littler, B.S.A., District Horticulturist, Victoria, B.C. *W. F. Morton, B.S.A., District Horticulturist, Kelowna, BC. *L E. Swales, B.S.A., District Horticulturist, Creston, B.C. *G. R. Thorpe, B.S.A., District Horticulturist, New Westminster, B.C. *M. P. D. Trumpour, B.S.A., District Horticulturist, Penticton, B.C. *A. W. Watt, B.S.A., District Horticulturist, West Summerland, B.C. *R. M. Wilson, B.S.A., District Horticulturist, Salmon Arm, B.C. *A. C. Carter, B.S.A., Assistant District Horticulturist, Penticton, B.C. *M. G. Oswell, B.S.A., Assistant District Horticulturist, Vernon, B.C. *J. L. Webster, B.S.A., Horticulturist (Seed Production), 635 Burrard Street, Vancouver 1, B.C. *W. D. Christie, B.S.A., Horticulturist (Greenhouse and Nursery Crops), Abbotsford, B.C. *E. M. King, B.S.A., M.S.A, Horticulturist (Vegetables), Kelowna, BC. Apiary: J. Corner, Provincial Apiarist, Court-house, Vernon, B.C. V. E. Thorgeirson, Apiary Inspector, R.R. 6, New Westminster, B.C. Plant Pathology: *W. R. Foster, M.Sc, Plant Pathologist, Victoria, B.C. Entomology: C. L. Neilson, B.S.A., Provincial Entomologist, Vernon, B.C. Live Stock: *W. R. Gunn, B.S.A., B.V.Sc, V.S., Live Stock Commissioner and Chief Veterinary Inspector. A. Kidd, D.V.M., D.V.P.H., Assistant to the Live Stock Commissioner and Chief Veterinary Inspector, Victoria, B.C. *F. C. Clark, M.S.A., Live Stock Inspector, New Westminster, B.C. T. Moore, Recorder of Animal Brands, Victoria, B.C. T. I. Batten, Brand Inspector, Nicola, B.C. A. J. Duck, Brand Inspector, Kamloops, B.C. A. P. Newhouse, Brand Inspector, Williams Lake, B.C. * Member of the British Columbia Institute of Agrologists. 5 HH 6 BRITISH COLUMBIA Live Stock—Continued P. G. Lawrence, Beef Grading Inspector, Vancouver, B.C. S. Munro, Deputy Brand Inspector, Clinton, B.C. J. J. Carney, D.V.M., V.S., Veterinary Inspector, Nelson, B.C. G. M. Clark, B.V.Sc, V.S., Veterinary Inspector, Kamloops, B.C. I. D. C. Clark, D.V.M., Veterinary Inspector, Penticton, B.C. R. L. Lancaster, V.S., D.V.M., Veterinary Inspector, Nelson, B.C. W. R. LeGrow, D.V.M., V.S., M.S., Ph.D., Veterinary Inspector, Victoria, B.C. C. F. Morris, D.V.M., V.S., Veterinary Inspector, New Westminster, B.C. J. Mustard, D.V.M., V.S., Veterinary Inspector, New Westminster, B.C. K. H. Thompson, D.V.M., Veterinary Inspector, Prince George, B.C. J. A. Mace, Superintendent, Dairy Herd Improvement Associations, Victoria, B.C. H. Johnson, Inspector, Dairy Herd Improvement Associations, Victoria, B.C. R. J. Weir, Clerk, Live Stock Branch, Victoria, B.C. Dairy: *F. C. Wasson, M.S.A., Dairy Commissioner, Victoria, B.C. *N. H. Ingledew, B.S.A., M.S.A., Dairy Inspector, Nelson, B.C. *G. D. Johnson, Dairy Inspector, Kelowna, B.C. *G. Patchett, Dairy Inspector, Victoria, B.C. C. Rive, B.S.A., Dairy Inspector, Vancouver, B.C. *K. G. Savage, M.S.A., Dairy Inspector, Vancouver, B.C. *D. D. Wilson, B.S.A., Dairy Inspector, Victoria, B.C. Poultry: *W. H. Pope, Poultry Commissioner, Victoria, B.C. H. C. Gasperdone, B.S.A., Poultry Inspector, New Westminster, B.C. N. J. Supeene, B.S.A., Poultry Inspector, Abbotsford, B.C. C. W. Wood, B.S.A., Poultry Inspector, Kelowna, B.C. Field Crops: *N. F. Putnam, M.Sc, Field Crops Commissioner, Victoria, B.C. *C. H. Nelson, B.S.A., Assistant Field Crops Commissioner, Victoria, B.C. *E. C. Hughes, B.S.A., Assistant in Field Crops, New Westminster, B.C. *J. H. Neufeld, B.S.A., Soil Analyst, Victoria, B.C. Farmers' Institutes: L. W. Johnson, Superintendent of Farmers' Institutes, Victoria, B.C. Women's Institutes: Mrs. Stella E. Gummow, Superintendent of Women's Institutes, Victoria, B.C. Soil Survey: *C. C. Kelley, B.S.A., Soil Surveyor, Kelowna, B.C. *C. C. Brownlee, B.S.A., Assistant Soil Surveyor, Kelowna, B.C. A. B. Dawson, B.S.A., Assistant Soil Surveyor, Kelowna, B.C. *W. D. Holland, B.Sc, Assistant Soil Surveyor, Kelowna, B.C. *P. N. Sprout, B.S.A., Assistant Soil Surveyor, Kelowna, B.C. *A. L. Van Ryswyk, B.S.A., Assistant Soil Surveyor, Kelowna, B.C. Agricultural Development and Extension: *G. L. Landon, B.S.A., Director, Victoria, B.C. *J. S. Allin, B.S.A., Supervising Agriculturist, Victoria, B.C. *G. A. Luyat, B.S.A., Supervising Agriculturist, Kamloops, B.C. *S. G. Preston, M.S.A., Supervising Agriculturist, Prince George, B.C. *A. J. Allan, B.S.A., District Agriculturist, Nelson, B.C. *J. W. Awmack, B.S.A., District Agriculturist, Cranbrook, B.C. *R. C. Bailey, B.S.A., District Agriculturist, Vernon, B.C. *R. L. Bradshaw, B.S.A., Assistant District Agriculturist, Cloverdale, B.C. *R. W. Brown, B.Sc, District Agriculturist, Fort St. John, B.C. *G. L. Calver, B.A.Sc, Extension Agricultural Engineer, Victoria, B.C. *J. F. Carmichael, M.Sc, District Agriculturist, Grand Forks, B.C. *D. C. Crossfield, B.S.A., Assistant District Agriculturist, Duncan, B.C. : Member of the British Columbia Institute of Agrologists. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 7 Agricultural Development and Extension—Continued *G. Cruikshank, B.S.A., District Agriculturist, Chilliwack, B.C. *P. E. Ewart, B.S.A., District Agriculturist, Mission, B.C. *R. C. Fry, B.S.A., Assistant District Agriculturist, Kamloops, B.C. *J. D. Hazlette, B.S.A., District Agriculturist, Duncan, B.C. *K. R. Jameson, B.S.A., District Agriculturist, Smithers, B.C. *A. M. Johnson, B.Sc, District Agriculturist, Dawson Creek, B.C. *Miss E. L. R. Lidster, B.S.A., Supervisor, 4-H Clubs, Victoria, B.C. K. E. May, B.S.A., Assistant Extension Agricultural Engineer, Victoria, B.C. *G. A. Muirhead, B.S.A., District Agriculturist, Cloverdale, B.C. *J. A. Pelter, B.S.A., District Agriculturist, Vanderhoof, B.C. *S. B. Peterson, B.S.A., District Agriculturist, Courtenay, B.C. *J. C. Ryder, B.S.A., District Agriculturist, Salmon Arm, B.C. *A. R. Tarves, B.S.A., District Agriculturist, Quesnel, B.C. *M. J. Walsh, B.S.A., District Agriculturist, Williams Lake, B.C. *R. L. Wilkinson, B.S.A., District Agriculturist, Kamloops, B.C. *J. V. Zacharias, B.S.A., District Agriculturist, Prince George, B.C. H. Barber, Accountant, Federal-Provincial Farm Labour Service, 411 Dunsmuir Street, Vancouver 3, B.C. W. G. Reed, Mechanical Superintendent, Land-clearing Division, 411 Dunsmuir Street, Vancouver 3, B.C. * Member of the British Columbia Institute of Agrologists. TABLE OF CONTENTS Report of Deputy Minister Report of Markets and Statistics Branch. Report of Horticultural Branch Report of Plant Pathology Branch Report of Provincial Entomologist Report of Apiary Branch Report of Live Stock Branch Report of Dairy Branch Report of Poultry Branch Report of Field Crops Branch Report of Farmers' Institutes Report of Women's Institutes Report of Soil Survey Branch Report of Agricultural Development and Extension Branch Appendices—■ No. 1. Plants Manufacturing, Processing, and Distributing Dairy Products during 1955 Page 11 15 21 42 45 48 51 68 72 82 89 93 97 102 124 No. 2. Inspected Slaughterings of Live Stock, December 1st, 1954, to December 31st, 1955 126 No. 3. Beef Carcasses Graded in British Columbia, December 1st, 1954, to December 31st, 1955 127 No. 4. Average Prices for Cattle, December 1st, 1954, to December 31st, 1955 128 No. 5. Average Prices for Hogs, December 1st, 1954, to December 31st, 1955 128 No. 6. Average Prices for Lambs, December 1st, 1954, to December 31st, 1955 129 No. 7. Cattle Sales— Provincial Bull Sale and Fat Stock Show Southern Interior Stockmen's Association Cattle Sales (Two)_ 130 130 Eighteenth Annual Cariboo Feeder and Fat Cattle Show and Sale 130 Williams Lake Fall Sale 131 Twelfth Annual Quesnel Cattle Sale 131 Christmas Fat Stock Show and Sale 131 No. 8. List of Licensees (Recorder of Brands) 132 No. 9. Cattle and Hide Shipments, 1955 137 No. 10. Yearly Statement of Slaughter, November 30th, 1954, to December 31st, 1955 137 HH 10 BRITISH COLUMBIA Appendices—Continued page No. 11. Shipments of Butcher Cattle to Vancouver Island Disease-control Area 138 No. 12. Summary of Blood-testing and Mastitis Examinations by Veterinary Inspectors 138 No. 13. No. 14. No. 15. No. 16. No. 17. No. 18. No. 19. No. 20. No. 21. Calf hood Vaccinations in Disease-free Areas. 139 Dairy Herds and Premises Inspected and Graded under the " Milk Act" from January 1st, 1953, to December 31st, 1955 140 List of Provincial Dairy Herd Improvement Associations 141 Breed Averages for 1954 141 Dairy-cattle Placement Programme (Three Tables) 142 Poultry-flock Approval by Month 143 Turkey-flock Approval by Month 143 Vaccine Distribution by Month 143 Summary of Grain Screenings from British Columbia Merchants, January 1st to December 31st, 1955 144 No. 22. Summary of Movement of Screenings from British Columbia Elevators, January 1st to December 31st, 1955 145 Report of the Department of Agriculture REPORT OF DEPUTY MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE The Honourable W. K. Kiernan, Minister of Agriculture, Victoria, B.C. Sir,—I have the honour to present herewith the Fiftieth Annual Report of the Department of Agriculture for the year ended December 31st, 1955. The Report contains a review of the work of each of the branches of the Department during the past year. These, while of necessity brief and fairly general in nature, outline adequately the broad field of Departmental activities. There are on file reports from branch and division heads, and from each member of the field staff, which contain pertinent material outlining in detail operations involved in carrying out responsibilities to each phase of agriculture. These individual reports are invaluable in that they enable the Department to maintain a continuous record of the contribution made to the development of agriculture over the years. Weather conditions in 1955 were not favourable to maximum production of quality agricultural commodities, and are dealt with in greater detail throughout the branch reports contained herein. While it is evident the losses experienced in horticultural crops, particularly strawberries and nursery stocks, are extremely serious, a full appraisal of the over-all losses will not be possible for several months. The advent of severe weather in early November required stockmen throughout the Province to commence feeding on a winter scale at least two months earlier than usual. Snowfall at Interior points is heavier than normal. Consequently, if conditions during the next few months are not favourable, a shortage of hay and other roughage could materialize. The reports from various branches in your Department deal with production and marketing for the past year in every phase of agriculture. Conditions in some of these were highly unsatisfactory, resulting in much lower returns to producers; for example, strawberry and raspberry growers in the Lower Mainland and potato and vegetable growers generally. In the over-all picture, British Columbia farm cash income from the sale of agricultural commodities in 1955 is estimated at $108,997,000, an increase of 3.4 per cent from 1954 and the second highest ever recorded in the Province. In contrast the estimated farm cash income for Canada showed a reduction of 2.3 per cent. I regret to report that the increased cash farm income is not reflected in the net cash earnings of agricultural producers. Higher costs of goods and services necessary to farm operation, coupled with drastically lower returns for some commodities, have resulted, unfortunately, in reduced net income. The large volume of United States fruit and vegetables and potatoes offered on our markets at prices frequently below our costs of production contributed substantially to this condition. The situation can be corrected materially only when an equitable tariff structure prevails. The tremendous industrial activity now evident throughout the Province has had strong influences on agriculture. The highest level of employment on record, increased payrolls, and greater purchasing power have all contributed to heavy consumer demand for most of the commodities grown in British Columbia. Farmers and ranchers have, however, found it extremely difficult to obtain sufficient labour. The wages offered by 11 HH 12 BRITISH COLUMBIA industry cannot be met in agriculture at present relative economic levels. Insufficient man-power adds further to costs of production. It is increasingly evident that individual farmers and farm groups recognize more fully the value of the services available from your Department. Reports of Extension workers and specialists particularly reflect greater requests for consultation and practical assistance in developing farm enterprises on a sound basis. Farmers generally realize that if their operations are to have any hope of success, they must be based on a thorough knowledge of all of the factors affecting production and marketing in the area concerned. No one is better equipped to provide guidance and information than the District Agriculturist and the District Horticulturist. A significantly larger number of farmers are apparently becoming aware that every phase of the entire farm operation must be evaluated as a unit and as part of the whole to determine whether it is an asset or a liability. Developments such as these are bringing increased responsibilities to your staff. I am pleased to report these are being met. It is evident that present conditions in agriculture on this continent and on a world scale present a challenge to departments of agriculture which may require a reappraisal of outlooks and policies. The importance of agriculture to the Provincial and to the National economy may be overlooked when industrial development is at its present level. Under these conditions, departments such as ours have increased responsibilities, the adequate discharge of which will be reflected beyond the confines of the industry itself. The integration of effort between the staffs of the Canada Department of Agriculture, the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of British Columbia, and of this Department was never at a higher level. We feel, in assuring that the technical knowledge and the practical experience of the trained personnel of the various agencies mentioned and of others have been co-ordinated to the fullest possible extent in the best interests of agriculture generally, we are following a most sensible plan which cannot be other than helpful to the industry. There is no better way in which to make Governmental policies effective instruments. CONFERENCE OF PROVINCIAL MINISTERS AND DEPUTY MINISTERS The sixth annual conference of Provincial Ministers of Agriculture and their Deputy Ministers was held in the Province of New Brunswick at the invitation of the Honourable C. B. Sherwood, Minister of Agriculture for New Brunswick. The dates of the meetings were August 8th and 9th, 1955. Those in attendance were the Honourable W. K. Kiernan, Minister of Agriculture, British Columbia; the Honourable L. C. Halmrast, Minister of Agriculture, Alberta; R. M. Putnam, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Alberta; the Honourable I. C. Nollet, Minister of Agriculture, Saskatchewan; W. H. Horner, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Saskatchewan; J. R. Bell, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Manitoba; the Honourable Fletcher Thomas, Minister of Agriculture, Ontario; C. D. Graham, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Ontario; the Honourable Laurent Barre, Minister of Agriculture, Quebec; Dr. Rene Trepanier, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Quebec; Donat Noiseaux, Quebec; the Honourable C. B. Sherwood, Minister of Agriculture, New Brunswick; E. M. Taylor, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, New Brunswick; the Honourable Colin M. Chisholm, Minister of Agriculture, Nova Scotia; Dr. F. W. Walsh, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Nova Scotia; the Honourable Eugene Cullen, Minister of Agriculture, Prince Edward Island; Stewart Wright, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Prince Edward Island; and A. C. Badcock, Director of Agriculture, Newfoundland. The Honourable R. D. Robertson, Minister of Agriculture for Manitoba, was not able to attend. The meeting was held at Fredericton, N.B., where the Government of that Province proved an admirable host. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 13 As in previous years, many matters of mutual concern to the Ministers and Deputy Ministers were discussed thoroughly. The value of the conference was evident to all who participated. Detailed minutes are on file. LEGISLATION New legislation dealing with agriculture as passed at the Third Session of the Twenty-fourth Parliament of British Columbia consisted of an Act to amend the "Trespass Act" and an Act to amend the "Noxious Weeds Act." STAFF CHANGES The following appointments and resignations were effective during the year:— Appointments Miss G. M. Ginn, Stenographer, January 1st. Mrs. M. E. Case, Clerk, January 19th. Mrs. L. R. Hogan, Stenographer, February 23rd. Miss S. M. Knight, Stenographer, March 3rd. Mrs. J. Keiler, Stenographer, March 8th. Mrs. S. M. Collis, Stenographer, March 15th. Mrs. H. Wardle, Stenographer, March 25th. Miss P. V. Taylor, Stenographer, April 1st. Miss M. R. Smith, Stenographer, April 1st. C. E. Parker, Clerk, April 26th. Mrs. M. M. Gowan, Stenographer, April 28th. Miss F. Lebitschnig, Stenographer, May 1st. Miss J. M. Hawn, Stenographer, May 1st. J. B. Moen, Economist, May 16th. C. Rive, Dairy Inspector, June 10th. Miss M. V. Thompson, Stenographer, June 21st. Miss J. L. Brain, Stenographer, July 1st. Mrs. S. Seronik, Stenographer, July 1st. Miss R. C. Stewart, Stenographer, July 11th. Mrs. S. Jackson, Stenographer, July 28th. Miss T. Gabriel, Stenographer, July 29th. Miss P. M. Jackson, Stenographer, August 1st. Miss B. Walton, Stenographer, August 5th. Mrs. M. L. Campbell, Stenographer, September 1st. Mrs. S. David, Stenographer, September 6th. R. R. Owen, Milk Board Inspector, September 8th. Mrs. A. M. Lakes, Stenographer, September 20th. Miss I. S. Wilkinson, Stenographer, September 26th. A. B. Dawson, Soil Surveyor, November 1st. Transfers Mrs. L. W. Howe, Stenographer, February 18th. Miss I. M. Chisholm, Stenographer, March 11th. Mrs. M. M. Gowan, Stenographer, July 1st. Mrs. M. T. McAloney, Stenographer, September 19th. Miss A. E. Hill, Stenographer, November 1st. Miss J. M. Wilkinson, Stenographer, November 14th. Miss P. V. Taylor, Stenographer, December 1st. HH 14 BRITISH COLUMBIA Resignations Miss M. V. Neale, Stenographer, January 21st. D. Thompson, Dairy Inspector, January 31st. Miss S. B. Neglowich, Stenographer, February 7th. Miss V. L. Matte, Stenographer, March 15th. Miss M. T. Hay, Stenographer, March 18th. Mrs. J. Keiler, Stenographer, March 25th. Mrs. G. Perreten, Stenographer, March 31st. A. G. Green, Soil Surveyor, March 31st. Mrs. M. J. McAlpine, Stenographer, April 25th. G. Beatty, Clerk, May 4th. Mrs. M. F. Ritson, Stenographer, May 11th. Mrs. S. M. Collis, Stenographer, May 13th. G. Garry, Soil Surveyor, May 17th. Mrs. L. V. Peters, Stenographer, May 31st. Miss I. Sparks, Stenographer, June 30th. Mrs. J. Unrau (nee Hawn), Stenographer, July 15th. A. E. Webb, Milk Board Inspector, July 19th. Miss D. M. Woolfrey, Stenographer, July 27th. Mrs. H. E. Champoux, Stenographer, July 31st. Mrs. A. J. Kaines, Stenographer, July 31st. Mrs. M. L. Harvey, Stenographer, July 31st. Mrs. R. M. Dyke, Stenographer, August 15th. Dr. E. W. Gilchrist, Veterinary Inspector, August 16th. I. C. McSwan, Assistant Plant Pathologist, August 24th. Mrs. J. T. Tully, Stenographer, August 31st. Miss R. C. Stewart, Stenographer, August 31st. Mrs. C. Lauret, Stenographer, September 2nd. Mrs. S. Jackson, Stenographer, October 14th. Miss I. S. Wilkinson, Stenographer, November 10th. Miss P. M. Jackson, Stenographer, December 9th. Mrs. M. J. Tower, Stenographer, December 19th. Superannuation Miss E. L. Clarke, Stenographer, November 1st. PUBLICATIONS The following is a list of new and revised publications printed in 1954:— Agricultural Statistics. Climate of British Columbia. Bulletins and Circulars Exhibition Standards of Perfection C. 50 U.B.C. Feed Formulas for Poultry P.C. 37 Strawberry Root Weevil- - - - E.C. 14 Poultry leaflets— Dry Litter—Nest Clean Eggs. Egg Shell Quality. Poultry Brooding. Range Reared Pullets. Charts Vegetable and Field Crops Spray Calendar. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 15 CONCLUSION Miss E. L. Clarke, who retired on superannuation this year, had discharged very capably her responsibilities as secretary to succeeding Provincial Horticulturists for thirty- six years. She has the best wishes of all her colleagues in the Service. I wish to express my sincere thanks to the staff members who have loyally and efficiently served the Department and the people of British Columbia during the year. It is a pleasure to indicate my grateful appreciation of the unfailing co-operation and assistance we have received in the past year from officials of the Canada Department of Agriculture, from those of other departments of the Provincial Government, and from the Dean and staff of the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of British Columbia. Throughout the year it has been necessary to work closely with farm organizations, with groups of farmers and others, and with various individuals within and without the Province. Again I wish to express to all of them my sincere thanks for assistance to the Department in many forms. W. MacGILLIVRAY, Deputy Minister of Agriculture. REPORT OF MARKETS AND STATISTICS BRANCH M. M. Gilchrist, B.S.A., Markets Commissioner SYNOPSIS A remarkably steady market tone was an important feature of British Columbia's farm economy in 1955. While there were marked fluctuations, some seasonal, in a number of commodity groups, the over-all picture presented was one of basic stability. The farm prices index reflected this stability, showing a slight increase over the preceding year's average of 251.4 (1935-39=100). Preliminary estimates place the total farm cash income at close to $109,000,000 for the year, a gain of more than 3 per cent over the 1954 total. This figure is the second highest ever recorded in British Columbia agriculture, being exceeded only by the record high of $109,600,000 established in 1951. In the five-year period 1951 to 1955, inclusive, farm cash income in British Columbia has kept within a comparatively narrow range, varying only slightly from an average of $106,000,000 annually. This serves to point up the comparative stability of the agricultural industry in this Province. Providing a firm basis for this year's cash income structure was a continuing good demand for dairy products, coupled with a firm egg market during the latter months. In other lines some declines were felt through the generally unfavourable weather conditions which prevailed throughout much of the year. These were offset by gains in other lines, largely the result of increased production. Severe freezing conditions throughout the entire Province in early November caused heavy damage to small-fruit plantings, nursery stock, and a quantity of late vegetables. Actual losses will not be fully evident until next year, but already they are known to be considerable. FEED-GRAIN MOVEMENTS Declines in both cattle and poultry numbers in 1955, coupled with improved pasture conditions, were reflected in sharply reduced importations of feed-grains into the Province under provisions of the Federal Freight Assistance Policy. Total shipments amounted to 167,694 tons, a decline of 30 per cent from the 1954 total. HH 16 BRITISH COLUMBIA From the time of its inception as a war-time measure in 1941, the Federal Treasury paid the entire freight charges on grains moving to British Columbia points from Calgary or Edmonton. By the end of 1954, Treasury payments had reached a grand total of more than $23,000,000 on shipments totalling 3,250,000 tons of feed-grains. This represented a subsidy of over $2,000,000 annually in recent years to British Columbia live-stock and poultry feeders. In an unexpected move early in January, this subsidy was reduced by $5 per ton on all shipments, effective February 1st. This means that the assistance on shipments to Vancouver, for example, was reduced from $10.80 to $5.80 per ton. FEEDS Prices for all grain feedstuffs increased in February as a result of the reduction in freight assistance. By mid-year, however, prices for the basic feed-grains had softened somewhat. At the year's end, wheat and barley were back to January levels, while oats was $5 to $7 per ton lower. On the other hand, feed screenings increased in price during the year, and for the final six months were priced at $6 per ton above January quotations. Prepared feeds remained largely unchanged following the general February price rise, although dairy feeds rose slightly during the spring and summer months. Hay prices were for the most part steady throughout the year. Prices in the cattle- raising areas were firm early in the year under conditions of short supply, but eased as range grazing became available. The unseasonably cold weather in mid-November again produced a sharp increase in demand, with a return to firmer price levels. Production was up from the previous year by approximately 50,000 tons. FRUIT For the second successive year the tree-fruits industry of the Province's commercial production areas was affected by unseasonable weather. This year the principal factor was lateness of maturity rather than actual tree or fruit damage. Peaches, normally considered a "warm weather" crop, provide a typical example of the late harvests this year. Close to 50 per cent of the 1955 crop was shipped after September 10th, a full two weeks later than normal for this crop. Returns to growers of tree-fruit crops were influenced to a much greater degree than usual by outside competition this year. This was particularly evident in the movement of the apple, peach, and apricot crops. Apple sales in Eastern Canada were materially reduced by the severe competition offered by heavy supplies of both local and United States origin, which drove prices to ruinous levels in that market. Sales on the Prairies were also down from last year, due to heavier than usual imports from other sources and to reduced consumer purchasing power. The same conditions applied to the peach movement on that market. Apple sales were down only slightly when all markets were covered, however. A continued good demand in thirty of the United States and in the United Kingdom helped to offset declines on the Canadian market. The 1955 apricot deal was hampered at the outset by a breakdown in the price structure on Washington apricots. The market firmed later at more realistic prices. In other tree-fruits a promising cherry-crop was reduced sharply by hail and rain damage, though quality of the bulk shipped to the fresh market was excellent. Pears and prunes were both up in volume and movements were satisfactory. The trade continues to DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 17 display little interest in pears other than Bartlett and Anjou varieties. Prunes showed a generally superior quality, as did the plum-crop. Nearly all of the latter was packed this year in the 6-quart basket for the first time. Over-all prices were below average, largely because of later than usual market arrivals. Rain and cool temperatures during harvesting materially reduced what had been a promising strawberry-crop to a very disappointing one, about 40 per cent of pre-season estimates. To a lesser extent, the raspberry-crop also suffered from the same cause. The resulting short supplies, particularly of the former, produced a firm market tone throughout. Prices for jam strawberries ranged around 20 cents per pound. For the second successive year, canners and processors were obliged to import strawberries to fill market commitments. A total of nearly 400 tons was shipped in from foreign sources. Table 1.—A Comparative Table of Actual Fruit Production for 1954, with Estimated Production for 1955 Kind Unit Actual Production, 1954 Estimated Production, 1955 Boxes Boxes Boxes Crates Crates Crates Crates Crates Crates Crates Crates Crates Crates Crates Crates Lb. Lb. 6,522,000 129,800 663,200 99,400 600,100 678,300 294,500 226,000 767,400 769,300 58,700 34,400 3,600 5,300 4,050 1,774,000 1,036,000 7,137,000 106,400 711,000 Crab-apples - 96,900 661,100 1,471,100 543,900 356,100 Strawberries 546,300 688,800 85,000 46,700 3,500 6,100 4,100 1,690,000 900,000 Gooseberries FIELD CROPS AND VEGETABLES Heavy imports of United States potatoes at unusually low levels cut heavily into sales of both early and late British Columbia production this year. Earlies dropped to $30 per ton at Vancouver, a record low for the post-war period. A depressed market continued through most of the late-potato deal, but by December No. 1 Netted Gems had risen to over $50 per ton. Imports from near-by United States growing areas continue to exert a pronounced effect upon sales of British Columbia potatoes, and give every indication of increasing in volume as this Province continues to expand in population. Accessibility of the Vancouver market to major United States sources plus improved trucking facilities provide sharp competitive conditions to be met by the British Columbia grower. Once again the Interior field-tomato crop was reduced by unfavourable weather conditions. A promising crop in the North Okanagan was severely damaged by frost, which hit the area at the commencement of the harvest in mid-September. While prices were relatively firm, growers suffered sharply reduced returns as a result. Vegetables generally held to firmer price levels than those realized in 1954. The canning-pea crop in the Lower Fraser Valley brought contract prices equivalent to those set in the preceding year. Quality was generally good, but net yields were down somewhat because of uneven maturity in many plantings. HH 18 BRITISH COLUMBIA Table 2.—November Estimate of the 1955 Production of Principal Field Crops in British Columbia, Compared with Latest Estimates for 1954 Crop Area 1954 1955 Yield per Acre 1954 1955 Production 1954 1955 Spring Wheat- Oats for grain- Barley — Fall rye- Flax-seed Mixed grains- Potatoes_ Tame hay Fodder-corn.. Acres 70,000 84,400 75,400 5,000 10,000 2,900 10,200 304,000 2,400 Acres 66,000 83,000 77,000 3,200 13,000 3,200 9,400 325,000 2,000 Bu. 25.0 47.0 31.0 20.0 10.0 43.0 282.0 2.4 14.0 Bu. 19.0 44.0 24.0 20.0 8.0 42.0 275.0 2.4 14.7 Bu. 1,750,000 3,967,000 2,337,000 100,000 100,000 125,000 2,876,000 730,000 33,600 Bu. 1,254,000 3,652,000 1,848,000 64,000 104,000 134,000 2,585,000 780,000 29,400 Table 3.—Actual Production and Values of Principal Vegetable-crops in British Columbia for 1954, with Estimated Production and Values for 1955 Kind Year Planted Area Average Yield per Acre Total Production Average Price per Pound Total Value Asparagus Beans (greens- Beets Cabbage- Carrots.— Cauliflower- Celery Corn Cucumbers (field )- Cucumbers (hothouse).. Lettuce Mushrooms- Onions Parsnips Peas (green).. Spinach Squash, pumpkin, etc.. Tomatoes (field) Tomatoes (hothouse) „ Turnips Zucca melons- Totals- 1954 1955 1954 1955 1954 1955 1954 1955 1954 1955 1954 1955 1954 1955 1954 1955 1954 1955 1954 1955 1954 1955 1954 1955 1954 1955 1954 1955 1954 1955 1954 1955 1954 1955 1954 1955 1954 1955 1954 1955 1954 1955 1954 1955 Acres 410 460 1,470 1,380 340 340 530 540 870 760 AW 400 560 520 2,160 2,120 530 460 16,110 15,590 Lb. 1,680 1,500 6,623 7,200 13,600 14,700 12,981 23,200 14,861 19,200 7,441 9,600 6,151 7,100 5,088 4,900 9,484 10,000 690 12,304 650 11,100 780 16,881 560 19,800 110 7,686 80 8,600 4,540 3,286 4,470 3,400 390 5,592 350 7,000 280 12,534 230 10,700 1,770 8,674 1,910 10,200 270 15,128 360 18,000 Lb. 688,900 690,000 9,736,500 9,936,000 4,624,200 4,998,000 6,880,300 12,528,000 12,929,000 14,592,000 3,051,000 3,840,000 3,444,800 3,692,000 10,990,200 10,388,000 5,027,000 4,600,000 727,000 728,000 8,489,900 7,215,000 1,047,100 953,000 13,167,100 11,088.000 845,500 688,000 14,920,700 15,198,000 2,181,200 2,450,000 3,509,600 2,461,000 15,353,700 19,482,000 3,283,900 2,783,000 4,084,700 6,480,000 309,119 1,120,000 125,291,419 135,910,000 Cents 18.00 19.60 4.31 4.90 3.84 3,00 2.89 3.10 2.55 3.00 8.06 8.00 3.60 3.40 1.77 2.20 4.92 4.50 15.00 20.70 3.10 3.10 43.00 43.60 1.42 3.50 4.77 4.90 4.72 4.60 4.62 4.40 2.43 3.00 3.53 3.50 20.31 19.60 2.34 2.52 1.00 1.15 124,120 135,000 520,230 487,000 177,790 150,000 199,080 388,000 330,480 438,000 246,100 307,000 124,030 126,000 194,690 229,000 247,370 207,000 109,710 151,000 263,150 224,000 449,950 416,000 187,650 388,000 40,340 34,000 705,200 699,000 100,890 108,000 85,240 74,000 543,030 682,000 667,010 546,000 95,530 163,000 3,090 13,000 5,414,680 5,965,000 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 19 LIVE STOCK Prices for most classes of live stock were relatively steady throughout the year, at levels slightly below those realized in 1954. A feature of this year's beef market was the price differential established between dry-fed and grass-fed steers and heifers, the former bringing an average of $2 per hundredweight more. Prices during the shipping season ranged between $16 and $18 for steers, 1,000 pounds and under. Good to choice feeder steers were generally $15 to $17, while heifers averaged $13 to $15. On balance, prices were down about $1.50 from 1954 levels. A total of close to 56,000 cattle were received at stockyards and plants from British Columbia points during the year, an increase of 5,000 head over the 1954 total. Total receipts of calves were down by some 1,200 head, at 9,392 from the same sources. Receipts of sheep and lambs were unchanged, at just over 25,000 head for the year. Prices were down about $1 per hundredweight from average 1954 levels. Hog gradings showed a surprising increase to some 40,000, a gain of 30 per cent over the preceding year's total. Prices were well below 1954 levels, averaging $4 to $5 less for most of the year. Table 4.—Estimated Numbers of Live Stock on Farms in British Columbia at June 1st, Years 1954 and 1955 Kind Cattle— Bulls 1 year old or older Milk cows and heifers 2 years old or older Beef cows and heifers 2 years old or older Yearling heifers for milk Yearling heifers for beef Steers 1 year old or older All calves under 1 year old June 1, 1954 (Number) June 1, 1955 (Number) 6,200 6,000 100,000 102,000 86,000 27,000 31,000 40,800 86,000 82,000 26,500 31,000 37,500 89,000 Total cattle and calves 377,000 374,000 Sheep and lambs— Rams 1 year old or older. 1,700 Ewes 1 year old or older 40,700 Lambs under 1 year old 40,600 Total sheep and lambs 83,000 1,600 41,000 42,400 85,000 Hogs— Hogs over 6 months old (including sows) 16,000 Hogs under 6 months old 31,000 Total hogs Total horses 47,000 31,000 16,000 39,000 55,000 29,000 HH 20 BRITISH COLUMBIA POULTRY AND EGGS The early months of the year found egg prices depressed, with a weighted average producer price of only 33 cents per dozen. As a result, flocks were culled heavily and chick hatchings were reduced across the country. By midsummer the weighted average price had climbed to 45 cents, 5 cents above the comparable 1954 average. Autumn saw shortages develop, driving prices farther upward to an average of 53.4 cents, as eggs were imported from points as distant as California to close the gap between supply and demand. The volume moving through registered grading-stations was down about 14 per cent for the year. Poultry-meat production increased 30 per cent over the 1954 total, but prices remained practically unchanged. Table 5.—Poultry Population at June 1st, Years 1954 and 1955 June 1, 1954 June 1, 1955 Kind (Number) (Number) Hens and chickens 4,130,000 3,900,000 Turkeys 320,000 328,000 Geese 14,000 14,000 Ducks 24,000 20,000 Totals 4,488,000 4,262,000 DAIRYING The Province's dairy-cow population continued its steady rate of increase, reaching a new high of 102,000 head by mid-year. Production was also up by an estimated 1,500,000 pounds. Creamery-butter production showed a decrease of 14 per cent from the record high output of over 7,000,000 pounds reported for 1954. Ice-cream manufacture, on the other hand, reached an all-time record of 3,216,000 gallons. A feature of the dairy industry's market in 1955 was the strong demand for powdered milk. Improved production techniques introduced during the year resulted in ready consumer acceptance of this popular by-product. MISCELLANEOUS A moderate increase in sheep and lamb numbers was reflected in a gain of 7,000 pounds in the annual wool-clip, to a total of 348,000 pounds. Unfavourable weather conditions effectively reduced the 1955 honey-crop by about 250,000 pounds from the preceding year's total of 1,054,000 pounds. The Province's yield of hops was also down from the same cause at 1,367,000 pounds, as compared with 1,586,000 pounds in 1954. Fur prices continued firm at Vancouver, with December auctions bringing spirited bidding on most offerings of mink. The quality of furs offered at these sales in recent years has established Vancouver as a major fur market. MARKETING BOARDS A plebiscite held among the registered growers operating in the Interior on the question of continuance of the British Columbia Interior Vegetable Marketing Scheme produced a two to one affirmative vote. By actual count the balloting was: For, 308; against, 153. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 21 By Order in Council approved in October, the system of election of officers to the British Columbia Interior Vegetable Marketing Board was changed from three-, two-, and one-year terms to one-year terms for all. The Board for 1956 was elected under this revised system at the annual meeting in December. PUBLICATIONS Publication of the weekly Markets Bulletin was discontinued with the November 2nd edition. However, a condensed markets report will be issued among Departmental personnel on a weekly basis, commencing in 1956. PERSONNEL As a part of the Departmental reorganization programme during the year, staff and facilities of the Markets and Statistics Branches were merged under the name of Markets and Statistics Branch. Activities of this newly formed branch were expanded at mid-year with the appointment of Mr. J. B. Moen as Economist, and later when Mr. G. P. Sinnott was engaged as an assistant. The work of these two men was centred largely upon economic research and analysis of the dairy industry at the Coast and of the freight-rates structure affecting the transportation of feed-grains into British Columbia from Prairie points. REPORT OF HORTICULTURAL BRANCH R. P. Murray, B.S.A., Provincial Horticulturist GENERAL CONDITIONS The year 1955 followed the generally unfavourable weather pattern that has existed since 1949. The season was later than usual, with a cold, backward, and wet spring and early summer. In March a general cold spell throughout the Province did considerable damage to strawberry-crowns and loganberry-buds on the Lower Mainland, as well as bud damage to tree-fruits in the Okanagan. Cool, wet weather in late June and early July was responsible for possibly the worst apple-scab year the Kootenay District has ever experienced, and losses have been unusually high, with the bulk of the crop only fit for processing. This same wet spell caused losses to the strawberry-crop on the Lower Mainland of around 40 per cent. Vancouver Island escaped most of the wet weather and harvested a crop about 20 per cent larger than 1954. Usually the Island crop is shipped to the fresh-fruit market, but this season, because of the weather, the bulk of the crop was processed and only three cars and a few scattered L.C.L. shipments were sold on the fresh market. What promised to be a much larger crop of sweet cherries in the Okanagan was badly damaged by rain, and shipments were only a little larger than 1954. The apricot-crop was roughly twice the size of the 1954 crop—542,600 crates as compared to 293,400. This crop met very stiff competition from imported apricots and sold at relatively low prices. The quality and superior pack of the British Columbia apricots were responsible for moving the crop and still return something to the grower. During the movement of the early peaches, weather conditions improved and the Okanagan enjoyed some very warm weather. These peaches were of excellent quality and were well received on the market. In the case of later peaches the opposite was true and complaints were general because of condition. This year peaches were harvested as late as October, an all-time record for this crop. HH 22 BRITISH COLUMBIA The pear-crop was only slightly larger and of better quality than in 1954, though Bartletts had a tendency to run to small sizes. The crop was well received and sold at fair prices. It is becoming more apparent each year that the pear-crop should be confined to the two main varieties—Bartlett and Anjou—with the elimination of Cee grade and an increase in the size of Bartletts if our pears are to meet the competition of imported fruit. The prune-crop was approximately that of last year. Again the lateness of the season interfered with the movement. By September 5th only 7,000 crates had been sold, whereas in an ordinary season there would be a strong movement at this date. Strong competition from imported prunes at very low prices depressed sales of British Columbia prunes, with consequent very low returns to the growers. The apple-crop is expected to reach 6,761,000 boxes, an increase of 700,000 boxes over the 1954 crop of 6,054,000. The general quality was very much better, especially Mcintosh. However, hail in the Okanagan and scab in the Kootenay meant larger than usual quantities diverted from the fresh market to the processing plants, at lower prices than the fresh market would return. With the increased production of Mcintosh in Eastern Canada, this Province is finding it more difficult each year to sell this variety east of Winnipeg. The export market has taken a larger proportion this year than for years past, and for the first time since before the war, shipments are going to Germany. An acute shortage of orchard help during the season and a strike of the packinghouse workers in the Okanagan at the peak of the peach season contributed further to the difficulties of the growers. During the strike, growers and their families took over the packing-houses and, with the help of those houses not unionized, moved the crop without loss. Fortunately the strike was settled before the apple-crop was ready. With the shortage of help and the lateness of the season, it looked for a time at least part of the crop would be caught by cold weather; however, high-school students and townspeople turned out, and the crop was under cover before the disastrous cold snap of November 11th struck. This cold snap that lasted for approximately a week has done a tremendous amount of damage; how much will not be known until growth starts in the spring. All horticultural crops have been affected, and the monetary losses will be very heavy. Unlike the usual cold snap that would usually strike one area, this freeze has been Province- wide. The only area to escape with a minimum of damage has been the Saanich Peninsula. The heaviest losses have been suffered by the small-fruit growers and nurserymen. Of the small fruits, strawberries have been hardest hit; an estimated 2,000 acres have been killed outright and the balance damaged. With no replacement stock of British Sovereign or Northwest available in any quantity, it will be at least three years before these two varieties will be ready to produce commercial quantities of fruit. Since most of the planting stock available in the Province has been lost, such plants as are available will be used for propagating purposes. In the meantime it is quite likely varieties not too suitable for this Province will be brought in as a stop-gap until such time as British Sovereign and Northwest are again obtainable. Loganberries on the Lower Mainland have been killed to the ground, and on Southern Vancouver Island, although not quite so severe, injury to the canes where they looped above the snow is serious and a considerable reduction in crop is anticipated. Blueberries, currants, gooseberries, and blackberries show little or no injury at this time. Young plantings of cranberries show some damage from heaving, but the older plantings are apparently in good shape. The holly-crop was cut to about 50 per cent of estimates and escaped with less injury than was first expected. Since a lot of holly ready for cutting was left on the trees because of injury, it will be necessary to prune this wood out before spring, to keep the trees in a proper bearing balance. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 23 Tree-fruits show considerable spur damage at the base of the buds, especially in such varieties as Delicious, Newtown, Winesap, Rome Beauty, and, in some areas, Mcintosh. Sweet cherries and prunes show considerable bud damage, and next year's crop could be reduced by 50 per cent. Apricots and peaches show some injury, but there are plenty of buds left for a normal crop, provided, of course, the weather does not turn too cold. Nursery stock, except the hardiest, has been very badly hit. Much of the ornamental stock has been either killed outright or has been so severely damaged as to render it unsaleable. Tree-fruit stock caught in the freeze is badly damaged and much of it will be unsaleable, also budded stock for the 1956 crop will have to be rebudded or replaced with fresh root-stocks. Just prior to the freeze of November 11th, heavy rains for several days made fields so wet it was impossible to get on the land to harvest such crops as carrots, potatoes, cabbage, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, celery, turnips, etc. Had the weather remained dry, a good deal of the tonnage lost would have been harvested before the freeze occurred. Stecklings for the sugar-beet- and turnip-seed crop for 1956 have been badly damaged, and it is doubtful at this time if any seed of these two crops will be harvested in 1956. The following table, submitted by D. A. Allan, District Horticulturist, Oliver, showing blossoming dates for the Oliver district for the past five years, indicates the lateness of the 1955 season:— Fruit 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 Apr. 15 Apr. 24 Apr. 25 May 1 Apr. 30 May 7 Apr. 16 Apr. 21 Apr. 23 Apr. 25 Apr. 26 May 2 Apr. 2 Apr. 22 Apr. 19 Apr. 23 Apr. 25 May 4 Apr. 18 Apr. 25 Apr. 24 May 3 May 4 May 7 Apr. 29 Cherries Peaches Pears - May 5 May 7 May 10 May 12 Apples - May 19 CROP REPORTS Although figures on acreages, yields, and values for fruits and vegetables are obtained by the Horticultural Branch, they are turned over to the Statistician and will be found in his report. SEED PRODUCTION J. L. Webster reports:— " While the total values of vegetable seeds for 1955 may be slightly higher than 1954, the increase will be almost entirely due to the larger quantity of peas. Actually, the total volume and value of a number of the lesser vegetable-seed items has declined slightly, and it is expected that this trend will be more noticeable in the future unless seed-growers show a revival of interest in growing these crops." L HH 24 BRITISH COLUMBIA The following table shows the trend in seed production for the years 1953 to 1955 (final compilation of 1955 figures will not be available until February, 1956):— Kind 1953 1955 Asparagus Beans (broad) Beans (pole or dwarf).. B eets Cabbage Carrots Cauliflower— _ Corn (sweet) Cucumbers Leeks.. _ Lettuce. Muskmelons - __ Onions _ Onion sets and multipliers- Parsley Parsnips _ Peas Peppers — _ Pumpkins Radishes. Spinach Squash — — — Tomatoes.- Turnips (swede) Vegetable marrows.- Totals Lb. 160 9,000 103,800 3,300 550 12,800 400 15,300 600 250 15,460 20 20,200 38,000 30 725 ,159,877 100 150 8,400 77 64 470 56,933 750 3,447,416 Lb. 200 8,000 148,400 2,400 84 24,500 500 3,800 125 6,300 7,900 200,000 5,500 4,213,858 75 400 10,000 1,818 400 12,700 800 4,647,760 As a result of continued low prices, a number of former seed-growers have become discouraged and turned to other crops. Since most of the flower- and vegetable-seed producers are operating small acreages that do not lend themselves to mechanization, growers of these crops are losing interest because of the scarcity and the high price of hand-labour, making it difficult to compete with areas where these seeds are produced on a mechanized basis. Production of peas and various field crops, such as turnips, sugar-beets, alfalfa, timothy, etc., where the operation is largely mechanized, show no decline and could easily be increased if the demand warranted such expansion. VEGETABLES The acreage devoted to vegetable production in the Okanagan continued the downward trend—only 5,300 acres in 1955 as compared to 5,604 in 1954 and 9,292 acres in 1949. Of the twenty major vegetable-crops grown in the Okanagan, fourteen were decidedly down in acerage from 1954. Four kinds showed neither an upward or downward trend, and only one commodity showed a distinct increase—asparagus. A loss of acreage from previous years was shown by onions, cucumbers, carrots, cantaloupes, and squash. Green beans remain about the same. The acreage of vegetables on the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island shows only a very slight increase over last year. At the present time, imports of vegetables readily grown in these two areas indicate the acreage could be increased considerably, but with a lack of good storage and a very loosely organized industry any increase will be slow. Here again the small grower, depending largely on hand-labour, has to compete on a highly competitive market with the grower with enough acreage to mechanize and operate with a minimum of high-priced and scarce hand-labour. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 25 British Columbia Vegetable Acreages, 1954 and 1955 Crop 1954 Acreages 1955 Acreages 1. Asparagus 440.00 462.50 2. Beans (green) 1,270.00 1,377.00 3. Beans (dried) 90.00 140.00 4. Beets 330.00 338.00 5. Broccoli 71.42 71.42 6. Cabbage 590.00 539.00 7. Carrots 860.00 757.00 8. Cauliflower 410.00 393.00 9. Celery 560.00 524.00 10. Corn 2,140.00 2,124.00 11. Cucumbers (field) 527.00 457.00 12. Lettuce (field) 650.00 647.00 13. Onions 790.00 564.00 14. Parsnips 110.00 84.00 15. Peas (green) 4,240.00 4,471.00 16. Peas (dried) 2,410.00 2,850.00 17. Potatoes 10,888.00 9,960.00 18. Spinach 370.00 344.80 19. Squash, pumpkins, etc. 278.00 229.00 20. Tomatoes (field) 1,800.00 1,907.00 21. Turnips 300.00 356.00 22. Zucca melons 15.50 28.00 23. Other vegetables 1,557.00 1,546.00 Totals 3C,696.92 30,169.72 Tomatoes were set out later than usual and, except in Osoyoos and Kamloops, made very little growth because of cool weather until the middle of June. This set the crop back about two weeks, and most of the canning crop was lost by frost. Again this year a large number of plants were imported from Nevada and were generally unsatisfactory. Many growers considered them not worth planting. This meant a rush for locally grown plants, and, since the supply was short, had a bearing on the lower acreage this year. One of the disturbing features of tomato product on is the quantity left in the field each year, caught by frost. Early-maturing varieties that look promising are being tried both by this Department and the Experimental Farms, as well as the larger processors, such as Heinz and Campbell. At the present time, cne or two varieties show definite promise, and these tests are being continued. Onions.—Spring-seeded onions sown about mid-April in very dry, cool weather showed poor germination and consequent patchy stands. Bulbing commenced toward the end of July, a full two weeks later than usual. Harvesting commenced toward the end of August and continued into October; the late season, shortage of help and poor management, and lack of harvesting equipment, all contributed to the delay. Early-harvested onions were of good quality and were well received. The late-harvested onions showed considerable loss from "neck-rot" and went out mosthy as No. 3 grade. At the present time the Horticultural Branch, with the help of the engineering staff, is trying to design a low-priced machine for lifting and windrowing the onions in order to speed up and lower the cost of pulling. It is expected an experimental machine will be in operation for the 1956 crop. Asparagus.—About two-thirds of the crop went to the canners, and they report it was the best quality in years. HH 26 BRITISH COLUMBIA Cucumbers and Peppers.—In spite of the season, these two crops enjoyed a good season—the market was receptive and the quality of both crops good. Root Crops.—Carrots, turnips, beets, and parsnips in the Okanagan have now declined to a point where they no longer constitute an important part of the industry. In the coastal areas, however, they are on the increase, but have come nowhere near the point where they take care of local needs. Lack of suitable storage is holding up any rapid increase of these crops. Trials are under way with non-ventilated storage-pits on the farms, and polythene bags in cold storages after the produce has been washed and graded. The future for both methods looks very promising. NURSERIES AND GREENHOUSES The summer inspection of all 1-year-old nursery stock for trueness to variety was carried out in all nurseries selling tree-fruit stocks this past season, as well as clonal stocks lined out for budding, and also the stool-beds. In all 2,002 mixtures were marked in the fifteen nurseries inspected. This service is not only of benefit to the nurserymen, but also to the purchasers. The nurserymen, through the British Columbia division of the Canadian Association of Nurserymen, have expressed their appreciation of this service. Inspections at digging-time for such conditions as root-gall, hairy-root, root-borers, scale, etc., was well under way until digging operations were held up by the November freeze. No stock has been dug since. For the first time in the history of this Branch, a survey has been undertaken to find out the kinds of stock grown, acreage, and the number of people employed by this industry. The following tables are a summary of the survey conducted by W. D. Christie:— Table 1.—British Columbia Nursery-stock Production Fraser Valley Interior Vancouver Island B.C. Total Kind of Stock Number of Plants Value Number of Plants Value Number of Plants Value Number of Plants Value 24,635 85,110 42,815 127,925 160,400 237,600 97,150 $ 24,100 47,195 41,807 134,910 67,190 49,805 19,820 703 475 35 1,056 20 230 $ 1,943 154 27 504 18 42 6,750 22,400 19,200 26,000 40,850 24,100 30,700 $ 7,200 12,580 26,450 26,075 19,400 5,045 1,000 32,088 107,985 62,050 154,981 201,270 261,930 127,850 $ 33,243 Deciduous shrubs B.L. evergreens Conifers Roses Heathers, alpines, perennials 59,929 68,284 161,489 80,408 54,892 21,020 Total ornamentals 775,635 384,827 2,519 2,688 170,000 97,750 948,154 485,265 58,636 16,005 13,650 5,480 950 7,850 1,800 43,818 12,685 10,885 3,868 613 5,680 2,200 125,861 49,575 25,443 26,105 13,885 8,487 1,078 101,357 31,521 18,872 20,013 10,204 6,106 69 12,800 4,450 2,850 2,600 1,515 1,550 600 9,385 3,435 1,875 1,450 760 925 205 197,297 70,030 41,943 34,185 16,350 17,887 3,478 154,560 Pear. Cherry 47,641 31,632 25,331 Apricot— Plums and prunes Miscellaneous 11,574 12,761 2,474 Total fruits 104,371 79,749 250,434 188,142 26,365 18,085 381,170 285,446 21,000 3,290 26,046 1,527 5,084 61 15,000 3,000 62,046 1,527 11,374 Miscellaneous root- 61 Total root-stocks- 21,000 3,290 27,573 5,145 15,000 3,000 63,543 11,435 Grand totals 901,006 467,866 280,526 195,975 211,365 118,835 1,392,897 782,676 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 27 Table 2.—Plants Imported as Lining-out Stock Fraser Valley Interior Vancouver Island B.C. Total Kind of Stock Number of Plants Value Number of Plants Value Number of Plants Value Number of Plants Value 50 37,900 38,950 58,095 18,100 750 200 $ 25 5,695 8,250 9,509 534 80 20 173 $ 120 2,378 993 2,940 8,330 5,000 10,500 2,225 $ 804 870 1,642 2,280 700 350 700 2,601 38,893 41,890 66,594 23,360 11,250 2,425 $ 949 6,565 9,892 Conifers Roses Heathers, alpines, per- 169 260 338 130 12,127 1,364 430 720 Total ornamentals 154,045 24,113 602 | 588 32,366 | 7,346 187,013 32,047 Apple stocks Pear stocks. __ 47,650 7,950 11,270 3,835 480 571 322,540 | 11,268 40.303 1.717 3,500 1,250 6,000 400 62 370 373,690 49,503 54,340 2,196 1,140 10,350 7,550 15,503 2,259 37,070 2,196 1,140 1,950 6,550 1,893 1,289 684 185 270 2,834 1,289 5,000 684 Plum and prune stocks Miscellaneous 3,400 1,000 165 45 250 600 315 Total fruits _ 71,270 5,096 411,749 | 17,306 15,750 | 1,082 498,769 23,484 Grand totals 225,315 29,209 412,351 | 17,894 1 48,116 | 8,428 ! 685,782 55,531 Tab I e 3.—Nursery Acreages Fraser Valley Interior Vancouver Island B.C. Total 41 457V4 216!/2 7 149 72 9 163'/2 77 58 Total acreage _ Acreage in crop—. _ 770 365Vi Tablt • 4.—Nursery Personnel Fraser Valley Interior Vancouver Island B.C. Total Number of full-time em Highest seasonal emplo Number of man-hours a 100 171 269.606 30 75 R3.950 27 57 65.540 157 303 319,096 Nursery Licences.—In 1955, 184 licences were issued, as against 199 in 1954. HOPS The marketing outlook continues poor, and, while the industry is maintaining its present acreage, no new plantings are contemplated. Poor growing conditions were experienced in the early part of the season, but the warm weather in August saved the crop, so that reasonable yields, averaging 1,400 pounds per acre, were harvested. HOLLY Considerable interest is being shown in holly-growing, especially on the Saanich Peninsula. New plantings are being set out to named varieties or selected unnamed types rather than the hit or miss methods of a few years ago. The holly-crop showed every promise of being up to estimates and was of excellent quality, but was severely damaged by the November freeze, and only about 50 per cent or 20 tons were harvested. HH 28 BRITISH COLUMBIA The small-package deal started last season was very well received by the trade, and it was expected that some 60,000 packages would have been shipped this year had there been a normal crop. FILBERTS Cold weather during March is blamed for a slightly reduced tonnage this season. The estimated yield for 1955 was 550,000 pounds, as compared to 600,000 pounds in 1954. Bad weather made harvesting difficult, but the general quality of the nuts is reported to be satisfactory. Prices to the grower have steadily increased as marketing outlets continue to improve or new markets are developed. Prices in 1953 were 2W2 cents, in 1954 were 25 cents, and are expected to reach 30 cents for the 1955 crop. So far the only pest necessitating control measures has been the leaf-roller, which has been confined to the East Chilliwack area. TOBACCO Tobacco-growing has been confined to a few experienced growers in the Sumas area. This season some 85 acres, as compared to 95 acres in 1954, produced slightly more than 100,000 pounds of dried leaf. All the tobacco is shipped to Eastern Canada for processing. SURVEYS AND INSPECTION WORK In addition to the surveys and inspections listed below, a nematode survey was also conducted in the Okanagan, but because of its length has been reported separately. This is the first general survey of any area in the Province, though spot checks have been made in the coastal areas in previous years. The field work was done by members of the Horticultural Branch and the root samples forwarded to Victoria for determination. Four hundred and forty-eight composite samples were forwarded, and represented the area from Salmon Arm to Osoyoos. The determinations and detailed report of the findings was very ably carried out by R. J. Hastings, formerly of Science Service, Canada Department of Agriculture. British Columbia Bulb Survey, 1955 Totals for British Columbia Approximate Variety Acreage Quantity Narcissus 278.33 16,160,000 Tulips 86.47 8,646,200 Hyacinths 4.92 196,833 Gladioli 78.57 7,856,333 Iris (bulbous) 19.25 2,888,000 Iris (others) 8.08 60,625 Lilies 5.60 140,500 Dahlias 28.00 112,000 Peonies 11.28 67,700 Other bulbs 2.23 446,000 Totals 522.73 The acreage is down some 47 acres from the previous survey. The bulk of the bulb acreage is centred on the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island. Improved production methods, more attention to the quality of planting-stock, and improved control of narcissus bulb-fly are showing results in better-quality bulbs. To successfully meet the competition from imported bulbs, the present quality at least will have to be maintained and a larger number of selected varieties grown. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 29 The following table gives an estimated value of the bulb industry in this Province:— Estimated Value of Marketable Bulb Production in British Columbia, 1955 Narcissus— 278.33 acres X 80,000=22,266,400 planted Marketable output, 15% =3,339,960 @ $45 per M=$150,298.20 Tulips— 86.47 acres X 100,000=8,647,000 planted Marketable output, 25% =2,161,750 @ $25 per M= $54,043.75 Iris (bulbous) — 19.25 acres X 150,000=2,887,500 planted Marketable output, 30% = 866,250 @ $30 per M= $25,987.50 Gladiolus— 78.57 acres X 100,000=7,857,000 planted Marketable output, 30% =2,357,100 @ $20 per M= $47,142.00 Miscellaneous (peonies, dahlias, lilies, grape hyacinths, scilla, chionodoxa, crocuses)— 60.11 acres X $1,000 per acre $60,110.00 Total (522.73 acres) $337,581.45 Greenhouse Survey, 1955 According to the greenhouse survey in 1953, there was a total of 4,725,288 square feet of glass, and in 1955 there was 4,803,642 square feet, an increase of 78,354 square feet. All districts show an increase, with the Lower Mainland leading with 51,433 square feet. Of the Provincial footage, 2,366,068 square feet, or just slightly under 50 per cent of the total, is on Vancouver Island, as shown in the following table:— 1953 1955 District Number of Growers Area in Square Feet Number of Growers Area in Square Feet 273 1,819,012 210 2,359,668 184 511,989 12 34,619 273 210 186 13 1,870,445 2,366,068 526,445 40,684 Kootenay __ Totals 679 1 4.7759R8 682 4,803,642 ' Orchard Surveys The quinquennial orchard survey for the Okanagan and Kootenay areas has been completed. A somewhat different form was used for this survey, and was designed to give more complete information than was possible with the form used for past surveys. From this survey it is learned there are 92,269.6 acres of farm lands in the Okanagan with fruit-growing as part or all of the operation. The acreage may be broken down as follows:— HH 30 BRITISH COLUMBIA Total farm 92,269.6 Orchard 34,502.4 Unplanted fruit land 7,962.1 Waste land 18,528.4 Mixed— Pasture 21,905.5 Farming 5,240.0 Vegetables 1,386.4 Irrigated— Sprinkler 22,185.5 Furrow 11,049.1 This survey shows the unplanted fruit land comprises 18.75 per cent of the total acreage in the present tree-fruit area that would allow for considerable expansion if conditions ever warrant it. Of the acreage planted to orchards, 64.3 per cent is irrigated by sprinkler, 32.0 per cent by furrows, and 3.7 per cent is dry-farmed. All orchards were given a rating as to condition, and a summary shows 2.1 per cent rate excellent, 53.7 per cent rate good, 38.9 per cent rate fair, and 5.3 per cent rate poor. The total acreage of the various tree-fruits of all ages is as follows: Apples, 20,959.7 acres; crab-apples, 208.6 acres; pears, 3,750.16 acres; peaches, 3,320.63 acres; apricots, 1,937.01 acres; sweet cherries, 2,875.6 acres; sour cherries, 268.3 acres; plums, 91.12 acres; and prunes, 1,645.12 acres. The area surveyed in the Okanagan extends from Lillooet to Osoyoos and comprises 3,921 properties, or an average of 9.02 acres of orchard per farm. The Kootenay District includes Grand Forks, Arrow and Kootenay Lakes, and Creston, and shows a total acreage for the area concerned at 2,555.13 acres of orchard, planted as follows: Apples, 1,772.6 acres; crab-apples, 8.16 acres; pears, 143.57 acres; peaches, 47.99 acres; prunes, 111.53 acres; apricots, 11 acres; cherries, 435.84 acres; and plums, 24.44 acres. Nursery Inspections All nurseries selling tree-fruit nursery stock were inspected at digging-time, with the following results:— Trees Number Inspected Number Passed Number Condemned Apples and crab-apples 115,991 20,849 10,872 26,439 45,361 17,626 1,000 114,014 20,261 8,307 23,636 36,163 13,969 964 1,977 588 2,565 2,803 9,198 3,657 36 238,138 217,314 20,824 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 31 The usual fire-blight inspections were carried out during the dormant period in the tree-fruit areas. The results are as follows:— District Total Acres Inspected Passed (Acres) Not Passed (Acres) 96 3,500 772 350 132 341 700 22 50 95 3,465 772 350 132 341 700 22 50 1 35 Totals - 5,963 5,927 36 DEMONSTRATION WORK Strawberry Plots Yields of strawberries in this Province have been on the decline for several years, and on checking over the situation it was found there were several causes responsible: (1) Small acreages that made a rotation of crops difficult; (2) poor cultural methods; (3) poor planting-stock. Since the underlying cause of the poor yields could be summed up as poor farming generally, it was decided to set out plots in the various small-fruit sections of the Province to demonstrate what could be done. Accordingly, eight plots of one-half acre in area were set out in the spring of 1955 as follows: Two on Vancouver Island, four on the Lower Mainland, and one each at Salmon Arm and Creston, on a three-year agreement with the land-owner. Briefly, the arrangements were: The Department rented the land for three years and supplied the plants and the fertilizer. The owner agreed to do the necessary work, such as planting, cultivating, spraying, picking, and the keeping of crop records, the crop to go to the use of the owner. Certified plants of British Sovereign were set out on seven of the plots and one of Northwest. British Sovereign was stressed, since it was felt this variety had served the industry over the years better than any other variety that had ever been grown. Unfortunately, the November freeze killed out all but one plot, and the work will have to be started over again as soon as suitable plants are available. The remaining plot is looking very well, and so far has demonstrated what good farming and good plants will do. The owner is very pleased with the results, and growers in the district are showing a good deal of interest. Although it is discouraging to have to replant the other seven plots, the final results, it is felt, will be worth the effort. Strawberry Selection.—In order to build up a stock of British Sovereign stock of known vigour and production, it was decided to select runners from plants showing these characteristics and have them grown where the individual selections could be evaluated, and the selected plants propagated for distribution to reliable plant-growers. Through the co-operation of the University of British Columbia an area was set aside for propagating the selections made by the Horticultural Branch. During the summer G. E. W. Clarke, Supervising Horticulturist, had selected runners from a great many desirable-type plants for planting in 1956, but this work was lost in the November freeze. It is intended to carry on with this project as soon as there is sufficient producing acreage of the British Sovereign variety to make the necessary selections. Raspberries Three varieties of raspberries were distributed for trial this season, namely Puyal- lup, Canby, and No. 151. HH 32 BRITISH COLUMBIA Puyallup is a new variety recently introduced by the Western Washington Experiment Station. It has been given so much publicity that it was felt it should be given a trial under commercial conditions in the raspberry-growing districts of this Province. Plants have been set out on Vancouver Island, Creston, the Lower Mainland, and the Okanagan. No. 151 is a raspberry being grown commercially in the Creston district and giving better satisfaction than any other variety that district has ever grown. No one knows its origin or how it got to be numbered 151. Plants have been set out on Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland, and the Okanagan. Canby, a variety introduced in Oregon, shows considerable promise as a fair quality, easily picked, good colour, and good yielding variety, but will not tolerate wet conditions during the dormant period. Hence it is useless for our coastal areas. Since none of the commercial varieties have done too well in the Okanagan, a small planting of Canby was set out at Salmon Arm. All the plantings grew well during the summer, but it will not be until growth starts in the spring to learn how well they withstood the November freeze. Grapes In an endeavour to get a grape of good quality and early enough to ripen with a high sugar content, five varieties of grapes introduced by the Geneva Experiment Station were purchased in 1952 and distributed throughout the Okanagan. This season all five varieties carried a few grapes, and although it was not a favourable season, two—Himrod and Bath—appear to have considerable merit. A planting of these varieties at Kelowna was examined some time after the November freeze and have apparently come through with a minimum of injury. Tomatoes The tomato demonstration test-plots at Kelowna and Kamloops were continued this year. Kamloops plots have served no useful purpose and have now been abandoned. The Kelowna plot was well maintained, and the results were quite favourable considering the season. E. M. King reports as follows:— " The plants, an early selection of Wisconsin 55, were set out May 27th. Growth during June was slow but picked up during July. The field was kept in excellent condition throughout the season. First picking of tomatoes was made on August 8th. Picking continued until October 5th. Total harvested yield was 8.6 tons, up 3 tons from the previous year. An estimate of the unharvested yield indicated that upwards of 12 tons of tomatoes were left in the field." To demonstrate the value of well-grown tomato plants, trials were continued with banding and spacing of plants in flats. The following figures and comments submitted by E. M. King should be of particular interest to any tomato-grower:— Type of Plants Early Yield up to Aug. 31 Total Harvested Yield (Oct. 5) Total Unharvested Yield (Estimated) Total Harvested and Unharvested Yield Lb. per Ac. 2,492 4,880 5,136 Lb. per Ac. 14,672 26,480 26,916 Lb. per Ac. 25.250 22,410 21,600 Lb. per Ac. 39,922 48,890 48,516 " It is readily apparent from the above figures that the 2" x 2" plants were inferior in both early and total yields. The unharvested yield was highest in the case of the DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 33 2" x 2" plants, almost three-quarters of the fruit being so late maturing that it was left in the field. " The difference in early yield between the 3" x 3" banded and 3" x 3" unbanded plants was slight, the banded plants producing only 256 pounds per acre more than the unbanded plants. This difference in total harvested yield (436 pounds), when calculated on an acreage basis, did not justify the extra cost of banding. At present prices of $50 per thousand for 3" x 3" unbanded and $60 per thousand for 3" x 3" banded plants, the additional per acre cost of banded plants is $27.22. The additional return from the use of banded plants did not approach this figure. " In the light of two years' results comparing the yields from 2" x 2" plants with those from 3" x 3" plants, there appears to be little justification for the continued use of tomato plants grown 2" x 2" in the flat." Asparagus With the increase in acreage of this crop in the Okanagan, fertilizer trials are being continued at Vernon, Armstrong, and Salmon Arm. Salmon Arm Fertilizer Trials The trials at Salmon Arm, under the direction of R. M. Wilson, were set up on a 1954 planting of Mary Washington. The plots are 620 feet long and five rows wide, five plots in all. Plot No. 1: 80 pounds of 33-0-0. Plot No. 2: 80 pounds of 33-0-0 plus 150 pounds of 0-19-0. Plot No. 3: 80 pounds of 33-0-0 plus 50 pounds of 0-0-60. Plot No. 4: Check. Plot No. 5: 80 pounds of 33-0-0 plus 150 pounds of 0-19-0 plus 50 pounds of 0-0-60. Results: The only noticeable feature observed in July and August was that the four nitrogen-treated plots showed greater vigour and darker green colour. Vernon District Fertilizer Trials W. T. Baverstock reports on the fertilizer trials with asparagus at Vernon and Armstrong—one plot is under sprinklers and the other is grown without irrigation. Okanagan Landing.—Object: Comparison of various commercial fertilizers at various rates on yields. Location: A. Woodcock, Okanagan Landing, B.C. Procedure: Fertilizer was applied as follows: First application in early spring and a summer application immediately after the cutting season was over. Fertilizer was broadcast by hand and cultivated in. This experiment is under sprinkler irrigation. Observation: First picking was made on May 11th; last picking on June 29th. A total of fifty days picking compared with forty-six days picking in 1954. Size of plots: One-twentieth acre. Fertilizer Plot 1953 Yield 1954 Yield 1955 Yield Material Rate Lb. per Acre Lb. per Acre Lb. per Acre Lb. per Acre No. 1 - 33-0-0 500 3,225 4,570 4,165 No. 2 33-0-0 1,000 3,455 4,370 4,225 No. 3 16-20-0 500 2,450 4,200 4,045 No. 4 16-20-0 1,000 3,755 4,525 4,470 No. 5 — 6-10-10 700 3,780 4,080 4,150 No. 6 6-10-10 1,200 3,480 4,425 4,455 No. 7 - Check 3,010 3,375 3,920 HH 34 BRITISH COLUMBIA Conclusion: It is noted in this experiment that the higher application of fertilizer in every instance this season has given higher yields under sprinkler irrigation. It is the intention to carry out the experiment again during 1956. Armstrong.—Object: Comparison of various commercial fertilizers at various rates on yields. Location: W. Johnson, Armstrong, B.C. Procedure: Fertilizer was applied as follows: First application in early spring and a summer application immediately after the cutting season was over. Fertilizer was broadcast by hand and cultivated in. This experiment is not under irrigation. Observation: First picking was made on May 11th; last picking on June 27th. A total of forty-one days' picking compared with thirty-nine days' picking in 1954. Size of plots: One-twentieth acre. Plot Fertilizer 1953 Yield 1954 Yield 1955 Yield Material Rate No. 1 _ No. 2 _ No. 3 - No. 4 No. 5 No. 6- ... No. 7 33-0-0 33-0-0 16-20-0 16-20-0 6-10-10 6-10-10 Check Lb. per Acre 500 1,000 500 1,000 700 1,200 Lb. per Acre 4,095 3,660 3,615 3,475 3,600 3,240 3,615 Lb. per Acre 4,770 3,795 3,880 3,630 4,095 3,540 3,795 Lb. per Acre 4,560 4,185 4,275 4,080 4,425 4,230 4,380 Conclusion: Once again the higher applications are not justified, as in most cases these actually gave a lower yield. It is the intention to carry on this experiment again during 1956. PRUNING DEMONSTRATIONS Seventeen pruning demonstrations were held at various points throughout the Province during the year, with a total attendance of 403. MINERAL DEFICIENCIES Further work on treating a magnesium deficiency in greenhouse tomatoes was carried on by A. E. Littler in 1955. He reports as follows:— "As indicated in the 1954 Report, magnesium deficiency was a problem in many greenhouses; therefore, magnesium carbonate at 15 pounds per 1,000 square feet was applied in the greenhouse of Young-Day Company, which was 5 pounds higher than the year previous. An application of magnesium sulphate at 2 pounds per 10 gallons of water was also applied as a spray in another greenhouse of the same firm when slight yellowing was apparent. " Results: The plants in the greenhouse to which magnesium carbonate had been applied to the soil remained relatively green in comparison to the plants in the balance of the house. There was, however, a little yellowing, indicating that either the magnesium level should be increased or else applied earlier to obtain maximum solubility. In the greenhouse containing the sprayed plants, these regained their green colour and remained so throughout the balance of the season. "Conclusions: It is evident from the above results that magnesium as a minor element is essential in some, if not all, of the greenhouse soils in this area." TREE-FRUITS Prune Fertilizer Plots In an attempt to produce a larger and better-quality prune, fertilizer plots were set up in 1949 at Keremeos, Penticton, and Naramata. The plots in three locations received J DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 35 the same treatment, except the Harris plots, which received barnyard manure at the rate of 10 tons per acre per annum. M. P. D. Trumpour reports on the results to date as follows:— "Object: To continue the prune fertilizer trials set up in 1949 in an effort to determine whether nitrogenous fertilizer alone or in combination with phosphorus, potash, or sawdust produce different results. " Locations: G. Barker orchard, Keremeos, and W. Orr orchard, Naramata. (Note. —Trials on J. Harris orchard, Penticton, were discontinued due to tree-removal and renovations in the prune block.) "Procedure: Plot treatments are indicated in the tables under Results. All fertilizers and sawdust were applied in the late fall. Soil samples were taken from the Barker orchard in October and were analysed by the Field Crops Branch. Yields were recorded at harvest-time. "Observation: Prunes from the Barker orchard were small and of poor quality. Prunes from the Orr orchard were of medium size and of fair to good quality. " Yield results for the past six years in the Barker orchard are shown in the following table:— Plot Materials and Rates (per Tree) Average Yield per Tree (Lb.) 19501 1951 1952 19532 1954 1955 No 1 138 185 174 174 204 182 170 207 185 190 217 159 167 184 128 250 260 252 216 261 244= 197 No. 2 259 No. 3 226 No 4 170 No. 5 234 No. 6 Check _ „ 2143 1 No crop in Plots 1, 2, and 3 due to winter injury. 2 No crop harvested due to excessive fruit damage from spring frosts. 3 Grower applied fertilizer to those trees due to declining tree vigour and yields. Yield results for the past six years in the Orr orchard are shown in the following table:— Materials and Rates (per Tree) Average Yield per Tree (Lb.) 1950 1951 1952 19531 1954 1955 No. 1 239 172 213 203 234 196 135 80 120 184 215 180 134 113 228 185 302 260 95 59 81 106 115 86 230 151 204 245 215 165 199 No. 2 84 No. 3 170 No. 4 189 No. 5 187 No. 6 Check. 165 1 Crop reduced by excessive shrivel. "Conclusions: Results from the soil analysis in the Barker orchard show, except in a few cases, that there are higher concentrations of nutrients in the topsoil as compared to the subsoil. This gives rise to several questions, but rather than attempt to answer these, it is felt that soil-sampling should be repeated, but at a different time of the year. " The plots receiving 6 pounds of ammonium sulphate plus a dressing of sawdust continue to produce relatively good yields in both the Barker and Orr orchards. Apart from this, however, the yield results fail to show a consistent pattern. For example, the plot in the Orr orchard receiving 16-20-0 plus potassium sulphate has produced relatively good yields, whereas that in the Barker orchard has produced the poorest yields. A similar example, but in reverse order, are the plots receiving 6 pounds of ammonium sulphate. HH 36 BRITISH COLUMBIA "As for the yields in the plot in the Orr orchard receiving 8 pounds of ammonium sulphate, the trees have remained small and have not responded to the addition of the fertilizer. " It appears, at this time, that fertilizers are not the governing factor in obtaining satisfactory prune yields in these orchards. Accordingly, it is felt that this project should be continued, but with additional investigations. Such investigations would include more emphasis on soil analysis and an exploration for the presence of nematodes." Fertilizer trials in the Butler orchard, Blocks No. 1 and No. 2, Kelowna, are reported on in some detail by W. F. Morton. The plot in Block No. 1, started in 1928, received only nitrogen in amounts varying from 4 to 8 pounds of ammonium nitrate per tree, and, as will be seen from the following tabulation, there is no discernible difference over the years:— A verage Yield in Loose Boxes per Tree Plot 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 Average No. 1- 22.4 21.8 22.3 26.2 16.4 28.0 26.5 24.8 23.4 25.5 19.6 21.0 18.6 13.8 15.0 22.8 21.2 17.4 17.4 24.3 28.5 29.4 20.6 16.0 18.7 18.6 17.8 18.0 18.2 24.3 23 31 No. 2 No. 3 No. 4. . - 22.95 20.28 19.16 No. 5 20.70 On Block No. 2, this test was started in 1934 to compare nitrogen with nitrogen and phosphorus and a complete fertilizer. From the records since 1941 the differences in yield continue to be erratic, with a possible trend toward higher yields from the trees receiving nitrogen and phosphorus. Average Yield in Loose Boxes per Tree Plot 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 Average No. 1 — 25.2 26.7 20.8 25.5 19.8 23.0 25.8 15.0 19.3 26.3 23.2 24.3 21.8 24.2 27.6 18.7 18.3 25.2 15.2 24.3 20.88 No. 2 No. 3 No. 4 - - 25.08 22.52 21.56 Apple-scab Control Extensive work was carried out in the Creston and Sunshine Bay districts of the Kootenay District by J. E. Swales in co-operation with Drs. Marshall and Mcintosh of the Summerland research centre. Since this work is reported elsewhere in the Departmental Report, it is not repeated here. In the Salmon Arm district, R. M. Wilson, in co-operation with Dr. Mcintosh of the Plant Pathology Laboratory, studied the value of an eradicant spray for scab. Mr. Wilson's report in part is given below:— " Object: To test further the eradicant value of Phygon XL and its protective fungicidal properties for control of apple-scab. " Location: The plots were located in a block of Mcintosh trees in the W. R. Calver orchard in South Broadview. " Procedure: In the eradicant plot a tankful of spray at the rate of 3 pounds per acre was applied to mature trees seventy-two hours after the start of an infection period up to the calyx stage. Two sprays were applied. For later control, Crag 341 at 1 gallon per acre was applied in the first, second, and third cover sprays. Materials were put on by the grower with a concentrate-spray machine. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 37 " In the protective plots, Phygon XL was applied at 2 pounds per acre in the pre- pink, pink, and calyx stages, and the first two cover sprays consisted of Crag 341 at 1 gallon per acre. " Conclusions: Apparently Phygon XL as an eradicant spray gave fairly good control of apple-scab and would serve to check infection in the early stages from pink to calyx where protective sprays were omitted. "As a protective spray, Phygon XL gave just about as good control at 1-pound rate as at 2 pounds per acre. Phygon XL was superior to lime-sulphur for scab-control. No harmful effects were observed from the use of Phygon sprays. " On the basis of this work and that done in the Kootenay District, Phygon is again placed on the spray calendar for 1956." BLOSSOM-THINNING Thinning of the various tree-fruits by either mechanical removal of blossoms or with chemicals is now standard practice in the major tree-fruit areas. It has been found to be much cheaper and a great time-saver over the old method of removal by hand. So far no satisfactory method except hand-thinning has been successful with pears. Apples and prunes are now generally sprayed with one of the dinitro-cresol compounds, with good results, while apricots are thinned by tapping the branches just after the husks have fallen from the fruit or the blossoms brushed off with a handful of twigs. Peaches are usually brushed off in the same way. In order to find some chemical to remove peach blooms by spraying and thus cut down the labour cost, A. W. Watt has been working with chemical thinning of peaches as follows:— "Chemical Thinning of Peaches with Elgetol 318 " Object: The work was done to test the practicability of using Elgetol 318 applied in a concentrate sprayer as a thinning agent for peaches. " Location: N. O. Solly was interested in trying this method, as it had been given some publicity at the Chautauqua meetings. He volunteered the help of his equipment and staff. Accordingly, the work was carried out in one of the older peach blocks on the Solly orchard. " Materials: Elgetol 318, 36%, triethanolamine salt of dinitro-secbutylphenol. "Procedure: A block of twenty-eight Valiant and Vedette trees was selected for this test. The trees were about 20 years old. The material was applied with a Turbo- mist sprayer on the afternoon of May 12th. The rate of application was 7 pints per acre. The weather was mild with a light drift from the south-east. Two rows of unsprayed trees were left as checks. These lay to the south of the sprayed trees. On the evening of May 13th a heavy rain fell, lasting for several hours, and the trees remained damp until the following morning. " Observations: During the week following application the trees showed severe petal injury, some blasting of complete flowers, and moderate foliage injury consisting of withering and drying of the weaker shoots. " Results: Hand-thinning of the sprayed plot was reduced to trimming up clusters of fruit not touched by the spray. Amount of thinning (chemical) achieved varied between trees, but in general was more than adequate. " Conclusions: Judging from the amount of damage suffered to the foliage and young twigs and the general tendency to overthinning in the sprayed plot, the risk entailed in applying this spray did not justify the results. Although no serious damage or loss of crop resulted, it could easily have occurred had there been a slight worsening of climatic conditions at or just after the test." HH 38 BRITISH COLUMBIA WEED-CONTROL Chemical Weed-control in Cranberries Chemical weed-control work was carried out by G. R. Thorpe on cranberries and he reports as follows:— " Observations were made at the Northern Peat Company in Richmond on several weed-control tests run in a cranberry-bog. The prime reason for this study was to determine the effect of herbicides on the cranberries. The summary of the results are recorded in the following table:— Treatment Weed-control Effect on Cranberries 2,4-D amine- Shell No. 1 plus stove oil Iron sulphate..... „ Iron sulphate and salt DN general (55%). T.C.A 1 pt./Ac 2 pt./Ac— i-9, 80 gal./Ac. 20 lb./sq. rod- 1-9- C.M.U.. I.P.C.— 1 pt./100gal.. 1 qt./lOO gal.. 200 lb./Ac 1501b./Ac lOOIb./Ac 3 lb./Ac — 5-6 lb./Ac 6 lb./Ac. Copper sulphate.. 20 lb./lOO gal.. 15 lb./lOO gal- Art/ Nil Good- Fair to good for sheep's sorrel Good Poor Poor Good Good. Good — Retarded — Retarded Poor Moss, good Moss, good Nil. Nil. Spring and fall applications, nil; summer applications caused damage. Damaged young plants. Heavy kill, used as spot treatment for sheep's sorrel. Serious damage. 100% defoliation. Heavy damage. Heavy damage. Delayed growth 3-4 weeks. Defoliated. Killed. Nil. Defoliated. Light defoliation." Chemical Weed-control in Strawberries Several large acreages of strawberries were sprayed by G. R. Thorpe during early January of 1955 for weed-control. He reports as follows:— " The strawberries were not considered to be truly dormant and the weeds concerned were mainly rye-grass and chickweed. In most patches the grass was 6 inches or more in height. " The following table records the materials used, the amounts, the weed-control, and the effect on the strawberries:— Treatment Amount Weed-control Effect on Strawberry I.P.C 9 lb./ac.—50 gal. at 70 lb. pressure 8 lb./ac—80 gal. at 200 lb. pressure 6 lb. plus 3 lb.—50 gal. at 70 lb. pressure.- 6 lb. plus 3 lb.—50 gal. at 70 lb. pressure... 8 lb. plus 3 lb.—80 gal. at 200 lb. pressure Fair Good _ Fair Good Good I.P.C. I.P.C. plus DN amine I.P.C. plus DN amine I.P.C. plus DN amine— Nil; weeds heavy. Nil; weeds light. Damage; weeds heavy. "Results: Where grass and chickweed are the main weed problem, I.P.C. alone appears to be sufficient. The combination of I.P.C. and DN amine may be required where other broad-leaved weeds are a problem, but there appears to be more danger of strawberry injury with this control. " If the fall is mild, weed-growth by January is very heavy. Weed-control treatments would be more effective if they could be applied earlier. Tests must be run to determine how early in the winter or late fall these may be applied without causing injury to the strawberry. " One trial was applied this fall, on November 1st, 1955, on British Sovereign and Marshall strawberries. I.P.C. at 6 pounds per acre was used. No results will be available, since the November 11th freeze has destroyed both crop and weeds." department of agriculture, 1955 hh 39 Weed-control in Asparagus The weed-control plots in asparagus were continued this season. These plots are under the care of M. G. Oswell, of the Vernon office, and a progress report of his work is as follows:— " For the past two seasons the British Columbia Department of Agriculture has been carrying out tests with various herbicides on controlling annual weeds in asparagus. To date the results have been encouraging but not final. " The weed-control plots were set out in April, 1954, as a result of requests from growers for a satisfactory herbicide to control weeds in asparagus. The two annual weeds red-rooted pigweed (Amaranthus rectroflexus) and lamb's-quarter (Chenopodium album) are the most troublesome. These weeds, if left unchecked, will develop to 12 or more inches in height, making picking extremely difficult. Canada thistle, milkweed, and grasses appear in some fields. Our tests, however, are concerned with the annual weeds, which are troublesome in all fields. " These tests have been carried out during the past two seasons on two different locations. A total of nine herbicides have been tested, replicated three times in plots of 400 square feet. In both cases established plantings of Mary Washington were used. " The materials were applied as pre-emergence sprays, with the exception of Aero- cyanamid and High Test Cyanamid which were applied in dust form. The land was cultivated immediately before treatment and no weeds or asparagus shoots were showing. Materials were applied with a knapsack sprayer applying approximately 2 imperial gallons per 100 square feet. " Results: Visual checks were made at weekly intervals during the picking season. Various methods of assessing the plots were tried, and finally this year it was decided to score the plots on a basis of points, a score of 5 designating excellent control and 0 no control. When assessing the plots it was found that although many weeds grew to a height of 2 or 3 inches and were stunted and deformed, this did not interfere with the picking. In such cases reasonable weed-control was obtained from the herbicide involved. " In the 1954 tests Alanap-1 showed up as the best material, followed closely by 2,4-D (Amine) and Crag Herbicide-1. This past season Aero-cyanamid, High Test Cyanamid, and Alanap-3 gave the best control. No yield records were kept on the plots, but the growers did not report any damage to the plants or visual effect on yields. " The results obtained this year seem to be a complete reversal from that obtained last year. The action of Aero-cyanamid can be explained by the increased amount used. The reaction of the other materials is hard to understand in view of the fact that rates had been increased because of a heavier soil type. Weather conditions could be part of the answer. After application of the materials, no rain fell for a three-week period and the ground became extremely dry. Weed-growth started a week or ten days later. Last year considerable moisture fell during April and May. This year's dry weather is possibly the exception, as in a normal year rainfall can be expected during those months. Another possibility has been raised by the fact that the Alanap-1 was 3-year-old material. It has been suggested that the material may break down after a year or so. This possibility was checked with the representatives of the company involved, who claimed that the material would still be effective in three years. " Further tests will have to be undertaken before any firm recommendations can be made. Limited trials by growers using either formulation or Alanap will be carried out next season. HH 40 BRITISH COLUMBIA " Results obtained in 1954 and 1955 are as follows:— Material 1954 1955 Aero-cyanamid (special grade) 0 4+ Alanap-1 4+ 0 Alanap-3 4+ Crag Herbicide-1 3 0 Karmex 80% CMU 3 Dow MCP (amine) 1 DNBP (amine) 2 0 2,4-D (amine) 3+ 2 High Test Cyanamid— (a) 1 (b) 1 (c) 2 (d) 3 (e) 4 Check 0 0 "Note.—0 designates no control; 1 designates poor control; 2 designates fair control; 3 designates fairly good control; 4 designates good control; 5 designates complete control." Hoary Cress Other weed-control work started in 1954 is being continued for the control of hoary cress, a weed that is becoming quite a serious pest in the Okanagan Valley. Some interesting controls are reported by E. M. King and W. F. Morton, of Kelowna, and also by W. T. Baverstock and M. G. Oswell, of the Vernon office, and using the following four materials. These trials also include orchard lands to determine the effect of the weedicides on fruit-trees. (1) DB Spray (59.5% B2Os plus 7% 2,4-D). (2) DB Granular (40.9% B203 plus 7% 2,4-D). (3) Polybor Chlorate (49% B2Oa plus 25% NaCL03). (4) Borascu (61.5% B203). Method: Twelve plots, each measuring 100 square feet, were set out and materials were applied on October 26th, 1954. All materials except DB Granular were applied as sprays. Rates of application were as follows:— Amount per Plot Lb. Lb. Lb. DB Spray 1 2 3 DB Granular 1 2 3 Polybor Chlorate 2 3 4 Concentrated Borascu 5 6 7 Results: (1) DB Spray gave 100 per cent control of hoary cress at all concentrations used. Grasses survived the treatment at the 1-pound rate, but not at higher concentrations. (2) DB Granular gave 100 per cent control at the 3-pound rate. A few plants of hoary cress survived at the 1- and 2-pound rates. Grass survival was good at all rates. (3) Polybor Chlorate gave only fair control at all rates used. The hoary cress was greatly stunted and weakened, but there was 40 per cent survival at the 4-pound rate, 55 per cent survival at the 3-pound rate, and 60 per cent survival at the 2-pound rate. (4) Borascu failed to control hoary cress at any of the concentrations used. Weeds were only slightly weakened by these treatments. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 41 Couch-grass Trials for the control of couch-grass in orchards are being carried out by A. W. Watt and M. G. Oswell, using Dalapan and amino triazole. So far the results are rather encouraging, but further work is necessary before any conclusions can be arrived at. NON-VENTILATED STORAGE-PITS There is a pressing need for a cheap and simple method of storing such root-crops as carrots, parsnips, beets, and turnips on the farm. At the present time there is a tendency to ship this type of produce before the cold weather sets in, quite often resulting in a glut and later on a shortage to be filled by imported produce. To overcome this situation, trials with non-ventilated pits have been started by J. L. Webster and G. R. Thorpe, with the following results to date. The work was done on the farm of H. Kelly, East Delta, Ladner, who kindly provided the material and did the pitting. Procedure: This grower pitted approximately 20 tons of Nantes carrots commencing November 2nd. He also pitted a small tonnage of parsnips. The roots were placed on top of the ground to a depth of 14 inches (a section was pitted to a depth of 10 inches). The pits ran north and south and were lightly covered with soil about November 8th. A soil thermometer was set in the pit and readings were taken each day and during the record November freeze. The soil was a silty clay loam. Object: The object was to keep the roots until February or March and to evaluate different depths of roots and different depths of soil coverage. The record freeze of November 11th to 14th spoiled the experiment. Observation: Thirty to forty per cent of the carrots on the east side of the pit were frozen during the record weather which prevailed November 11th to 14th. The east side of the pits were affected because of the 30-miIe-per-hour wind from that direction. The grower opened the pit on December 10th and sorted and salvaged the remainder of the carrots. Some parsnips on the east side of the pit were also frozen, but their percentage was not as high as with carrots. Three more pits for parsnips were constructed from December 5th to 10th. They were constructed running east and west, and were covered with about 4 inches of soil. Conclusion: That more soil—up to 4 inches at least—should be applied to pits immediately there is any danger of a sudden freeze. Mr. Kelly reported that the carrots taken from the pits washed well, and were well received on the market. Parsnips also washed well, and it is therefore hoped that the tonnage of parsnips he now has in the pits will keep well and wash cleanly when put on the market in January and February. NEWS LETTER, BROADCASTS, CROP REPORTS The Horticultural News Letter is issued bi-monthly from May through September. All the horticultural offices co-operate in reporting conditions, fruit- and vegetable-crop estimates, etc. The News Letter is compiled in the Kelowna office, under the direction of the Supervising Horticulturist. The annual series of growers' meetings was held as usual at thirty-four points in the Okanagan with 1,973 growers attending. Fruit- and vegetable-crop estimates and final production figures were compiled and forwarded to the Statistics Branch. Through the co-operation of B.C. Tree Fruits, the British Columbia Fruit Growers' Association, and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, excellent radio coverage is given the fruit-growers on such problems as spraying, irrigation, maturity, and harvesting HH 42 BRITISH COLUMBIA during the season. Broadcasts are made over the three Okanagan stations and the regular farm broadcast each Thursday over the C.B.C. network. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Your Horticulturist wishes to acknowledge with deep appreciation the help and co-operation of the Horticultural Branch staff, the other Department members, the Canada Department of Agriculture, the University of British Columbia, and the various growers' organizations throughout the Province. REPORT OF PLANT PATHOLOGY BRANCH W. R. Foster, M.Sc. In general the loss from plant diseases was slight. It was much less than it has been for many years. The following diseases caused severe losses in some localities: Apple- scab and little-cherry in the Kootenays, Arrow Lakes, and Creston, and powdery mildew of cherry in a few orchards in the Southern Okanagan; moderate damage was caused by such diseases as club-root of crucifers in the Lower Fraser Valley, red-stele of strawberries at the Coast, root-lesion nematodes in strawberries in the Fraser Valley, and angular leaf-spot of cucumbers in the Westbank and Osoyoos areas; verticillium wilt of stone fruits appeared to be much less than in the previous three or four years; snow-mould of wheat and grasses caused practically no damage in the Cariboo—much less than it has for a considerable number of years. Karathane appears to be the most promising of the newer fungicides in the control of powdery mildew in the Jonathan variety of apples. Zineb (Dithane Z-78) continues to appear to give good control of downy mildew of onions. SCAB OF APPLES Okanagan The amount of apple-scab in the Okanagan was slight, less than there has been for a considerable number of years and much less than in 1954. The clean fruit-crop was due to a thorough spray programme and improved weather conditions during August and September. Kootenays, Arrow Lakes, and Creston The amount of apple-scab in the Kootenays was high. It was favoured by the wet weather in the spring and early summer. The amount of this disease was greater than in the previous year. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 43 The recommended spray schedule for 1956 in the worst areas for apple-scab—the Kootenays, Arrow Lakes, and Creston—is as follows:— Materials to Use (For new materials see Note 3.) Amount to Use Time to Spray (See Note 1.) Dilute Spray (per 100 Gal.) Concentrate Spray (per Acre) 2 gal. 2 gal. 2 gal. lib. 3 1b. lib. 31b. lib. 8 gal. Pink 8 gal. 8 gal. Calyx 51b. 15 lb. 51b. Wettable sulphur — Ziram.— _ 15 1b. 51b. Notes.—1. The above spray schedule will provide good control of apple-scab during a season of normal weather conditions. However, additional sprays may be required under the following conditions:— (a) If cool, wet weather previous to or during bloom prolongs the interval between sprays beyond seven days. (b) If the spray deposit is reduced by heavy washing rains. (c) If a prolonged rainy period is forecast. A delayed dormant (green tip) spray and (or) a third cover spray also may be necessary. If these sprays are considered necessary, notification will be given by radio and press release. 2. Before using lime-sulphur, be sure to test the clear liquid with a hydrometer and then refer to a lime-sulphur dilution table for amount to use. 3. Maneb has given superior apple-scab control on Mcintosh and Delicious in the Kootenays during the past three years. Maneb may be used in combination with wettable sulphur as a substitute for and at the same rate as Ferbam or Ziram in the above schedule or may be used alone at the rate of 10 pounds per acre in concentrate sprays or 2 pounds per 100 gallons in dilute sprays. Maneb, if applied several times, will control all orchard mites except the clover mite. (Caution.—Maneb has caused severe leaf-scorching when applied to Rome Beauty, Wagener, and Cox's Orange.) Plots at Creston A demonstration to evaluate some of the newer fungicides in preventing apple-scab was carried out by J. E. Swales, District Horticulturist, Creston, in co-operation with Dr. D. L. Mcintosh, Canada Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Summerland. There were eight applications made in the different stages at the following rates:— Materials Applied 1. Check (no treatment). Pounds per Acre 2. Maneb . 3. Manam 4. Maneb . 5. Phygon XL (first four sprays)_ 10 7 7 2} Maneb (three cover sprays) 7( 6. Maneb 5 7. Maneb plus Triton B1956 5 8. Maneb 5} Wettable sulphur 15^ Percentage of Scabby Fruit 100.0 38.2 65.7 43.4 56.3 59.4 59.9 40.8 Maneb at 10 pounds per acre and Maneb at 5 pounds plus wettable sulphur at 15 pounds per acre gave the best control. Plots at Sunshine Bay For the second year a demonstration has been carried on by J. E. Swales, District Horticulturist, Creston, in co-operation with the Canada Entomological Laboratory, Summerland, to determine the effect of adding non-ionic surfactants to fungicides in the prevention of apple-scab. These sprays were applied with a Turbo-mist automatic concentrate sprayer in two orchards at Sunshine Bay in the following stages: (1) Early pre-pink, (2) pink, (3) 10 to 50 per cent of the bloom, (4) calyx, and (5) first, second, and third cover. HH 44 BRITISH COLUMBIA The results shown in the following table indicate that the addition of non-ionic surfactants to concentrate fungicidal sprays increases their efficiency in controlling apple- scab. The non-ionic surfactant appears to have greater effect upon the sprays as the rate of spray application is reduced; for example, at the 75-gallon-per-acre rate, the addition of a surfactant improved scab-control by an average of 8 per cent, while at the 50-gallon- per-acre rate, scab-control improved by an average of 28 per cent. The fungicides used were the same for all of the sprayed plots, and were applied to all sprayed plots as follows:— Rate per Fungicide Acre Time of Application Lime-sulphur 8 gal. Early pre-pink, pink, 10%-50% bloom, late calyx. Ferbam 5 lb.) First and second cover sprays. Plus wettable sulphur 15 lb. \ Ziram 5 lb. Third cover. The effect of adding a non-ionic surfactant, at the rate of 50 and 75 gallons per acre, on the percentage of apple-scab in the two orchards at Sunshine Bay, was as follows:— Rate per Acre Percentage of Treatment (Gal.) Scabby Fruit Check (no spray) 100.00 Fungicide 75 31.00 Fungicide plus Triton B1956 75 23.00 Fungicide 50 54.00 Fungicide plus Triton B1956 50 26.00 BACTERIAL RING-ROT OF POTATOES The Province continues to have only a slight amount of bacterial ring-rot of potatoes. This disease was detected in slight amounts in the crops of twelve growers—four from the 1954 crop and eight from the 1955 crop. Two potato-crops entered for certification were also rejected due to ring-rot. In May a trace of this disease was found in certified Warbas at Armstrong. The inspection of approximately 9,500 tons of potatoes imported into the Fraser Valley revealed about 71 tons with a trace of ring-rot. Twenty-four tons out of the 71 tons were returned to the place of origin. The source of infection of most of the ring-rot in British Columbia this year was traced back to imported certified seed. Imported certified seed has been responsible for introducing more ring-rot into British Columbia than any other source of infection. Ring-rot was also found in the potatoes of one gardener who had planted eyes from certified seed imported from Manitoba. NEMATODES Plant parasitic nematodes are apparently becoming increasingly important in this Province. Root-lesion nematodes have been found in a number of strawberry-fields at the Coast. A new regulation for strawberry certification was inaugurated. Plants must now be apparently free of parasitic nematodes. STRAWBERRY-PLANT CERTIFICATION This project is carried out with the co-operation of G. E. W. Clarke, Supervising Horticulturist, Abbotsford, and A. E. Littler, District Horticulturist, Victoria. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 45 Approximately 2,500,000 British Sovereign strawberry plants were certified, and 300,000 Northwest strawberry plants were approved. The demand for certified plants was greater than the supply. Certified plants are now inspected for apparent freedom from parasitic nematodes. CALIFORNIA SEED-POTATO TEST-PLOTS The value of the California seed-potato tests was evident again this year. The tests gave advance notice that one of the main certified-seed growing areas had far too much leaf-roll. Fortunately, many in this district took advantage of this early warning and made a concerted effort to reduce this threat to their seed industry. REPORT OF PROVINCIAL ENTOMOLOGIST C. L. Neilson, M.S., Entomologist, Vernon The year 1955 was not unlike 1954 in that there were no major insect outbreaks. However, insects continued to be sufficiently numerous that preventive or control measures were necessary on many crops, products, and animals in every section of British Columbia. Highlights in economic entomology in British Columbia during the year were as follows:— (1) Severe damage to some strawberry acreage on Vancouver Island by aphids, and general increase in mites on both strawberries and cane- fruits, particularly raspberries. (2) Increased resistance to organic phosphates by certain mites on fruit-trees in the Okanagan. (3) Evidence of continued failure of soil insecticides on high organic-content soils. (4) Removal of the Dominion Biological Insect Control Laboratory from the University of British Columbia to Belleville, Ont., and the establishment of a Vegetable Insect Laboratory at the University of British Columbia with Dr. H. R. McCarthy as head. (5) Revision of the Small-fruit Insect Calendar. (6) The establishment of the spinose ear-tick as a pest of cattle in British Columbia. FIELD-CROP AND VEGETABLE INSECTS Field-crop and vegetable insect infestations were about normal. As forecast, grasshopper infestations continued their downward trend, and were generally at a low ebb. Grasshopper-control zones were in force, but very little control was needed. Cutworms were a problem in local areas in the spring, with perhaps the heaviest infestation in watermelon seedlings near Armstrong on the Grandview Flats. Control of tuber flea- beetle was continued throughout both coastal British Columbia and the Interior. Aphids on potatoes were not as serious in 1955 as in 1954. However, aphid populations were sufficiently high in peas and celery in the Fraser Valley to warrant continued treatment throughout the season. The green peach-aphid was again present on pole beans in the Kelowna-Vernon area but reduced from 1954, with a consequent reduction in the loss from bean mosaic. Carrot rust-fly damage was confined largely to that caused by second- generation flies, hence many of the early crops escaped infestation. Onion thrip and maggot infestations were normal, with an ever-decreasing loss from maggot due to wider application of proper controls. Brown wheat-mite damaged onions in the Kelowna area. HH 46 BRITISH COLUMBIA Damage from turnip-maggot continued, particularly in the Fraser Valley on peaty soils, where recommended treatments are not giving satisfaction. However, on Vancouver Island and in the Interior of British Columbia present controls are adequate and are encouraging the growing of turnips again. Root-maggots on other brassicas were unusually abundant in coastal areas. The imported cabbage-worm caused considerable trouble in both coastal areas and the Okanagan. Other vegetable pests, such as flea-beetles, worms, and caterpillars, required normal treatment. Wireworms continue to be one of our pests which require additional attention. This is particularly true in potato areas such as Ladner, Lulu Island, and other areas in the Fraser Valley, Central British Columbia, and in grain in the Peace River. Wheat-midge damage was again present in the North Okanagan, and a report of a heavy infestation came from Revelstoke. Several species of slugs were particularly abundant in the Fraser Valley, where they damaged corn, pasture, and vegetables. Other inquiries included tomato fruit-worm, roundworms, hawk-moths, corn ear-worm, white grubs, pea-weevil, Collembola, and nematodes. ORCHARD INSECTS Orchard insects required the usual attention. Of particular interest was a noticeable increase of European red-mite on all varieties of tree-fruit. Its resistance to organic phosphates appears to have increased, and the area reporting this resistance also has increased during 1955. The following pests were of concern in the degree noted:— (a) The same level as 1954: Apple-aphid, rosy apple-aphid, fruit-tree leaf- roller, peach twig-borer, peach tree-borer, California pear-slug, buffalo tree-hopper, lygus, woolly aphids, pear leaf-worm, tent-caterpillars, cherry fruit-fly (Vancouver Island). (b) Less than in 1954: Clover-mite in trees, yellow spider-mite, black cherry- aphid, green peach-aphid, European earwig, grasshoppers, pear-psylla, San Jose scale, cherry fruit-worm, European fruit-scale. (c) More prevalent than in 1954: Codling-moth, European red-mite, clover- mite on grasses, two-spotted mite, Pacific mite, rust-mite, pear-leaf blister- mite, eye-spotted bud-moth, mealy plum-aphid, cutworms, oyster-shell scale, soft scales, cherry fruit-fly (Creston), thrips, yellow-necked caterpillar. SMALL-FRUIT INSECTS There was a normal incidence of insects attacking small fruits throughout the Province. Root-weevils continued as one of the major pests of strawberries, but they also attacked cane-fruit and cranberries. Two-spotted mites were generally more numerous on strawberries and raspberries. A control test was started at Salmon Arm to compare Aramite and Malathion on clipped and undipped plants. Aphids, likely the " shallot aphid," severely damaged strawberry plantings in Saanich, but were present in lesser numbers over most of Vancouver Island and the Fraser Valley. Infestations of cane- borer, root-borer, and raspberry fruit-worm were normal. The leaf-hopper Macropsis fusculata, in addition to being present on Lulu Island on loganberries, was recorded for the first time from Southern Vancouver Island and in the vicinity of Coquitlam. The black-headed fire-worm on cranberries on Lulu Island required treatment. The gooseberry sawfly occurred in numbers from the Fraser Valley to Cranbrook, and currant- aphids were abundant in backyard plantings. FLOWERS AND SHRUBS The following pests were reported as causing economic damage: Narcissus bulb-fly, aphids, weevils, azalea leaf-miner, two-spotted mites, holly leaf-miner, holly bud-moth, orange tortrix on holly. Other local infestations were reported as follows: Lecanium I DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 47 scale on juniper, cedar, and rose; two-spotted mite on cypress, violets, and primula; thrips on primula and chysanthemum; rose leaf-hoppers, rose-weevils, tulip aphids, Virginia creeper leaf-hoppers, juniper scale, pine-needle scale, spruce gall-aphids; aphids on many trees and flowers; lygus, dew-worms (lawns), ants, pea willow-gall, poplar leaf- miner, and satin-moth. LIVE-STOCK PESTS Warbles continued as one of the major pests of cattle in the Fraser Valley, Interior British Columbia, and the south-eastern section of the Province. Range cattle constitute the main problem owing to the difficulty of adequate spray treatment. The paralysis tick was more prevalent in the Kamloops and Merritt districts than during past years, and necessitated treatments of many cattle and sheep. The spinose ear-tick was proven as the causative agent in the death of cattle near Adams Lake. A joint survey between the Dominion Veterinary Insect Laboratory, Kamloops, and the Provincial Game Department was undertaken to determine the degree of incidence of this tick in wild animals. Initial reports indicate a wide distribution and a fairly high incidence of occurrence in deer and elk. A blackfly-control programme was carried out in the Cherryville district. Repeated stream treatments were necessary due to reinfestation from untreated portions of streams which were not readily accessible on foot. A mosquito-control school was conducted jointly with the Dominion Livestock Insect Laboratory, Kamloops. Twenty- four attended and represented communities and National parks from Prince George to the International Boundary to Alberta. Miscellaneous inquiries included lice, sheep-ked, poultry-mites, fleas, cuterbrids, winter ticks, myiasis maggots, house and stable flies. HOUSEHOLD PESTS The two main household pests continue to be carpet-beetles and clothes moths. The incidence of termite infestations in older buildings appears to be increasing in coastal British Columbia. Other inquiries included bedbugs, bat-bugs, larder-beetles, ants, lesser house-fly, mosquitoes, earwigs, wasps, hornets, flat-headed borer in flooring, Australian spider-beetle, Coast tick, paralysis tick, carpenter-ants, clover-mites, granary-weevil, and saw-tooth grain-beetle. EXTENSION AND PUBLICATIONS Radio broadcasts were made over CKOV, CJIB, C.B.C. farm broadcasts, and CBUT television. Newspaper articles were released to Vernon News and Country Life. The following publications were prepared for release:— (1) Pine Needle Scale Control, jointly with M. D. Proverbs. (2) Livestock Pests, jointly with J. D. Gregson. (3) Holly Insects, jointly with H. Andison. (4) Handbook of the Economic Insects of British Columbia—Part II. (5) Insects of the Season of British Columbia. Talks on insect-control were given at Hey wood Corner, Mount Ida, Kamloops (two), Vernon (three), Cherryville, British Columbia Agronomy Conference, Sidney, Parksville, Cloverdale, Abbotsford, Vancouver, Kelowna, Grand Forks, Salmon Arm, and Summer- land. The following conferences were attended: Pacific Northwest Vegetable Insect Conference, Entomological Society of British Columbia, British Columbia Agronomy Conference, H.E.P.P., Kamloops Fat Stock Show, Western Co-operative Spray Project, and Potato Field-day at Boundary. ACKNOWLEDGMENT The excellent co-operation of other Provincial departments of agriculture is hereby acknowledged, as is the co-operation of all officers of the Canada Department of Agriculture, Entomology Division, especially those in British Columbia. HH 48 BRITISH COLUMBIA REPORT OF APIARY BRANCH J. Corner, Provincial Apiarist, Vernon Honey production, like most agricultural crops, is dependent on weather. Weather conditions and prevailing temperatures have a profound effect on colony development during winter, spring, summer, and fall. The winter of 1954-55 was very mild until March. Abnormal quantities of stores were consumed, and brood-rearing was commenced at a time when colonies should have been resting. March turned very cold, and feeding colonies in need of stores was impossible. A cold, backward spring and early summer, together with the short hot period during late July and August, had a detrimental effect on pollination and reduced nectar secretion in most honey plants. Altogether the effects of weather during 1955 resulted in a 15-per-cent mortality of overwintered colonies as well as a 20-per-cent reduction in the average honey-crop for British Columbia of 1,100,000 pounds. Total honey-crop for 1955 was 970,138 pounds. The average colony production was below normal in most of the Province. A shortage of pollen was noted in some areas, particularly where alfalfa was the main source of food. As a result, some work is being done with a beekeeper co-operator in the Armstrong district. One group of colonies will be fed collected pollen and soya flour; another group will receive a formula consisting of soya flour and brewers' yeast; and the third will be a check group. Swarming was no problem. Failing queens were noted in many areas, no doubt due to cool weather conditions which prevailed during the mating season. MARKETING Marketing conditions have never been better. Packing plants in British Columbia are offering between 16Vi cents and 16% cents per pound in their containers. Many of the commercial beekeepers in British Columbia still prefer to market their own honey, and prices continue to vary from 21 cents to 35 cents in small containers. Commercial beekeepers are showing a great deal of interest in creamed honey, and there is at present a variety of equipment being used to prepare this product. The liquid pack, which has always been favoured by British Columbia honey-producers, is losing in favour to creamed honey. INSPECTION Inspection during 1955 was concentrated on Penticton, Vancouver Island, Fraser Valley, the Kootenay and Grand Forks district. Routine inspection was carried out in most other districts. Additional inspection work must be done in Kelowna, Westbank, Penticton, and in the area from Grand Forks to Nelson . The inspection staff consisted of V. E. Thorgeirson, G. V. Wilkinson, J. Baynes, and, to a lesser extent, H. Boone, J. Drinkwater, and I. Holder. Old Diseased Beekeeping Equipment Located and Destroyed by Burning District Supers Burned Value of Each Drawn Combs Burned Value of Each Total Value Scorched Supers Bottoms Tops 12 181 13 4 15 88 580 150 1,200 280 1,670 140 68 20 177 863 $0.30 .30 .30 .30 .30 .30 .30 .30 .30 .30 $174.00 45.00 360.00 84.00 501.00 42.00 20.40 6.00 53.10 258.90 28 3 120 28 2 66 34 7 2 30 7 1 16 30 7 $1.00 2 30 7 Penticton 1.00 1.00 Kelowna „ 1 Vancouver 1.00 1.00 1.00 17 13 Totals 313 $313.00 5,148 | $1,544.40 281 93 77 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 49 Value of Live Colonies Infected with American Foul-brood and Which Were Burned in Accordance with the "Apiaries Act" Total colonies burned 139 Average value per hive $20.00 Total value $2,780.00 DISEASE-CONTROL This office received fifty-six samples of brood comb and smears. These were analysed and forty-nine showed positive infection by American foul-brood {Bacillus larva;). Two samples were forwarded to the Central Experimental Farm at Ottawa for analysis of European foul-brood (Bacillus alvei, Bacillus pluton). Field tests with the dusting and spraying of drugs (sulphadiazine, sulphathiazole, and sulphamethazine) are being carried out at Vernon. Type of Disease A.F.B. E.F.B. Nosema Others 7 1 6 53 3 2 6 29 32 (2) O) (l) (*) f1) South Okanagan - Similkameen - Total 139 1 Nosema present but not severe. 2 E.F.B. was not as severe in the Peace River District this year. One case located in Vanderhoof. INSECTICIDE AND HERBICIDE POISONING There were a few reports of insecticide poisoning of honeybees. Seven samples of dead adult honeybee workers were received at the office for analysis. The analysing of such samples is a complicated process, and, among other things, it is of the utmost importance to mail at least 100 bees, and to state what specific poison is suspected of causing the colony mortality. This analysis is done at Science Service laboratories at Ottawa. POLLINATION Rental of Colonies by Growers for Pollination District Crop Colonies Employed, No Rental Fee Indicated Colonies Employed, Rental Fee Rental Charged per Colony Total 30 250 162 27 50 39 30 16 650 8 15 32 17 $2.00 5.00 6.00 3.00 $16.00 75 00 192 00 51 00 Fruit (small) Tomatoes, cucumbers, bitter melon Fruit Shuswap Peace River Sweet clover, alfalfa, altaswede— Totals 1,254 72 $334.00 HH 50 BRITISH COLUMBIA Survey of Cucumber Pollination, Greater Victoria, 1955 No. Number of Greenhouses Size Number of Hives Used Estimated Crop,1955 Are Bees Used for Other Crops? Total Number of Hives in Use 1 2 i 1 1 2 2 3 2 2 2 (2) 30 x 140 30 x 100 30 x 140 30 x 200 30 x 200 30 x 200 30 x 150 30 x 150 30x150 1 5 1 1 2 2 4 2 1 2 5 Doz. O) 600 5,000 O) 4,000 1,600 1,800 1,300 (!) No No No No No No No Bitter melon Bitter melon 5 2 3 _ 4 5 _ 2 7 4 6 7 8 _ - 2 5 7 9 5 1 No estimate. - Interspersed with tomatoes. BULLETINS AND PUBLICATIONS Circular No. 10, entitled "Beehive Construction for Beginners," was revised and reprinted. Two circulars are at present in the hands of the printers. These are: Circular No. 11, "Wintering Bees in British Columbia," and Circular No. 13, "The Use of Drugs and Antibiotics in Controlling Bee Diseases." Circular No. 12, "Package Bees," is nearly completed, and a publication on "Beekeeping in British Columbia " is being written. The Agricultural Engineering Division has continued work on honey-house plans. It is much more economical and practical to revise and reprint small publications in the form of circulars. Publications dealing entirely with specific subjects are being written as time permits. Four issues of Bee Wise were published and distributed. EXTENSION All beekeepers are anxious to learn more about the most modern techniques in beekeeping. Short courses consisting of four evenings of lectures were held in Victoria, New Westminster, and Abbotsford. A one-day meeting was held at the latter point. The Supervising Agriculturist and District Agriculturists attended from Vancouver Island and the Fraser Valley. A beemasters' course on beekeeping was held at the University of British Columbia, and twenty-six beekeepers attended. Twenty-three wrote the beemasters' examination, and twenty were successful and have been presented with certificates. A continuous-flow extracting, heating, and straining unit is being installed in the honey-house of L. Fuhr in Vernon, and certain experimental work is being carried out there. This will provide assistance to all commercial beekeepers by demonstrating methods and techniques, as well as the operating efficiency of new types of honey-house equipment. Office correspondence over the year has consisted of 1,518 letters in and 2,707 letters out. MEETINGS Members of the Apiary Branch attended a total of thirty-seven beekeepers' meetings throughout the year, including fourteen field-days, at which lectures and demonstrations were given by members of the Branch. Honey judges were provided for two exhibits and five fairs. Seven radio broadcasts on beekeeping were given. There was a large volume DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 51 of telephone calls and a steady volume of visitors from all parts of the Province and Canada, as well as the United States. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I wish to thank all Supervising and District Agriculturists for their co-operation, and also Dr. Blythe Eagles, of the Faculty of Agriculture, and Dr. J. K. Friesen, Director of the Department of University Extension, for their assistance in making our beemasters' short course such a success. HONEY-CROP REPORT, 1955 District Beekeepers Colonies Crop Average Vancouver _ 150 154 257 445 843 59 382 437 1,001 1,477 6,453 3,000 Lb. 6,876 10,051 44,044 42,833 503,334 363,000 18 23 44 29 78 120 Totals. 1,908 12,750 970,138 Value to producers of 970,138 pounds of honey at 21 cents per pound (wholesale), $203,728.98; 9,800 pounds of beeswax at 50 cents per pound, $4,900. REPORT OF LIVE STOCK BRANCH Wallace R. Gunn, B.V.Sc, B.S.A., V.S., Live Stock Commissioner and Chief Veterinary Inspector HORSES The situation within this branch of the live-stock industry has not changed. Stallion enrolments for the year 1955, compared with 1953 and 1954, were as follows:— 1953 1954 1955 A, 1; B, 3; C, 0; D, 3; E, 26; F, 3; total, 36. A, 4; B, 2; C, 1; D, 1; E, 21; F, 11; total, 40. A, 4; B, 1; C, 1; D, 2; E, 19; F, 14; total, 41. BEEF CATTLE For inspected slaughterings of cattle and calves, see Appendix No. 2. For beef carcasses graded in British Columbia, see Appendix No. 3. For average prices of cattle, see Appendix No. 4. BULL-TESTING Bull-testing was restricted to the completion of field tests at the Dominion Range Station, Kamloops. An all-Canada conference was held in Regina on October 4th and 5th to discuss the whole matter of sire-testing. In all likelihood a long-term plan will be developed. BULL-CONTROL AREAS This very excellent policy is accomplishing much for the improvement of the beef- cattle industry. New areas are coming in and more are due shortly. HH 52 BRITISH COLUMBIA SALES AND SHOW RESULTS The summarized reports of sales in British Columbia during the year 1955 are shown in Appendix No. 7. PROVINCIAL BULL SALE AND FAT STOCK SHOW, MARCH 7th TO 10th, 1955 Total head, 366. Car-lot of fifteen steers, heavy class: Haughton Brothers, Kamloops. Car-lot of fifteen steers, light class: Douglas Lake Cattle Company, Douglas Lake. Champion car-lot: Douglas Lake Cattle Company, Douglas Lake. Reserve champion car-lot: Haughton Brothers, Kamloops. Group of five steers, heavy class: Earlscourt Farms Limited, Lytton. Group of five steers, light class: Haughton Brothers, Kamloops. Champion group of five steers: Haughton Brothers, Kamloops. Reserve champion group of five steers: Earlscourt Farms Limited, Lytton. Single steer or heifer, 1,120 to 1,060 pounds: Earlscourt Farms Limited, Lytton. Single steer or heifer, 1,050 to 1,030 pounds: Len Wood & Son, Armstrong. Single steer or heifer, 970 to 950 pounds: L. V. Shannon, Knutsford. Single steer or heifer, 930 to 770 pounds: Cliff D. Clement, Kelowna. Single steer or heifer, 740 to 600 pounds: Oliver N. Wells, Sardis. Champion animal of the open singles: Len Wood & Son, Armstrong. Reserve champion animal of the open singles: L. V. Shannon, Knutsford. Boys' and girls' competition, single steer or heifer, heavy class: Dennis Lyster, Armstrong. Boys' and girls' competition, single steer or heifer, light class: Patsy Hall, Kamloops. New exhibitors drawn from above two classes: Bill Freding, Princeton. Champion animal of the boys' and girls' competition: Dennis Lyster, Armstrong. Reserve champion animal of the boys' and girls' competition: Katie Davidson, Kamloops. Grand champion animal of the show: Len Wood & Son, Armstrong. Reserve grand champion animal of the show: L. V. Shannon, Knutsford. DAIRY CATTLE AND DAIRYING The quality of the dairy cattle in the Province continues to improve. The influence of our dairy-herd improvement work is apparent. Dairy calf and heifer placements continue to be made into the Interior. This young stock has high production backing and is disease-free. Most of this stock comes from D.H.I.A. herds. DAIRY-HERD IMPROVEMENT The following is the report of J. A. Mace, Superintendent of Dairy Herd Improvement Services:— " The demand for this service continues at a high rate. Two new routes were put into operation during the year—one at Agassiz on January 1st, as a second route to the Dewdney-Deroche Association, and one at Salmon Arm on October 1st, as a second route to the Salmon Arm-North Okanagan Association. This makes twenty-three routes in fourteen associations, with 14,000 cows under test in 530 herds. All routes have a full complement of members and are operating efficiently. A waiting-list of approximately fifty herds would indicate the desirability of some further expansion during 1956. Attached in appendix form is a list of associations, with the names of the respective secretaries and supervisors. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 53 "Production details for 1955 will not be available until April, 1956. However, 11,033 milking periods were completed during 1954, a further increase of 15 per cent. Average production showed a slight drop as predicted, being 9,477 pounds of milk and 398 pounds of fat, with an average test of 4.20 per cent. A summarized report showing average production by breeds is attached in Appendix No. 16. "The following changes or transfers of supervisors took place during the year: N. W. Daykin to Chilliwack (Route 3); S. A. Blabey to Chilliwack (Route 4); J. W. Stephenson to Dewdney-Deroche (Route 2); H. Clair to Langley (Route 1); A. Colly to Salmon Arm-North Okanagan (Route 1) from Langley (Route 1); H. Bylama to Sumas (Route 2) from Chilliwack (Route 3); R. E. Chapman resigned to go auctioneering; M. Shymkowich resigned to join the Navy; and B. Hall is no longer employed as a supervisor. "For the first time in years we had sufficient applicants to hold a short course without resorting to advertising, and three were successful in passing the necessary examinations." CALF-TAGGING During the past year 3,250 tags have been issued to supervisors. This represents an increase of 250 over 1954, which was the highest year to that date. Emphasis is continually placed on the desirability of supervisors tagging all eligible calves possible. DEPARTMENTAL SUBSIDIES Grants to twenty-three D.H.I.A. routes amounted to $43,179.59 during 1955, an increase of $2,505.59. R.O.P.-D.H.I.A. COMBINED SERVICE Sixty herds are now using this service, the largest number to date. The project has continued to operate smoothly, but it is becoming apparent that some change in the eligibility rules would be beneficial, to avoid present duplication. There are differences of opinion as to the method to be adopted to avoid this duplication which will require discussion. FIELD WORK During the year 59 visits to supervisors were made, 16 to secretaries of associations and 74 to members of Dairy Herd Improvement Associations. In addition to this, Mr. Johnson reports 52 contacts with supervisors and 324 visits to secretaries and members, for a total of 525 calls during the year, including herds tested during relief period. This should be regarded as an absolute minimum, and the appointment of an additional Inspector should make it possible to contact annually and bring up to date the herd books of nearly all of the present membership. Part of the value of this work is the opportunity for extension offered in these personal contacts. In addition to the above, annual meetings of all fourteen Dairy Herd Improvement Associations were attended and spoken at. Sixteen other meetings were attended during the year, including the Lower Mainland Technical Advisory Committee meetings at Abbotsford, and policy meetings with artificial insemination units, bull selection committees, and the newly formed Artificial Insemination Bull Selection Policy Committee. OFFICE ROUTINE As already noted, increases in all phases of this work continue. Correspondence is up; a 15-per-cent increase in D.H.I, record receipts took place in 1954, and a further increase will undoubtedly be shown in 1955. R.O.P. records show an increase, with approximately 4,800 received during the year. HH 54 BRITISH COLUMBIA ANNUAL DAIRY SIRE LISTS We were only able to publish one sire list in 1955. This was the twenty-third list of Jersey sires, containing information as to the performance of 280 Jersey bulls. ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION CLUBS A close contact has again been maintained with both artificial insemination clubs. Their annual meetings have been attended, as well as some meetings with Bull Selection Committees. Reports on the performance of all bulls with the minimum of ten daughters have again been issued, and if the use of I.B.M. machines, now under consideration, proves practical, these reports will be given on a monthly basis, as requested by the clubs. The writer has been appointed to a committee to study the best means of securing and proving bulls suitable for this important phase of the dairying industry. It is again necessary to comment with regard to the lack of tagging being done to identify heifer calves. If it were not for the identification being done with D.O.T. ear- tags by supervisors in herds on test, there would not be sufficient information available to prove more than half a dozen A.I. bulls. This is the biggest problem to be overcome by the clubs at the present time. Reports on daughters of all A.I. bulls are now being given out on the basis of the breed-class average and the bulls' average rating expressed as a percentage of the average for the breed concerned. PARENTAL PRODUCTION SUMMARIES Complete reports have been prepared on nine prospective herd sires for interested members. LIFETIME PRODUCTION Emphasis is still being placed on this phase of profitable dairying. That it is receiving the attention of D.H.I, members is shown by the yearly increase in both " ton-of-fat" cows and herds eligible for the ton-of-fat competition. This year shows 57 herds eligible (up 10) for the competition and 1,312 (up 96) cows which have produced a minimum of 1 ton of butter-fat so far in their lifetime. PUBLICATIONS H.I.C. No. 76, Sixteenth Annual List of Long-distance Production Records. H.I.C. No. 77, Twenty-third List of Jersey Sires, containing reports on 280 sires. GENERAL During the last session of the House the Government approved a measure to bring D.H.I, supervisors under the " Civil Service Superannuation Act." This culminates several years of effort, and should prove to be a major factor in holding good men in our work. Necessary changes have now been made in stationery, etc., to switch all of our records from a mature equivalent basis to the breed-class average system of record evaluation. This step is in keeping with changes adopted by the breed associations, and is considered superior to the old method. For some years, efforts have been made to secure the official recognition of British Columbia's D.H.I, records. The writer feels that this would be a serious error and could lead to unexpected difficulties and complications. At the present time we are attempting to secure sufficient recognition for our records to enable members to register bull calves on the strength of the dam's D.H.I, production. It is felt that such recognition is DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 55 all that is necessary, and that if granted much of the present duplication of testing in pure-bred herds between D.H.I.A. and R.O.P. could be eliminated. Despite the increases already noted and with the exception of sire lists, the work of this Branch is in the best condition for many years. It gives a good deal of satisfaction to be able to make such a statement. SUMMARY OF TRANSACTIONS UNDER PURE-BRED SIRES FOR FARMERS' INSTITUTES POLICY Sire purchases for the year 1955 were as follows (1954 figures in parentheses): Nine (twelve) pure-bred sires were purchased during the year at a cost of $3,025 ($4,450), with the Department paying transportation charges amounting to $283.89 ($359.43); these included five Hereford, one Shorthorn, one Aberdeen-Angus, one Galloway, and one Guernsey. The institutes receiving these sires were as follows: Bella Coola, Kersley, Westbridge, Wardner, Grand Forks, and Graham Island East Coast. Total payments received from farmers under this policy amounted to $3,960.67 ($2,653.85) during the year. Final payments were received on ten bulls, including three Hereford, five Shorthorn, one Ayrshire, and one Guernsey, with the registration of same being transferred from the Live Stock Commissioner to the new owners. LIVE-STOCK IMPROVEMENT POLICY This is a new policy whereby farmers are enabled to secure top-quality boars and rams for use in areas where the freight charges might dissuade the producers from bringing in such animals. During the year six Yorkshire boars were purchased for $555 and one Oxford ram for $35. Freight charges paid to date amount to $93.84. All animals were shipped into the Peace River District. ROYAL AGRICULTURAL WINTER FAIR, TORONTO, NOVEMBER 11th TO 19th, 1955 The live-stock exhibit this year consisted of twenty-eight Guernsey cattle and eleven Arabian horses. The Guernsey exhibit was under the supervision of Murray Davie, of Ladner, and the Arabian exhibit was under the supervision of Mrs. Margaret Trethewey, of Haney. Both exhibits were showing at the Royal for the first time, and the results were very gratifying. In the Guernsey dairy cattle the ribbons achieved consisted of three firsts, one second, three thirds, six fourths, two fifths, five sixths, and several other lesser ribbons. In the Arabian light-horse improvement division the ribbons achieved consisted of two firsts, one third, three fourths, and three fifths. A. C. Stewart, of Abbotsford, forwarded a fine fleece-wool exhibit and along with one championship ribbon had two firsts, a second, and a fifth. PACIFIC INTERNATIONAL EXPOSITION, PORTLAND, ORE., OCTOBER 15th TO 22nd, 1955 In view of the fact that Portland is reasonably close, once again this year a large cattle exhibit was sponsored by the following three organizations: British Columbia branch of the Holstein-Friesian Association of Canada, British Columbia Ayrshire Breeders' Club, and British Columbia Jersey Breeders. Many of our prominent cattle-breeders showed at this exposition, and in all there were some 110 head of cattle exhibited. The numerous ribbons won is truly gratifying and drives home the fact that the quality of British Columbia dairy stock is of such high HH 56 BRITISH COLUMBIA calibre to be outstanding in one of the top agricultural expositions in Western United States. SHEEP This section of the live-stock industry has made some progress in the last few years, but there is room for much greater development. See Appendix No. 6 for average prices for lambs. Compensation Paid under the " Sheep Protection Act " from the Dog Tax Fund Year Goats Sheep Poultry Number Compensation Number Compensation Number Compensation 1951 — 1 2 2 $18.00 70.00 43.00 114 120 60 173 103 $1,728.00 2,168.00 1,115.30 3,157.00 1,850.50 401 376 883 282 208 $673.80 1952 — . 697.43 1953 _ 1954 — . 1,096.90 460.65 1955 „ 871.26 SWINE Swine-raising has changed but little in the last several years. The Peace River Block is our chief swine-raising district. Garbage feeding of feeder hogs in the areas adjacent to the larger urban centres continues to follow the usual pattern. For inspected slaughterings of hogs, see Appendix No. 2. For average prices of hogs, see Appendix No. 5. APPROVED HERDS This policy is a specialized one, intended to support and supplement the work of dairy-herd improvement. The policy is intended for dairy cattlemen who wish to extend their breeding work into a more complete and well-rounded effort. The following dairymen are listed under the policy: G. R. Rotluff, R.R. 1, Matsqui; C. A. Higginson, R.R. 2, Sardis; J. S. Reid, R.R. 1, Matsqui; Fred J. Zink, R.R. 3, Sardis; H. B. Fraser, R.R. 2, Chilliwack; J. Vonesch, R.R. 2, Abbotsford; and John Walsh, Cedar, Vancouver Island. The herds of C. A. Higginson and G. R. Rotluff are the two approved herds in the list, with others moving for full approval. DISEASE Generally speaking, British Columbia live-stock producers are more disease conscious than most stockmen. Credit for this must go to continued educational work and to sound practical policies. SPECIFIC DISEASES Hemorrhagic Septicemia.—In its most common form it is known as " shipping fever." Considerable educational work is done regularly in the control of this condition. Coccidiosis.—This disease entity is not so prevalent as at one time but still makes its appearance where conditions are favourable. Equine Encephalomyelitis.—No cases were reported in the Province. Caseous Lymphadenitis.—The picture has not changed. The disease is being kept under control. Keratitis (Pinkeye).—This disease is quite well established and is becoming more widely distributed. Carcinoma of the Eye.—The stimulating effect of conditions like keratitis contributes to the development of eye cancer. It is thought that there perhaps is an inheritance factor present in some instances. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 57 Foot-rot in Cattle.—This condition is becoming of increasing importance. Some work was commenced in an effort to bring this complex problem under control. Foot-rot in Sheep.—A reportable disease under the " Contagious Diseases (Animals) Act." The disease still exists in sheep flocks, but routine inspections continue to keep it under reasonable control. Liver A bscess.—This appears more frequently where foot-rot in cattle is prevalent. Actinomyces necrophorus is the organism responsible for both these infections. Actinomycosis and Actinobacillosis.—These may appear singly or in combination. Swine Erysipelas.—This disease condition is very widely distributed and offers an excellent example of what may happen where the primary importance of disease-control is overlooked. Swine Rhinitis.—The same might be said here as was said regarding swine erysipelas. Complex Swine Diseases.—The picture here changes but little. The problem of swine production is a very complex one. In order to bring about a near-satisfactory solution, definite changes will have to be made in many policies. Johne's Disease.—This disease is fast becoming one of ever-increasing importance and one which if neglected much longer will impose a serious problem. We have one large sheep flock under quarantine. A clean-up has not yet been made. Infectious Abortion Other than Brucella Infection.—These include abortions due to the protozoan Trichamonas foetus and the organisms Vibrio foetus and Leptospira pomona. Trichomoniasis, if present, is to a very limited extent. A small break a few years ago was promptly brought under control. As our work in brucellosis eradication proceeded, vibriosis was discovered, and work has commenced in the control of this important disease. So far no definite cases of leptospirosis have been uncovered. Mastitis.—The incidence has been increasing in extent and in virulence. VESICULAR DISEASES Rabies.—The control of this disease is under the control of the Federal Health of Animals Division, but our Department continues to assist. BRUCELLOSIS-CONTROL The work in the control and eradication of this greatest of cattle diseases, which can also affect swine and which is of first importance as a public health problem, has gone forward most satisfactorily. At the present time there are twenty-one fully gazetted areas and one smaller control area. Of these, eleven areas are brucellosis-free over complete blood test of all cattle and goats. Two of these areas have been fully retested after some five years since the initial complete test. It is most gratifying to be able to report that not a single reactor was uncovered on the retest. This is a compliment to the soundness of the policy and the completeness of the work and the controls. Petitions have just arrived in the Live Stock Branch office from the Greater Kamloops-Revelstoke- North Okanagan area. This, when gazetted, will take in all of the Province from approximately Macalister south to the United States border, east to the Alberta border, and all of the area to the Pacific Coast, including Vancouver Island and all of the Gulf Islands with the exception of the Greater Fraser Valley. One area includes from the Alberta boundary west beyond McBride. Petitions are moving to bring in Central British Columbia and the Peace River Block. This will bring all of British Columbia under control except the Fraser Valley. There are indications that something will shortly be done in this territory. For summary of vaccinations, see Appendix No. 13. Calfhood Vaccination Total calves vaccinated under the Provincial policy during the period from July 31st, 1941, to July 14th, 1950, were 83,730 head. This figure includes 14,121 calves vaccinated under the area programme by Provincial Veterinary Inspectors. HH 58 BRITISH COLUMBIA Calf hood Vaccination under Joint Policy of Federal-Provincial Brucellosis-control Area Vaccinations by Provincial Total Veterinarians Vaccinations July 15th, 1950, to June 30th, 1951 8,798 18,929 July 1st, 1951, to June 30th, 1952 11,324 24,178 July 1st, 1952, to June 30th, 1953 14,820 29,605 July 1st, 1953, to June 30th, 1954 19,321 34,152 July 1st, 1954, to June 30th, 1955 22,977 36,815 Totals 77,240 143,679 On the date of July 14th, 1950, the programme became a joint Federal-Provincial policy, in which the Federal Department of Agriculture (Health of Animals Division) furnished to the Provincial Department vaccine free for distribution according to an agreed-upon plan. The Province is required to direct and administer the policy. PROVINCIAL WARBLE-FLY AND TICK CONTROL The British Columbia organized area policy was the first of its kind in Canada, beginning over twenty-five years ago. In the beginning it was not uncommon to find an incidence of over fifty warbles on a considerable percentage of the cattle in some sections. In most of these areas the incidence is either very very low or non-existent. The economic importance of this work has perhaps been overlooked. "MILK ACT" ADMINISTRATION, DAIRY-HERD INSPECTION, AND DAIRY-FARM GRADING The report of the work in this particular field will be presented in conjunction with the personal reports of the Veterinary Inspectors, and see Appendix No. 14. FUR-FARMING AND "FUR-FARM ACT" ADMINISTRATION A review of the disease outbreaks for the year shows eleven ranches were quarantined for distemper. The following is a summary of activities within the industry: 1955 licences issued, 490 (Nos. 3001g to 3490g), as against 432 last year; 96 new licences (including 3 transfers) (55 mink, 40 chinchilla, and 1 nutria) were issued; and 41 ranches ceased operations (29 mink, 11 chinchilla, and 1 racoon). Revenue totalled $5,335 ($4,640 in 1954). Eleven ranches were quarantined for distemper. Forty-eight permits to vaccinate were issued—fifteen for killed tissue, five for Connaught's new modified live virus vaccine for spray application, and the balance for modified live virus vaccine. Statistics (1953) released by the Dominion Bureau of Statistics in May, 1955:— 1953 1952 1950 1948 Ranch-produced pelts sold (number)- Value of pelts- Value of breeding stock at December 31st, 1953„ 90,362 $1,531,577 $1,848,000 82,839 $1,347,718 $1,619,561 65,659 $1,147,321 $1,473,988 46,627 $638,612 $1,099,710 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 59 The following table indicates the distribution of fur-farm transportation permits issued during the period December 1st, 1954, to December 31st, 1955 (figures for 1954 shown in parentheses):— Kind and Number of Permits Mink Chinchilla Fox Nutria Export, 144 (114)— 1,081 ( 317) 221 ( 219) 21 ( 11) - - ( 6) ( ) - ( 4) ( ) 97 (158) ( 8) — ( 15) 12 ( ) 4 ( ) 8 (- ) 16 (—) ( ) ( ) - ( ) ~~ (-1) _ ( ) ( ) ( ) — (. ) Sweden ...... (__. ) . (_._) . ( ) ( ) 1,323 ( 557) 137 (181) — (—) — (—..) Import, 124 (83)— 3,153 (1,030) 326 ( 330) ( ) 253 ( 59) 125 (137) ( ) .... (—) (—) (--) 6 ( 6) United States _ _ 3 (. ) 8 ( .) 3,479 (1,360) 378 (196) — (-_„) 17 ( 6) Move, 60 (55) . - 547 ( 281) 140 ( 73) — ( 1) .... ( ) The large number of mink imported from other Canadian Provinces is due primarily to the movement to British Columbia from Alberta of eleven ranchers and their stock, totalling 2,146 animals. In addition to those listed in the above table, permits were issued to cover movement of mink to shows at Milwaukee, Seattle, New Westminster, Edmonton, Toronto, and Regina, and for chinchilla to shows at Nanaimo and Victoria. ANIMAL PATHOLOGICAL SERVICES E. A. Bruce, B.V.Sc, V.S., in charge part time of the Victoria Branch Animal Pathology Laboratory, reports as follows:— Specimens Examined in Victoria Laboratory, December 1st, 1954, to December 31st, 1955 Diseases Due to— M CO u O n 0 Q1 a O M 53 CQ CO o O u c '$ H o A. g P 0J Bh.O So o Q 1 CQ is c 25 Remarks Total A. Bacteria i i 13,795 1 1 5 1 2 83 5 z 1 1 1 2 40 1 1 4 1 1 10 37 2 2 9 1 28 3 9 3 1 4 4 1 4 1 1 1 23 1 1 1 3 1 - 1 Brucellosis — Dysentery ._ 13,233 negative, 170 suspicious, 433 positive Vibrionic 13,836 1 19 37 Gastroenteritis Hae moglobinuri a Hemorrhagic septicaemia 4 1 9 2 2 4 2 84 Meningitis.-— 3 9 Pleurisy —_ 3 1 1 51 Septicaemia Staphylococcosis Swine erysipelas, 4 Mink, Canada goose- 2 10 3 5 HH 60 BRITISH COLUMBIA Specimens Examined in Victoria Laboratory, December 1st, 1954, to December 31st, 1955—Continued Diseases Due to— m u m u O ft 0) 4) 6 O 0 c h s o Cfl if g it * CO M O Q S<: 1 u> SI Remarks Total B. Protozoa 2 2 3 3 1 1 1 1 2 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 138 1 21 1 18 5 2 11 31 7 2 3 1 1 1 1 8 1 1 24 4 300 1 15 4 1 8 1 3 2 1 11 5 6 3 1 3 3 2 - 12 3 2 1 1 1 i l i i Rabbits, pheasants. Goose Chukkars 158 1 24 1 C. Metazoa Chukkars Deer (C. tenuicollis) 2 1 1 30 1 1 D. Virus 5 C R.D. 2 11 31 7 E. Miscellaneous 11 Bloat - Rabbit— Chinchillas — 1 3 2 2 3 3 11 1 6 6 3 4 9 1 1 1 24 4 Plants . Actaea arguta Baneberry, cyanide , Beef 1 4 2 3 2 300 1 17 Totals - 6 13,905 2 9 2 43 10 1 693 23 95 1 1 25 4 14,791 29 Totals.. - 6 13,903 7 43 9 670 94 1 1 25 4 14,762 1 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 61 J. C. Bankier, D.V.M., V.S., Vancouver, in charge of the Branch Laboratory on the campus of the University of British Columbia, reports as follows: — Specimens Examined in Vancouver Laboratory, December 1st, 1954, to December 31st, 1955 Diseases Due to— M a & M U >> QJ M H (2 u co u In O K U .a > Vk M I. 3 4) UtSl 1 CO u S3 S3 Remarks Total A. Bacteria Abscess 28 5 8 8 31 47 38 4 1 41 4 97 45 17 12 16 108 32 1 6 69 11 13 65 18 20 15 9 2 i 24 14 12 - - 1 6 8 32 23 12 5 3 1 4 1 5 1 1 574 8 3 2 1 2 1 2 1 4 1 1 2 1 6 2 13 1 4 1 5 24 1 5 1 i 15 1 3 1 2 12 1 1 1 1 2 1 Deer 1 cat, 2 dogs, 12 Java birds 3 52 1 6 1 534 negative, 11 positive, 29 suspicious - 574 5 9 Dog, pigeon, goose - 38 1 18 8 3 1 ] .... 3 1 — 2 1 — 1 ! .... 1 Goat 51 2 1 1 7 2 1 1 4 1 2 2 I 48 Cat, duck— 55 2 positive, 2 negative 4 Pyelonephritis - 1 Ducks. 18 9 3 - 1 - .... 1 — 52 4 B. Virus 106 Dog „ . 25 45 17 12 16 108 11 2 C. Protozoa Coccidiosis— 45 — 1 — 90 2 Rabbits 5 30 1 5 3 D. Helminthes 20 1 15 Goat 4 2 D. Fungi Aspergillosis Non-specific fungus infection - Parrots 2 1 13 Pneumonomycosis 1 Goose. . 4 4 HH 62 BRITISH COLUMBIA Specimens Examined in Vancouver Laboratory, December 1st, 1954, to December 31st, 1955—Continued Diseases Due to— M a o M o 3 0 09 S? ■g M CO 0 M o, o o ja co o a "S CO 5 J.8 S.2 Remarks Total E. Nutrition 2 18 7 50 2 70 9 4 1 1 4 85 243 40 5 1 3 1 2 1 1 56 1 4 356 10 7 1 38 i i 35 16 2 9 2 2 14 45 1 9 1 1 1 1 1 1 10 1 11 1 1 1 4 28 25 1 1 5 .... 1 1 1 1 .... 1 4 7 4 2 3 1 15 1 2 2 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 3 2 4 Avitaminosis "A" 2 1 19 7 1 7 F. Metabolic Disorders 50 4 4 70 9 G. Miscellaneous Crop impaction ~ Cystic calculi Dog 5 Cystitis Monkey ,,. 2 4 Moose 138 261 3 Gizzard abscess Goose - Duck _ 1 1 Haemoglobin determination and W.B.C Has mor rhagic disease — Impaction. 1 guinea-hen, 2 flamingoes 8 13 1 Negative findings — 1 goat (24 faecal samples), 103 Omphalitis 6 Poultry blood for special diagnosis 2 1 9 6 1 47 Totals 1,686 284 650 61 10 16 111 ! 55 2,873 There are many items of interest in Dr. Bankier's report. Besides providing diagnostic service at the laboratory, attending meetings, participating in short courses, and making field visits, the following excerpts from Dr. Bankier's report contain much food for thought:— " The personnel and facilities of the laboratory place a degree of limitation on the type of laboratory services rendered. Therefore, owing to the complex nature of some disease problems, assistance from other laboratories has been obtained from time to time for the purpose of clarifying the nature of the causative agent in such problems. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 63 " In this regard, splendid co-operation has been received from Connaught Medical Research Laboratories, Toronto; Ontario Veterinary College, Guelph, Ont.; Federal Division of Animal Pathology on the University of British Columbia campus; and the Animal Diseases Research Institute, Hull, Que., all of which is hereby gratefully acknowledged. " Splendid co-operation has also been received when required from Poultry Inspectors of the Provincial and Federal Departments of Agriculture, District Agriculturists, Veterinary Inspectors, and field-service men from various feed companies in the liaison work between the Animal Pathology Laboratory and the farmer. Such liaison is a most important aspect in the work of agricultural extension respecting disease prevention and control. " There is considerable economic wastage resulting from disease which could be largely overcome by the correct application of known control measures by the farmer himself. To accomplish this ideal, there is a constant challenge to the diagnostician and extension worker. " With the increasing knowledge respecting the nature of certain disease problems and the development of newer and somewhat complex techniques, the demand is arising for greater diversification of our laboratory services and additional laboratory staff." ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION General improvement in the results being obtained in this field can be reported. The matter of the use of frozen semen was given some preliminary consideration. MEAT INSPECTION Essential machinery built around the regulations under the " Meat Inspection Act " has been set up. Several plants have inquired with respect to the adoption of a meat- inspection service. Only one plant is fully ready for operation. One plant is moving for early operation. Most of the other plants require much yet to be done (see Appendix No. 10). At least one municipality has moved to require sale of all meats within the municipality to be fully inspected under a Federal or Provincial service. There is much yet to be done in order to get this service operating to any great extent. The next move is up to the industry itself and to municipal bodies. The following summarized report of P. G. Lawrence, Brand Inspector, on beef- grading supervision reviews the work done:— " The Provincial ' Beef Grading Act' in its scope applies only to the Greater Vancouver area, North and West Vancouver, Burnaby, and New Westminster. In carrying out the provisions of this Act, our Inspector, P. G. Lawrence, made a total of 995 visits to retail establishments. This work has markedly improved the authentic display and sale of meats, according to grade. " Mr. Lawrence has spent considerable time on the slink-veal situation. "During the year 19,317 calves were inspected by the Vancouver Health Department and 1,308 or 6.77 per cent were condemned as unfit for human consumption." The following summarized report of F. C. Clark, Live Stock Inspector, also covers this section of the service:— " From the report of our Live Stock Inspector, F. C. Clark, it becomes increasingly evident that the dairy-cattle placement programme is of great value to the dairy industry of the Province. Appendix No. 17 provides a complete summary of all cattle placements since the inception of the programme in 1950. It is interesting to note that during that time 600 head of dairy stock have been selected from D.H.I.A. herds in the Fraser Valley and shipped to the Interior. HH 64 BRITISH COLUMBIA "As outlined in Appendix No. 17, 81 head of dairy cattle have been placed during 1955, including 5 bulls, 22 heifer calves, and 54 head of mature females. Of these, 10 head were registered animals. In previous years the demand has been largely for heifer calves. A change in this pattern was noted in 1954 when demand for sound milking cows almost equalled those for heifer calves. In 1955 twice as many head of mature stock, milking cows, and bred heifers were shipped as compared to calves. " This policy ties in together several Live Stock Branch programmes—disease-control areas, the use of registered sires, and the Dairy Herd Improvement Services programme with its production data." SHIPMENTS OF BUTCHER CATTLE TO THE VANCOUVER ISLAND DISEASE-CONTROL AREA All veal calves and butcher cattle bought at Gibson's Auction Barn, Langley, for shipment to the Vancouver Island Disease-control Area have been identified by ear- tagging which began on April 14th, 1955. Transportation permits (Form V. 14 for immediate slaughter) were issued at the auction to cover these cattle in transit. Copies of these permits were forwarded to the Victoria office to cross-check the ear-tags turned in to that office following slaughter of animals. This programme was inaugurated to facilitate the movement of butcher cattle to Vancouver Island, along with keeping adequate control of such stock moving in to the disease-control area. Data on numbers of cattle shipped to Vancouver Island from April 14th to December 31st, 1955, under this programme are presented in Appendix No. 11 and show that 348 cattle were transported for immediate slaughter. BRAND INSPECTION The following is a report by the Recorder of Brands, Thomas Moore:— Shipments Shipments of cattle in British Columbia were 77,311 head, compared to 79,634 head in 1954. This shows a decrease of 2,323 head. Cattle shipped from the Interior of British Columbia to the United States in 1955 were 2,013, compared to 3,207 head in 1954, a decrease of 1,194 head. Shipments of cattle from the Cariboo were 17,061 head, compared with 22,684 head in 1954, a decrease of 5,623 head. Kamloops-Nicola shipped 29,312 head in 1954, compared with 28,953 in 1955, a decrease of 359 head. Shipments of hides were 18,576, as compared to 18,233 in 1954, an increase in the number of hides of 343. Horses shipped in 1955 were 5,798 head, as against 5,328 in 1954, an increase of 470 head.. Shipments of cattle to the Prairies were 9,920 head in 1955, compared to 7,849 in 1954, an increase of 2,071 head. Inspection Service Brand inspection was carried out by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police at seventy shipping-points in the following districts:-— Cariboo: Williams Lake, Alexis Creek, Quesnel, Bella Coola, Clinton, 100 Mile House, Lillooet, Bralorne, and Wells. Kamloops-Nicola: Kamloops, Chase, Blue River, Salmon Arm, Merritt, Ash- croft, Lytton, Spences Bridge, Hope, Flood, and Boston Bar. Okanagan and Similkameen: Vernon, Lumby, Armstrong, Enderby, Kelowna, Penticton, Summerland, Oliver, Osoyoos, Falkland, Sicamous, Princeton, Copper Mountain, Keremeos, Grand Forks, and Greenwood. South-eastern British Columbia: Rossland, Trail, Fruitvale, Castlegar, Crescent Valley, Nelson, Kaslo, Salmo, Creston, New Denver, Radium Hot Springs, Cranbrook, Kimberley, Fernie, Natal, Invermere, Golden, Revelstoke, Nakusp, Field, and Brisco. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 65 Central British Columbia and Peace River: Smithers, Hazelton, Terrace, Burns Lake, Vanderhoof, Prince George, McBride, Red Pass, Fort St. James, Dawson Creek, Fort St. John, Atlin, and Fort Nelson. Inspectors paid by the Department attended to the work at fifteen shipping-points, as follows: Bridge Lake, Clinton, Copper Creek, Dawson Creek, Endako, Graham Siding, Houston, 100 Mile House, Kamloops, Kitwanga, Lac la Hache, Merritt, Pavilion, Williams Lake, and Lone Butte. Staff Appointments Roy Doll, Deputy Brand Inspector, appointed March 7th, 1955, for Kitwanga. A. G. Hay, Pavilion, appointed September 6th, 1955, as a Deputy Brand Inspector. Resignations Thomas E. Moore, Deputy Brand Inspector, Kitwanga, resigned owing to ill health on January 7th, 1955. John Moss, Deputy Brand Inspector, Pavilion, resigned May 23rd, 1955. J. I. Snider, Deputy Brand Inspector, Brisco, resigned August 31st, 1955. Brand Commissioners Appreciation is expressed to the Brand Commissioners for their assistance and co-operation during the year. Lectures to Royal Canadian Mounted Police on " Stock-brands Act " Lectures given by the Chief Inspector of Brands during the year were held at Penticton, Vernon, Kamloops, Nelson, Grand Forks, Cranbrook, Prince George, and Dawson Creek. Subjects dealt with were three Provincial Statutes—the " Stock-brands Act," the " Horned Cattle Purchases Act," and the " Beef Cattle Producers' Assistance Act." These lectures were well attended by members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Brand Inspectors, and Deputy Brand Inspectors. Practical demonstrations of brand inspection were carried out at the various places where live stock was available. At Kamloops, Dr. L. P. Guichon, Brand Commissioner, and A. J. Duck, Brand Inspector, assisted in a demonstration of brand inspection of hides. Stockmen's Meetings and Cattle Sales A number of meetings and cattle sales were attended by the Recorder of Brands. National Livestock Brand Conference This Conference was held at Portland, Ore., on June 20th, 21st, and 22nd, 1955, and was attended by your Recorder of Brands and Dr. L. P. Guichon, Brand Commissioner. Royal Canadian Mounted Police Co-operation Appreciation is expressed to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for their co-operation throughout the Province in the enforcement of the " Stock-brands Act," the " Beef Cattle Producers' Assistance Act," and the " Horned Cattle Purchases Act." A number of convictions for cattle-stealing were obtained this year. It is particularly commendable to members of the force carrying out investigations of this difficult nature to have secured sufficient evidence to bring these cases to a successful conclusion. R.C.M.P. detachments, Brand Inspectors, and Deputy Brand Inspectors were visited throughout the Province, and matters pertaining to the enforcement of the above-mentioned Acts were discussed. 3 HH 66 BRITISH COLUMBIA Brand-book The 1954 Supplement No. 2 to the brand-book, showing all brands renewed, transferred, reissued, and new brands, was published and distributed to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Brand Inspectors, Deputy Brand Inspectors, etc. The issuance of the Annual Supplement No. 3 to the brand-book, showing all brands issued in 1955, is due at the end of the year. It is anticipated to have this brand-book completed so that it can be in the hands of the printers soon after the first of the new year. Brands New Brand Applications.—Approximately 363 new brands were issued this year. Brand Renewals.—Nine hundred renewal applications were sent out from this office in 1955. Brands Renewed.—A total of 922 brands were renewed in 1955. Brands Transferred.—One hundred and twenty brands were transferred in 1955. Brand Reissues.—Eighty-five brands were reissued in 1955. Licenses Issued 1954 1955 Slaughter-house 83 80 Hide-dealers 74 73 Stock-dealers 137 137 Beef-peddlers 10 15 Horse-slaughterers 18 18 Horse-meat dealers (animal-food) 8 9 Horse-meat dealers (human consumption) 2 1 Permit to transport horses for working purposes.... 50 58 Permit to transport stallions for breeding purposes 1 1 A complete list of the licencees is attached (see Appendix No. 8). Flood Check-point Figures shown below are for the years 1954 and 1955, and show inspections carried out by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police at Flood in the checking of all five stock, hides, and dressed beef through this check-point:— 1954 1955 Number of cattle 6,781 6,090 Number of horses 1,015 901 Number of hides 3,872 3,512 Dressed beef (quarters) 89 22 Number of trucks checked 1,080 1,020 Prosecutions and Convictions under the " Stock-brands Act " Section 26 (1) (operating slaughter-house without licence): New Westminster, 1. Section 27 (1) (slaughtering horses for animal-food without a licence): Merritt, 1. Section 34 (1) (not having stock-dealer's licence): Cloverdale, 1; Invermere, 1; Kimberley, 1. Section 35 (1) (transporting stock without inspection by Brand Inspector): Fernie, 1; Kimberley, 3. Section 37 (1) (carrying stock without brand inspection certificate): Greenwood, 1; Princeton, 1; Williams Lake, 1. Section 41 (failing to produce brand inspection certificate): Castlegar, 1; Flood, 1. Section 46 (a) (impressing stock with unregistered brand): Kamloops, 1. department of agriculture, 1955 hh 67 Convictions under the Criminal Code of Canada re Cattle Section 280 (a) (theft of cattle): Osoyoos, 2; Clinton, 4. Section 284 (la) (appropriating calf): Quesnel, 1. Section 369 (theft of cattle): Delta, 4; Penticton, 2. Section 510 (b) (ii) (mischief in maiming a young bull): Kamloops, 1. REPORTS OF VETERINARY INSPECTORS In reviewing the annual reports of our Veterinary Inspectors, there are four new developments that have occurred, and these are outlined as follows:— (1) The use of bulk storage-tanks for milk on the farms in the Fraser Valley is becoming very widespread. Regulations were introduced under the " Creameries and Dairies Regulation Act" specifying requirements for the installation of farm holding-tanks and also requiring that a permit be issued by the Dairy Branch before the tank is installed. The Dairy Branch Inspectors and the Live Stock Branch Inspectors have co-operated, with the result all tanks have been installed in accordance with regulations. At the end of the year, seventy-two permits to install farm holding-tanks were issued. (2) Following the findings of the Royal Commission on Milk, lay Inspectors have been appointed to facilitate inspection of dairy-farms in the Fraser Valley and on Vancouver Island. A Dairy-farm Inspector's Short Course was held for these men at Acadia Camp at the University of British Columbia. (3) During the year the outbreak of vibriosis in cattle at Grasmere in the Kootenays caused several problems and required considerable time of our Veterinary Inspectors for the area. The disease has been known to exist sporadically throughout the Province, but the Grasmere break is our first known bad break in range cattle. (4) In the Ootsa Lake and Smithers areas there have been several fatalities in calves during the past few years. It is likely that this disease is a hcemor- rhagic entero-toxEemia caused by the bacteria Clostridium perfringens, Type C. A vaccine is now available for this disease, and cattle-owners have thus been advised to vaccinate their cows before calving-time in order that the calves can be born with immunity, or at least partial immunity. BLOOD-TESTING AND MASTITIS EXAMINATIONS For a complete summary of blood-testing and mastitis examinations carried out by our Veterinary Inspectors during 1955, see Appendix No. 12. The brucellosis blood-test totals and results by our Veterinary Inspectors show 11,729 animals blood-tested, with 406 or 3.4 per cent reacting as positive and 144 or 1.2 per cent reacting as suspicious. These totals of positives and suspicious do not differentiate between true reactions due to infection or reactions as a result of calfhood vaccination. Of the 10,955 cows examined for mastitis, 838 or 7.6 per cent showed clinical signs of mastitis. Of the 838 diagnosed cases, recommendations were given that 162 cows, representing 19.3 per cent of the actual cases, should be removed from the milking-line for slaughter. These would be the chronic cases of which the Inspector found chronic mastitis, there being no hope of cure in these cases. HH 68 BRITISH COLUMBIA REPORT OF DAIRY BRANCH F. C. Wasson, M.S.A., Dairy Commissioner Indications are that the total milk production for 1955 will be much the same as in 1954, when 769,219,000 pounds were produced. VALUE OF DAIRY PRODUCTS As prices have remained steady, with fluid sales slightly increased, and butter and cheese production a little lower, the over-all value of dairy production during 1955 will be much the same as that of 1954, when farm value of milk production was estimated at $30,537,000 and the value of dairy products at factories or milk plants as $40,293,000. UTILIZATION OF MILK IN PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL MILK PRODUCTION (1954) STATISTICS Per Cent Fluid sales, milk and cream 55.17 Creamery butter 24.60 Factory cheese 1.75 Concentrated milk and ice-cream 7.73 Dairy butter 2.56 Used on farms and for other purposes 8.19 100.00 Creamery-butter and Cheddar-cheese production decreased approximately 14 and 8 per cent respectively, ice-cream production showed an increase of 5 per cent, cottage- cheese production increased slightly over the 3,662,000 pounds produced in 1954, powdered milk showed a decrease, and evaporated-milk production increased considerably over 1954. DAIRY PLANTS There were 101 milk processing and manufacturing plants operating in the Province during the year. Thirteen plants produced creamery butter, two produced Cheddar cheese, and thirty-four made ice-cream (only four being strictly ice-cream plants, the others being creameries and milk-processing plants); approximately 300 counter freezers were in operation, two factories made powdered milk, one made evaporated milk, and three plants in isolated areas were granted permits to make reconstituted milk. CREAMERIES The thirteen creameries produced just over 6,100,000 pounds of butter. This is 14 per cent less than the 7,067,000 pounds which were produced in 1954, an all-time high for British Columbia. The former highest year for creamery-butter production was 1945, when 6,205,000 pounds were made. CHEESE-FACTORIES Two Cheddar-cheese factories have been in operation during 1955—one located at Salmon Arm and the other at Armstrong. The total production of Cheddar cheese is less than 1,000,000 pounds, a decrease of 8 per cent from 1954. K. E. Andersen and A. Jacobson, proprietors of the Egeskov Cheese Factory at Creston, have made several thousand pounds of blue-vein cheese. This has turned out to be a very satisfactory product. The making of blue-vein cheese is a new industry in this Province and r DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 69 one that should be encouraged. Several thousand pounds of farm cheese were made in a farm factory near Nanaimo. ICE-CREAM The total ice-cream production for the year amounted to 3,216,658 gallons, which is an increase of approximately 5 per cent over 1954. CONCENTRATED MILK PRODUCTS The production of powdered milk is slightly down and evaporated-milk production considerably increased over last year. IMPORTS The value of dairy products imported in 1953 amounted to $16,212,814. This was made up chiefly of creamery butter, cheese, evaporated and powdered milk. During the last two years, imports have decreased considerably, due chiefly to oleomargarine replacing butter consumption. In other words the per capita consumption of butter since the introduction of oleomargarine in 1949 has decreased from 28 pounds to less than 20 pounds, and the per capita consumption of oleomargarine has, during the same period, increased from zero to over 13 pounds per person. Butter imports dropped from near 20,000,000 pounds in 1952 to around 17,000,000 pounds in 1954. EXPORTS Exports of dairy products (mainly evaporated and powdered milk) from British Columbia have never been very great, averaging annually about a half-million dollars. SHORT COURSE IN DAIRYING Due to an apparent lack of interest which resulted in only ten applications, no short course in dairying was held in 1955. DAIRY LICENCES AND CERTIFICATES The following licences and certificates of proficiency were issued during 1955: Creamery or Dairy Licences, 103; Milk-testers' Licences, 147; Combined Milk-testers' and Cream-graders' Licences, 37; single Cream-graders' Licences, 3; Certificates of Proficiency, 17; Milk-graders' Licences, 64; making a total of 371, being an increase of 79 licences and a decrease of 5 certificates of proficiency. This is the first year that Milk-graders' Licences have been issued. Eight examinations were given for Milk- testers' Licences and sixty-four examinations for Milk-graders' Licences. For list of licensed dairy plants, see Appendix No. 1. OLEOMARGARINE LICENCES Four firms were issued licences to manufacture oleomargarine in 1955. These were Canada Packers Limited, Kraft Foods Limited, Nova Margarine Limited, all of Vancouver, and Westminster Foods Limited, New Westminster. Twenty licences were issued to wholesalers of oleomargarine, being one less manufacturer's licence and three less wholesalers' licences than in 1954. INSPECTION AND INSTRUCTION SERVICES Following are excerpts taken from the Inspectors' annual reports. George Patchett, Senior Dairy Inspector, Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands:— " For the second successive year a late, cold spring had its influence on dairying on the Island. Temperatures were high enough to promote good growth of grass but too L HH 70 BRITISH COLUMBIA low to encourage consumption of ice-cream. A surplus of milk was produced in May, which was the coldest May on record. This surplus continued through June and then seemed to level off due to a better demand for milk and ice-cream. Soon after that it was necessary to increase the supply of milk coming from the Mainland. The Island as a whole suffered from unseasonable weather throughout the year. Haying operations were hampered, causing many farmers to put their crops into trench and upright silos in an attempt to save them. Many others, of course, had adopted the system of cutting grass for silage as a regular practice and were fortunate in that they had built extra silos. " Grade standards were established for milk to be pasteurized for fluid consumption. These and amended regulations came into force on October 1st and involved the licensing of milk-graders. " Summing up the picture for the past year, I would say it has been a year of intense activity, showing great progress in the industry. The quality of milk is improving, and with the advent of milk-grading it is possible to assess the ability of the farmers to produce a first-class product." D. D. Wilson, Dairy Inspector and laboratory technician, Victoria:— "A major portion of the work this year has been to assist the dairy industry on Vancouver Island to prepare for the new milk-grading regulations. Routine work of plant visits and inspections, butter-fat check testing, quality testing of milk, and educational work were carried on. The laboratory work was expanded this year, and an intensive inspection programme of producers' milk-cans was also carried out. " The introduction of compulsory grading of milk for fluid use is, in my opinion, one of the most important single steps that the industry has taken. The threat facing the fluid-milk industry to-day from the easily reconstituted and conveniently packaged dried milks can only be met with a fluid product of highest quality at the closest competitive price. The high cost of servicing the home with fluid milk will have to be reduced, and in order to do this a raw-milk supply of top quality will be imperative. The Resazurin test will indicate where improvement is necessary, and from here we can progress. " The gradual addition of equipment to the laboratory has made it possible to carry out bacteriological work. Raw-milk samples have been analysed, and sterility tests on dairy-plant equipment have been conducted. Through the laboratory service, three plants which had trouble with high bacterial counts were able to trace their problem to the presence of large numbers of thermoduric organisms in their raw-milk supply." G. D. Johnson, Dairy Inspector, Okanagan, Cariboo, Central British Columbia, and Peace River:— " The year 1955 has brought about a number of beneficial changes in the dairy industry throughout British Columbia. The Royal Commission on Milk, while not directly concerned with the Interior, has done much to bring about greater efficiency in the production, processing, and distribution of fluid-milk products. With the advent of compulsory grading of milk at the dairy plants, effective October 1st, 1955, and the preparation made to carry out this legislation since early May, a great improvement has been noted in the quality of raw and processed products. These two factors have also tended to maintain a steady price to the producer, and in some areas have caused a raising or lowering of fluid prices to a more realistic level to the consumer. In this connection, retail milk has been reduced on the Prince Rupert market from 29 to 27 cents, whereas in the Kelowna area it has been raised from 20 to 22 cents to conform with prices in the rest of the Okanagan. "During the year 1955, dairy-industry promotional work was carried out in the Okanagan, Similkameen, Cariboo, Central British Columbia, and the Peace River Districts. Such work included plant inspection, instruction in all phases to plant personnel, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 71 planning of new dairies and changes to existing plants, meetings and informative talks to public organizations, visits and assistance to dairy-farmers, preparation for and installation of milk-grading, and interviews in all phases of the dairy industry and its allied workers. " In preparation for milk-grading, two four-day courses were carried out—one at Salmon Arm for the Okanagan area and one at Prince George for the Cariboo, Central British Columbia, and Peace River areas. A total of eighteen plant personnel attended these courses and were licensed as milk-graders under the ' Creameries and Dairies Regulation Act.'" N. H. Ingledew, Dairy Inspector, East and West Kootenays:— " In the Kootenay area this year has been one of achievement due to the fact that very close co-operation has been effected between all government agencies connected with the production and handling of milk. Several important discussions have been held with the Public Health, Live Stock, and Dairy Branches, which has resulted in very close collaboration and has, as a result, eliminated considerable overlapping of work. " Milk production on the whole has remained reasonably constant. While some shippers for various reasons have gone out of business, others have increased the size and efficiency of their herds and taken up the slack. I can visualize in the next couple of years considerably more of this reallocation of production where the poorer shippers will go out of business and the better producers will increase in number. " The Creston area is the only one where production is greater due to an increase in the number of shippers. The Co-operative Association is gradually improving the dairy production picture in the Creston Valley, and the farmers there have had one of their best years. A large portion of their production has gone to the fluid market, and through the blue-vein cheese factory they have received a good price for their surplus milk. This picture looks even brighter now that the Co-operative has purchased the Enterprise Dairy in Kimberley. They can now control their own sales picture of this underdeveloped market. " The sale of cartoned milk from Alberta still presents a problem in the East Kootenay. This will continue as a problem until such time as we are able to convince a local operator on the advisability of installing a carton machine and utilizing local supplies. " Bottled raw milk still constitutes approximately 25 per cent of all fluid-milk sales in the Trail-Nelson area. Until such time as we drastically tighten up on regulations and inspections, this raw-milk trade will continue to be not only unfair competition for our pasteurizing plants, but will continue to be a public health hazard. " With the additional sales volume which could result from the increased industrial activity in the area on the one hand and the estimated decrease in production caused by the expansion of disease-free areas with the resultant culling of herds on the other, I would suggest that during the coming year milk-producers in the Kootenays will be hard-pressed to maintain sufficient local supplies to satisfy the demand." K. G. Savage and Charles Rive, Dairy Inspectors, Lower Fraser Valley and West Coast:— " With the start, on October 1st, 1955, of compulsory milk-grading in all plants in British Columbia buying milk for use in the pasteurized fluid trade, a great deal of time was spent during the summer on the licensing of milk-graders, supervising establishment of proper laboratory facilities for carrying out bacterial tests, and arranging proper grading procedures, notices, and record-keeping. This has led to a much greater number of Resazurin tests being carried out under the observation and supervision of the Dairy Inspectors in the Vancouver area. At the year's end the programme of milk-grading is operating reasonably satisfactorily with the co-operation of all dairy plants. " In 1955 a considerable number of farm holding-tanks were installed. Regulations covering the installation of these holding-tanks were approved in April and served to HH 72 BRITISH COLUMBIA control a situation that was rapidly getting out of hand. These regulations require a permit to be issued prior to use of the holding-tanks, and after a very great amount of basic liaison work was carried out between firms selling farm tanks, farmer organizations, calibration firms, etc., a sound workable programme was evolved. At the year's end seventy-two permits have been issued for use of farm holding-tanks, and four permits for use of tank-trucks. In addition, after a short course at the University of British Columbia, and subsequent examination, special certificates have been issued to the operators of the tank-trucks. "During 1955 the Inspectors from the Vancouver area, in addition to their more routine work, assisted in planning of dairy plants, interpreted regulations for the general public, attended, as witnesses, the Royal Commission on milk, held meetings with public health officials, Live Stock Inspectors, equipment-manufacturers, staff of the Dairy Department at the University of British Columbia, and others. " The year 1956 will probably continue the marked degree of changes within the dairy industry shown in 1955. It is anticipated that the number of farm holding-tanks will increase considerably. The introduction of systematic farm-grading, coupled with the milk-grading programme, should advantageously affect the quality of milk in the Vancouver area." SUMMARY OF PLANT INSPECTIONS, TESTS MADE, AND MEETINGS ATTENDED Dairy-plant inspections 854 Farm visits 698 Butter-fat check tests 3,553 Resazurin, sediment, and temperature tests 6,218 Whiteside tests 674 Lactometer and cryoscope tests 270 Verification tests 3 Reports and test cards sent to milk and cream producers 2,948 Milk-cans condemned 952 Examinations for milk-graders' licences 64 Plate counts and laboratory pasteurized counts 350 Meetings attended 154 SUMMARY New grade standards for milk effective October 1st, 1955, have helped to raise the quality of raw milk for pasteurizing. The outstanding feature of the year in respect to dairying was Justice J. V. Clyne's report, published in November, confirming the need for a new Milk Industry Act, which is now in the process of being drawn up. The industrial development now taking place within the Province and the consequent increase in population would indicate a continual demand for milk and milk products at a fair price. REPORT OF POULTRY BRANCH W. H. Pope, P.Ag., Poultry Commissioner The small but continued surplus of eggs during 1954 resulted in reduced Canadian production in 1955. British Columbia, being more sensitive to depressed producer egg prices because of higher production costs, suffered a greater cut-back than other pro- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 73 ducing areas. The results of laying-flock reduction in British Columbia started to be felt in early March, and production declined steadily to reach a seasonal low in July. British Columbia usually contributes approximately 10 per cent of the Canadian total of commercial eggs. In 1955, however, British Columbia produced only 8.25 per cent of Canada's total. For many years British Columbia's seasonal production has closely paralleled Canada's. Producers seem reluctant to take advantage of the consistently higher prices that exist between May and November. While in 1955 production was not typical, still Fig. 1 illustrates the close relationship between seasonal production in British Columbia and the rest of Canada. MARCH JUNE SEPTEMBER DECEMBER Weighted Price Canada Weighted Price B.C. THROUGH REGISTERED STATIONS ■CANADA PRODUCTION IN '000 CASES BRITISH COLUMBIA PRODUCTION IN '00 CASES (POULTRY PRODUCTS MARKET REPORT) Fig. 1. Commercial egg production, 1955. While British Columbia produced less than its normal amount of eggs in 1955, its position in the production of poultry-meat improved. British Columbia's poultrymen produced 8 per cent of the Canadian supplies going through registered grading stations in 1955, as compared to 6.5 per cent in 1954. The value of poultry-meat in 1954 for the first time substantially exceeded that of all eggs. In view of the higher prices received by the producers throughout 1955, it is inevitable that poultry-meat production will greatly surpass eggs in total value. MARKETS British Columbia provided an active market throughout the year, not only for all poultry products produced here, but also for produce from other Provinces and the United States. Since September, 1955, 12,439 cases of United States eggs were imported to help supply the demand. These eggs were marked in accordance with the " Eggs Marks Act." Receipts through Registered British Columbia Egg-grading Stations Year 1953 1954 1955 Cases Weighted Producer Price per Dozen 434,279 A6.14 538,490 37.5<* 461,367 A2.U HH 74 BRITISH COLUMBIA Inspected Imports and Exports Exports Cases Imports Cases Alaska 750 United States 12,439 Miscellaneous (ships' Interprovincial(Government- stores, etc.) 896 inspected shipments only) 71,283 United States 400 Total 2,046 Total 83,722 Two weekly market comments deserve mention here:— February 2nd, 1955, Weekly Egg and Poultry Market Report: "Egg price levels changed here this week, Grade A Large dropping 2 cents and Smalls moving up 1 cent. This will permit storing of surplus under Price Support." This sharp break was occasioned by the disposal of unprocessed floor surpluses from Manitoba and Saskatchewan on the Vancouver market by the Special Products Board. This ill-considered move resulted in a direct loss of revenue to British Columbia producers of in excess of $20,000 in the two-week period it took to dispose of these eggs. September 14th, 1955, Weekly Egg and Poultry Market Report: "Chain stores are featuring oil-processed eggs at 7 cents below fresh prices." While the price of oil- processed eggs at eastern points has been tied closely to the Board price, this is the first time a differential has been made in British Columbia. It is interesting to note that oil- processed eggs had been on this market since June. Prices generally have advanced steadily during the year. Heavy marketings during the first half (low-price period) of the year resulted in a weighted producer price of 42.1 cents per dozen, as compared to 37.6 in 1954 and 48.3 in 1953. Regulations affecting poultry products are administered by officials of the Canada Department of Agriculture by appointment under Provincial regulations. District Inspector Dave Browne submits the following breakdown of his staff's activities within the Province of British Columbia during 1955:— Activities of British Columbia Poultry Products Inspection Staff during 1955 Registration of egg-grading stations 67 Registered egg-grading station check inspections 316 Registration of poultry-grading, processing, producer- grader, and evisceration stations 65 Registered poultry-station check inspections 537 Retail-store check inspections—eggs and poultry 1,049 Frozen-egg plant inspections 76 Total pounds of eggs broken 418,626 Samples drilled 52 Samples analysed 181 Registration of frozen-egg plants 3 Producer-vendor farm visits 70 Inspections on imported eggs and poultry— Eggs (cases) 12.439 Poultry (lb.) 1,129,670 In addition to the foregoing brief outline of activities, officials of the Canada Department of Agriculture have co-operated in all matters designed to promote the welfare of the industry in British Columbia. Poultry-meat has enjoyed a particularly active market throughout the year. Storage stocks have been heavily drawn upon to meet the demand. Increasing processing and distribution costs have absorbed most of the increased retail prices. Returns to producers have been only fractionally higher than 1954. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 Poultry Marketings through Registered Stations HH 75 Year Chicken Fowl Turkey Duck Geese Total Under 4 Lb. Over 4 Lb 1953 1954 1955 Lb. 3,326,498 3,009,849 4,458,887 Lb. 1,007,615 1,095,231 1,069,684 Lb. 3,809,958 4,053,550 4,862,194 Lb. 2,876,295 3,632,919 4,906,854 Lb. 62,789 138,601 140,060 Lb. 23,027 18,255 56,782 Lb. 11,106,182 11,948,405 15,494,461 Movement of Dressed Poultry Product Inspected Imports, U.S.A. Inspected Imports, Interprovincial Inspected Exports, Interprovincial Lb. 22.618 480 1,084,535 22,037 Lb. 173,626 92,002 557,554 2,995 79,646 Lb. 10,617 9,118 102,446 Duck 854 Totals 1,129,670 925,823 123,035 FLOCK-APPROVAL POLICY On August 1st a meeting of all interested segments of the industry was held in the Court-house, Vancouver, to revise and rewrite the Flock Approval Rules and Regulations and to draft the new Advanced Turkey Approval Policy. Only minor changes were made to the Flock Approval Rules and Regulations. These were designed to simplify the procedure of issuing Flock Approval Certificates and to provide for a more effective method of collecting blood-test fees. Inspector Gasperdone supervised flock-approval field work in the Fraser Valley and Vancouver Island, and reports as follows:— " Poultry-flock approval has been one of the major projects of the New Westminster office. Scheduling, record-keeping, collection of accounts, issuing of permits, tabulating of statistical data, and ordering of supplies were all part of the approval programme carried out." The field approval work was performed by Inspectors N. J. Supeene, F. Wilkinson, H. K. Arnould, A. Kyle, and, to a lesser extent, C. W. Wood and H. Gasperdone. Inspectors Supeene and Wilkinson have done all the approval in turkey flocks. The testers employed were R. C. Britt, W. Brookes, H. Hamre, S. R. McAninch, N. F. McDonald, A. Mufford, and J. W. English. Reinspection of the breeding flocks was carried out by Messrs. Gasperdone, Supeene, and Wood. The technical aspects of pullorum testing were supervised by Dr. J. C. Bankier. During the year two general meetings of the staff engaged in this programme were held—the first on August 8th at the University of British Columbia, at which the technical aspects of this work were reviewed, and the second on December 29th at the Court-house in New Westminster, at which the Poultry Commissioner discussed the changes for 1956 in the administration of the policy. Because of the year-round operation of many hatcheries, chiefly for broiler production, flock approval has now become a year-round project. During the first six months of the year 52,982, or one-sixth, of the year's total birds were tested. The total number of poultry approved (291,998) (see table below) compares favourably with past years and would indicate that there should be no great shortage of hatching-eggs this coming season. HH 76 BRITISH COLUMBIA Flock Approval, 1951-55 Year Number of Flocks Approved Number of Birds Pullorum-tested Percentage of Reactors 1951 .. _ 1952 . .... 398 453 636 328 254 300,000 234,602 276,521 351,507 291.998 0.022 0.001 1953 _ 1954 0.28 0.20 1955._ 0.0075 Twenty-two chickens, or 0.0075 per cent, reacted positive to the R.W.B. field test (see above table). Of these, four were sent to the pathology laboratory for confirmation: two were positive, one negative, and for one the results, at this date, were not available. A total of 254 flocks were approved as breeding flocks in 1955. This is a definite decrease in flock numbers but indicates the number of birds per farm per year has increased. This is partially due to the fact that many of the breeders, being used for production of broiler chicks, are being completely replaced about every six months. Poultry-flock Approval by Breed Breed January to June July to December Total 29,821 12,459 2,394 3,834 75 1,973 1,113 88,741 93,590 19,387 15,687 8,778 6,292 2,351 2,645 1,529 16 118,562 S.C White Leghorn . -. 106,049 White Plymouth Pnrk 21,781 19,521 8,853 8,265 3,464 2,645 Hampbar _ _ _ A.O.V.2 929 384 2,458 400 Totals 52,982 239,016 291,998 1 Mainly for the production of broiler chicks. 2 Barneveld, Black Minorca, Columbian Plymouth Rock, and Jersey Black Giants. Flock approval by breed as shown in the above table does not indicate a true picture of the popularity of the various breeds. A large number of the New Hampshires and most of the White Rocks and Cross-breds are being used mainly for the production of broiler chicks. The Cross-breds include many of the synthetic breeds chiefly originating on the breeding plants in the United States. In the past year the Leghorn has gained in popularity in commercial egg-production flocks. Turkey Approval The Advanced Turkey Approval Policy was designed to improve the uniformity of the birds selected for breeding stock. Participation in this programme is voluntary, and the rules and operating regulations are to be determined at general meetings by the flock-owners. It is anticipated that by this method a greater degree of selection pressure may be applied than by the establishment of minimum standards. This type of selection is more costly as a number of repeat calls are necessary to complete the selection of different age-groups. Turkey-flock approval under the regulations is still available. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 77 Turkey Flocks Pullorum-tested and Approved Year Flocks Birds 1951 53 28,220 1952 55 17,631 1953 44 18,764 19,775 28,228! 1954 34 1955 _ 43 1 This figure is for the full calendar year. July to December total, 21,534. A total of 28,228 turkeys were approved during 1955. This represents a sizeable increase over the three preceding years. It will be noted that 21,534 of these were tested in the latter part of the year. These birds, in addition to those tested in early 1956, will be used as breeders this coming hatching season. The figure of 21,534 in itself is an increase over the number of turkeys approved during the past three years. This work recommenced in September. While there are no past records for comparison, this was an extremely early start and can be attributed to the age qualification for approval under the new policty. Turkey-flock Approval by Breed Breed January to June July to December Total 6,002 455 20,406 681 308 118 21 26,408 Beltsville Small Whites- 681 455 Jersey Buff 308 White Holland. . 91 121 25 209 142 25 Total 6,694 21,534 28,228 From the above table it is interesting to note that 26,408 of the total turkeys approved were Broad Breasted Bronze. Arrangements were concluded in December for the Department to assume responsibility for the pullorum testing of the approved flocks. As of January 1st, 1956, all testers formerly engaged by the Poultry Testing Fund will be employed by the Department of Agriculture on a temporary basis. VACCINE DISTRIBUTION As in the past, the distribution of vaccine has been handled from the New Westminster office. A total of thirty-four veterinarians and pharmacists were supplied with their requirements of vaccine. Summary of Vaccine Distribution Brand Newcastle Infectious Bronchitis Combined Newcastle- Infectious Bronchitis Lederle (ocular type) Lederle (dust type) Connaught (spray type)- Vineland (water type)..-. Salsbury's (water type) — Total distribution- (Doses) 936,100 43,500 540,500 43,000 33,000 1,596,000 (Doses) 40,000 4,000 44,000 (Doses) 67,000 397,000 65,500 27,000 556,500 HH 78 BRITISH COLUMBIA The above table summarizes the distribution of vaccine according to brand, type, and vaccine. Two new types and brands were made available during the past year. In May, Lederle dust-type; October, Vineland water type; and November, Salsbury's water-type vaccines were distributed. In all, 5,135 units or a total of 2,196,600 doses of vaccine were distributed. The greatest single month's distribution was in March—280,450 doses or 789 units. The cost of vaccine to producers was sharply reduced during the year. HATCHERY OPERATIONS A. J. Darby, Canada Department of Agriculture, reports as follows:— " Eighty-two hatcheries were registered and produced baby chicks during 1955, while a further twenty-five were registered as turkey-hatcheries. However, there is some overlapping in these cases, and the total would be approximately 100 hatcheries in operation rather than the 107 that these figures total. " Some 325 inspections were made during the course of the year, although actually this number was exceeded as some visits were made and regular inspection reports not completed. "Approximately twenty of the above-mentioned hatcheries have operated practically on a year-round basis—that is, this number have operated for ten to twelve months of the year—and it will be understood, of course, that a fair number of hatcheries only operate for perhaps two months during the spring months. In the case of these hatcheries, perhaps only one or two inspections were made, while concerns in steady operation are visited six or more times per year." Production and Distribution of Chicks Hatched, 1951-55 Year Hatched Exported Imported Destroyed Sold in Province 1951.- . 6,234,426 5,852,539 7,018,569 7,181,710 7,165,881 750,991 522,746 346,669 603,580 315,078 117,684 155,340 180,382 595,950 841,368 792,812 1,268,426 1,284,000 5,005 169 1952 1953 1954 4,643,765 6,059,470 4,965,212 19551 220,000 5,566,710 1 Figures for 1955 show that 9,977,655 eggs had been incubated with a hatchability of 72 per cent. This is an increase of 1.9 per cent in hatchability. Chicks Hatched by Breeds Breed 1953 1954 1955 to June 30th 2,370,843 1,173,690 1,372,997 67,771 100,382 2,873,631 1,475,404 2,144,518 182,295 131,813 102,498 289,551 1,799,012 1,412,152 1,691,949 141,325 132,115 83,108 106,965 200,967 Production and Distribution of Poults 20,000 destroyed. Year Hatched Exported Imported Sold in Province 1951 356,069 464,202 345,519 506,605 496.3281 50,237 156,252 165,716 161,140 73,335 305 832 1952 6,600 17,560 113,825 314,550 1953 ... 1954 197,363 459,290 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 DISTRICT OFFICES AND STAFF PLACEMENTS HH 79 Two new district offices were opened in 1955 and a position for a Poultry Inspector on Vancouver Island was established. Inspector Wood's office was moved from Vernon to a temporary location in Kelowna in February, and to permanent quarters in the Provincial Building upon its completion in August. This move was made in anticipation of increased poultry production in the southern portion of the Okanagan Valley. Inspector Supeene was moved from New Westminster to Abbotsford in April, when a new office was opened for that area. This new office has been well used by the industry in the upper portion of the valley, and there have been requests for a still further extension of the service. Inspector Gasperdone was moved from Vernon to New Westminster. It was anticipated that the establishment of the Abbotsford office would lessen the demands on New Westminster, but to date there is no evidence of this happening. The position of Poultry Inspector—Grade 2 at Nanaimo is being advertised for the second time. Kelowna Office Emphasis has been placed on extension in the Okanagan, and Inspector Wood's reports show 751 visits to farms and 176 visits to killing plants, hatcheries, grading- stations, and feed companies. He reports in part as follows:— "Aside from the Okanagan Valley and Kamloops districts, some attempt was made to give assistance to poultrymen in other sections of the Interior. Two trips were made to the East and West Kootenays, although the latter trip was largely taken up with flock- approval work. One trip was made through the Arrow Lakes district and the Slocan area. Two trips were made to Revelstoke. One trip was made to the Peace River, at which time some service was given to the Quesnel and Williams Lake districts. " The West Kootenay and Peace River areas of British Columbia are particularly fertile fields for poultry extension. Both of these districts are low-producing areas and do not supply 50 per cent of the local markets, although in these areas low-cost feed-grains are available locally. " Interest in the poultry industry generally and in the production of eggs in particular among farmers throughout the district is becoming more widespread. Probably the greatest increase in numbers of poultry on farms is occurring in the southern sections of the district on small fruit-farms, where the fruit-grower is looking for an agricultural enterprise that can be readily combined with fruit-growing. Many more of the new poultry enterprises are the result of retired people, particularly from the Prairie Provinces, looking for some form of supplementary income as well as a profitable means of utilizing time." The bulk of the egg sales are on a producer-wholesaler basis. A small spring and early summer surplus depresses prices out of proportion to its size. A satisfactory method of disposing of these reoccuring surpluses would greatly improve market conditions. Turkey production increased greatly in 1955, with in excess of 10,000 market birds grown and marketed locally. This figure excludes 21,000 turkeys raised at Princeton and marketed on the Coast. Flock-approval operations in the Okanagan and in the West Kootenay were supervised by the Kelowna office. HH 80 BRITISH COLUMBIA Summary of Interior Flock Approval Year Total Birds Approved Average Number of Approved Birds per Flock Males Banded Females Banded R.O.P. Approved Hens Pullets 1951-52 1952-53. __ 1953-54 1954-55. ..... 1955-561 32,543 26,335 31,745 27,965 21,821 374 351 412 336 389 1,180 1,006 1,407 925 1,241 628 453 230 407 311 3,950 3,229 3,994 3,966 1,934 26,785 21,667 26,114 22,667 18,335 i Complete to December 31st, 1955. Approximately six flocks and 1,500 birds still to be tested. Five-year Summary of Approval by Breeds Breed 1951-52 1952-53 1953-54 1954-55 1955-561 S.C. White Leghorn . - 14,653 10,780 1,025 1,269 240 2,954 335 77 1,210 10,964 8,162 1,637 1,517 1,781 192 98 2,004 12,777 8,462 3,438 3,857 378 702 216 295 1,620 11,058 7,675 2,446 5,199 782 503 200 75 619 8,219 New Hampshire — 6,147 3,520 2,884 White Plymouth Rock 422 466 137 11 Miscellaneous 15 Totals 32,543 26,335 31,745 27,965 21,821 i Complete to December 31st, 1955. Approximately six flocks and 1,500 birds still to be tested. Abbotsford Office The placement of a Poultry Inspector in Abbotsford has been welcomed by the producers in the Upper Fraser Valley. In addition to being responsible for the field approval of the majority of the turkeys entered under the policy, Inspector Supeene has made 284 calls on producers from Aldergrove to Hope since July 1st. The general shift of the concentration of poultry from the municipalities adjacent to Vancouver toward the upper valley will place a greater load on this office. New Westminster Since the first of the year this office has assumed increased responsibility for flock approval and vaccine distribution, and, being located close to large-consumption areas, is in closer contact with processing and distribution problems than are the other offices. Inspector Gasperdone has done excellent work in supervising the field work in connection with flock approval, and since July 1st has made 240 calls on producers in the Lower Fraser Valley. POULTRY RESEARCH 1. Biologic Assay of Commercial Poultry-feeds.—For the second year the Department of Poultry Science, University of British Columbia, has carried out a programme of determining in terms of growth units the biologic value of certain classes of commercial poultry-feeds. This work is comparable to that routinely used in some areas of the Eastern United States and by the Bureau of Standards for the Union of South Africa. 2. Turkey Research.—A study designed to provide information and illustrative material relative to the incubation of turkey eggs was undertaken by Dr. A. Hicks, Assistant Professor, Department of Poultry Science, University of British Columbia. 3. Bacterial Spoilage of Commercial Eggs.—This study is in its third year at the British Columbia Research Council. The work done by Dr. Paul Trussel and his associ- J DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 81 ates has yielded much information on the causes of egg spoilage. The present phase of the study is designed to determine practical methods of eliminating spoilage factors. BRITISH COLUMBIA POULTRY INDUSTRIES COUNCIL Under its Chairman, Professor J. Biely, this organization has been actively engaged in attempting to arrive at the solution of many problems confronting British Columbia's poultry industry. The Council is composed of representatives from all phases of the industry, with the single exception of the produce trade. Being so constituted, the Council's opinions are representative of the major portion of the poultry industry. POULTRY TESTING FUND From 1937 until January 1st, 1956, all operations connected with the pullorum testing of poultry blood samples have been carried on by the Fund. Since 1951 to the present time the Fund has also assumed financial responsibility for the distribution of certain poultry vaccines. The distribution of these vaccines also contributed to a small annual surplus in the Fund. Substantial grants for the purpose of poultry research, additional laboratory facilities, and other projects, as well as small grants to different organizations carrying out undertakings considered to be of value to the industry as a whole, have been made from the surplus that has accumulated. Arrangements have been finalized to establish a board of trustees composed of representative members of the poultry industry to administrate this Fund. SHORT COURSES Poultry Servicemen's Short Course.—In January a two-day short course was designed to bring to those persons engaged in poultry-service work the latest information consistent with sound management practices. Members of the feed, pharmaceutical, and supply industries were invited to attend. While it was originally intended to limit attendance to twenty-four, advance enrolments were so much in excess of that number that different arrangements had to be made. Speakers included J. Miller, Dr. C. Hamilton, and Carl Svinth, from Washington State, and Dr. John Crawley, from Ontario, in addition to officials of the Provincial and Canada Departments of Agriculture and the University of British Columbia. Broiler Short Course.—In co-operation with the Department of Extension and the Department of Poultry Science, University of British Columbia, a practical broiler- producers' short course was held in November. Unfortunately the unseasonably cold weather at that time made it impossible for many of the growers to leave their farms. Attendance, therefore, was below that anticipated. POULTRY SHOWS, FIELD-DAYS, CONVENTIONS, AND MEETINGS Members of the Poultry Branch staff actively participated in five major poultry shows and numerous local fairs and field-days. Inspectors Supeene and Gasperdone attended the Breeders' Round Table Conference in Pullman, Wash. W. H. Pope, Poultry Commissioner, represented the Department at the Hatchery Convention in Regina in September and the Poultry Branch at the British Columbia Federation of Agriculture Convention in Vernon. Many meetings of poultry organizations, show committees, Poultry Industries Council, and 4-H Clubs were attended throughout the year. GRADE Al EGGS At least two larger egg-grading stations have made a determined effort to place Canada's premium grade of eggs on the local market. It was anticipated that a premium HH 82 BRITISH COLUMBIA of not less than 5 cents per dozen could be received from consumers. Additional production and handling costs reduces this premium to about 1 cent extra return to the producer. With the relatively high prices during the second half of 1955, few producers have found this premium sufficiently attractive to make the necessary capital expenditures. FEED-GRAINS Due entirely to the high cost of feed-grains from terminals, a substantial number of producers had grain trucked from Creston and the Peace River. It was possible for these men to pay $30to$35a ton for No. 3 and No. 4 grade wheat on the farm, trucking charges of $12.50 per ton (from Creston), and still make a very considerable saving. The supply of feed-grains has remained good throughout the year, but the high price to domestic users was partially responsible for the 9-per-cent cut-back in British Columbia's laying flocks. Reduced domestic feed-grain prices would assure maintenance of at least the present relationship between production and demand. CONCLUSION While the effects of production surplus to immediate demand in 1954 had a depressing effect on the British Columbia poultry industry during the first half of 1955, the strengthening markets from July on brought returns to the producers up to a reasonable level. The Poultry Branch is investigating a number of potential avenues by which new information and new methods can be demonstrated to producers. A programme to determine ways and methods of taking fuller advantage of the geographic location of the existing markets and producing areas is being studied. Appendices Nos. 18, 19, and 20 give further interesting statistics dealing with the poultry industry. REPORT OF FIELD CROPS BRANCH CROP PRODUCTION Cereals Total production of cereal-crops will be down this year. The Peace River District experienced dry weather in May and June which severely reduced yields below average. A severe hail-storm also caused damage to 15,000 acres in the Dawson Creek area. Elsewhere in the Province the cool, late spring delayed seeding, followed by dry May and June, which reduced yields. Acreage in wheat continued to decline with an increase in coarse grains. There was a sharp increase in acreage seeded to Durum wheat in the Creston Flats. Fall wheat in the North Okanagan was well below average, while spring- seeded cereals were about average. Throughout the Central Interior, production of cereals was generally below average. Favourable harvesting weather prevailed in most areas so that quality of grain was good. Congested storage-space in elevators has seriously curtailed marketing in the two Wheat Board designated areas, and most of the grain is still stored on the farm. There has been some movement of grain by truck from the two areas to farms in other parts of the Province for feeding. Hay and Pasture The cool, late spring delayed growth of grass and legumes so that pastures were two to three weeks later than normal, but good rains in June and July carried these well DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 83 into the summer. During August dry-land pastures declined in production, particularly at the Coast. Likewise, first cutting of hay was delayed, and then rainy weather set in so that tonnage was good, but quality of most was reduced. Second-cut hay-crops were lighter, particularly alfalfa in the Okanagan, but quality is good. The preservation of first-cut grass as silage continues to increase, and this year, particularly where first cut was removed early as silage, a good second cut of hay was put up under favourable curing conditions. There are generally adequate supplies of feed on the farm. However, because of the early fall in all areas the feeding period will undoubtedly be longer this year. Grassland Clubs continued to function in the Province this year and have played an important part in the general improvement in forage production, including grass mixtures, fertility, and management. Production of Registered and Certified Seed The inspection and certification of cereal- and forage-crop seeds are carried out by the Plant Products Division, Canada Department of Agriculture, under the regulations of the " Seeds Act." The following table lists the number of acres and the estimated production of varieties inspected in British Columbia in 1955, the largest acreage being located in the Peace River Block:— Variety Barley— Gateway Olli Vantage Wolfe Oats— Abegweit__-_ Ajax Eagle Rodney Victory Wheat— Kharkov Saunders Selkirk Thatcher Flax- Marine Redwing Redwood ____ Victory Alfalfa- Grimm Ladak Rhizoma Brome-grass. Duraturf creeping red fescue Creeping red fescue 2,764.0 Crested wheat-grass Sweet clover LaSalle red clover Acres Estimated Production (Bu.) 0.5 25 237.0 9,270 19.0 800 18.0 385 41.5 2,410 3.0 110 6.0 320 12.0 2,400 78.0 3,620 12.0 360 130.0 4,045 37.0 1,260 108.0 2,760 9.0 250 158.0 1,650 86.5 1,650 6.0 72 77.0 55.0 660.0 250.0 24,200 11.0 3,000 764.0 464,350 20.0 4,000 40.0 12,000 5.0 500 HH 84 BRITISH COLUMBIA Forage-crop Seed Unfavourable weather conditions drastically reduced the yield of alfalfa-seed in the Peace River. Poor harvesting conditions in the Fraser Valley were mainly responsible for low yields of double-cut red clover. In general, other grass- and legume-seed production is about normal. The production of LaSalle red clover has increased considerably this year. The following table gives in summary the estimated forage-seed production for 1955 and production for 1954:— Estimated Production, Production, 1954 1955 (Lb.) (Lb.) Alfalfa 150,000 50,000 Red clover (single) . 105,000 Red clover (double) 36,000 LaSalle red clover 2,850 Alsike clover 400,000 Sweet clover 375,000 Timothy 279,000 Timothy-alsike mixture 116,000 Brome 112,500 Creeping red fescue 700,000 Reed canary-grass 5,500 Orchard-grass 2,600 Red-top 23,000 Spring vetch 8,000 Fall vetch 3,300 Intermediate wheat-grass 700 Merion blue-grass Russian wild rye 365,000 150,000 13,000 400,000 650,000 200,000 150,000 50,000 750,000 1,000 1,500 35,000 1,050 1,000 Seed Improvement Foundation-stock seeds produced by the Agronomy Department of the University of British Columbia and distributed to growers through this Branch included: Victory oats, 1,850 pounds; Vantage barley, 1,300 pounds; Dawson's golden chaff wheat, 550 pounds; and Storm rye, 1,100 pounds. Cereal Variety Trials Cereal variety tests were conducted in the Edgewood district on the farm of K. Edgell in co-operation with the District Agriculturist and the Agassiz Experimental Farm. The following is the summary of results at the conclusion of the three years under test:— Results of Spring Wheat Variety Trials (Yields in bushels per acre.) Variety 1953 1954 1955 3-year Average Redman- Thatcher— Saunders _ Lee Garnet Regent Cascade.— Red Bobs Marquis.— 55.4 58.9 54.3 47.0 46.9 46.0 37.7 40.0 24.0 34.7 27.3 30.3 31.5 31.5 29.3 32.4 27.1 24.6 21.1 21.7 20.1 20.7 16.7 15.7 20.7 13.7 14.1 37.06 35.96 34.90 33.06 31.70 30.33 30.26 26.93 20.93 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 85 Yield results only are given here. In using the weight per bushel, total pound yields per acre for the varieties are in the same order as above. No lodging occurred except in 1953, and there was not too much indication of differences in straw strength of the first three varieties. Redman, Thatcher, and Saunders are the varieties now recommended for the district. Results of Oat Variety Trials (Yields in bushels per acre.) Variety 1953 1954 1955 3-year Average Eagle. — Victory Abegweit- Ajax 151.1 146.1 133.51 138.6 74.6 74.3 75.3 68.2 76.1 71.3 73.7 65.8 100.6 97.2 94.2 90.8 1 Yield on one replicate only. There was not much difference in yields from oat varieties tested. The variety Eagle gave the highest yields and is recommended for the district. Ajax is slightly earlier in maturity. Results of Barley Variety Trials (Yields in bushels per acre.) Variety 1953 1954 1955 3-year Average 96.9 85.3 52.4 52.7 38.1 42.1 35.5 34.9 39.1 62.5 60.0 OUi 64.3 47.9 49.2 52.3 43.5 43.6 Husky. 39.11 i Husky tested for one year only. Vantage and Trebi are the varieties recommended for the district. Results of Rate of Seeding Trials with Oats Rate 1953 1954 1955 3-year Average Average, 1954-55 138.4 129.3 81.6 92.1 88.4 70.6 78.7 73.3 96.9 97.0 76.1 85.4 80.8 Over three years of testing, no difference in yield was obtained between the 60-pound and 120-pound rate of seeding. Over two years of testing, the 90-pound rate was superior to the 60-pound and 120-pound. The 90-pound to 100-pound rate of seeding of oats for grain is recommended for the district. Fertilizer trials were also conducted on wheat over the three-year period. There was no significant difference in yields obtained as a result of fertilizer applied. Potatoes Only 9,400 acres of commercial potatoes were planted this year, about 8 per cent less than in 1954. Late blight in the Coast areas was fairly severe, particularly where preventive chemicals were not used, and caused reduction in marketable yield. The early fall frost also caused some losses. Strong competition from imported United States potatoes seriously affected returns to the grower, particularly in summer and early fall. HH 86 BRITISH COLUMBIA Acreage in seed-potatoes increased slightly this year. The following list of varieties and inspected acreage is supplied through the Federal Seed Potato Inspection Service:— Variety Acreage Variety Acreage Bliss Triumph 0.50 Kennebec 25.90 Canus 4.35 Netted Gem 1,507.43 Columbia Russet 4.35 Pontiac 30.25 Early Epicure 47.97 Red Warba 0.25 Early Rose 15.00 Sebago 3.00 Gold Coin 16.10 Warba 100.80 Green Mountain 46.50 Wee McGregor 0.30 Irish Cobbler 5.00 White Rose 129.43 Katahdin 21.50 Keswick 1.50 Total 1,960.13 The main areas of production are also given, with approximate acreage inspected in 1955 (1954 acreage in parentheses): Vancouver Island, 114 (150); Lower Mainland, 713 (627); Pemberton, 214 (202); Okanagan, 188 (213); Cariboo, 85 (117); Central British Columbia, 26 (20); Boundary District, 478 (310); East and West Kootenays, 141 (84). Oceanside Test-plots Seed-potato samples were again assembled by this Branch, treated, and shipped to the Oceanside plots. One hundred and nine samples of 200 seed-pieces each were sent in by eighty-three growers. The samples were planted at the Oceanside testing-ground on November 19th and 20th. Disease readings will be taken in February so results can be given wide publicity to growers and buyers of seed-potatoes before planting-time. Field Peas There was a large increase of dried field peas in the Okanagan and Creston areas, with an estimated production of 1,300 and 2,100 tons respectively. There is a firm demand for disease-free pea-seed in the English market. Field Crop Union Membership in the Field Crop Union was forty-five this year, with thirty-five tests distributed. Changes were made this year in procedure of distributing tests to the grower, whereby the members could get larger quantities of selected seeds of cereals and forage mixtures. SOIL AND SOIL FERTILITY General fertilizer demonstration-plots were again laid down in several districts in co-operation with District Agriculturists. In addition, some special fertilizer plots were conducted with major and minor elements, including copper, zinc, iron, and molybdenum deficiencies in oats, magnesium deficiency in early potatoes, and fertilizer ratio tests on grasslands. In co-operation with the Extension Branch and the Agricultural Engineering Division, tillage trials were continued in the Duncan area. Yield data have been obtained for 1954 only and cost data are available on two years' work. Another demonstration strip-cropping field is laid out in the Bridesville area in combination with a terracing project by the Engineering Division. The rotation will be completed in the spring of 1956, and progress reports are available as information is completed. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 87 Soil and Forage Analyses The Soil Analyst reports as follows:— " There were 2,575 soil samples analysed in 1955. Analyses are made for available nitrogen, phosphorus, potash, and calcium by the Spurway rapid-test method. pH readings and, in some cases, conductivity readings are also made. A large number of greenhouse samples were tested in 1955 and results forwarded to W. D. Christie. Results of all farm samples are reported back through the district agricultural office concerned. "There were 276 forage samples analysed in 1954-55. Analyses were made for crude protein and moisture on samples of grain, hay, and silage of farm samples submitted by District Agriculturists. pH determinations were also made on silage. A summary report of the 1954-55 analyses was prepared for distribution. In the 1955-56 season it is anticipated approximately 300 samples will be analysed. The majority of these will be farm samples of silage submitted by the District Agriculturists. The information obtained from the forage analyses is proving most interesting and informative." Agricultural Lime Tonnage of agricultural lime used for soil-amendment purposes was about the same as last year. In 1955, 25,857 tons were distributed under the Federal-Provincial Lime Subsidy Policy. The following is a five-year summary of movement of agricultural lime and subvention paid:— Table 1 Fiscal Year Total Number of Applications Approved Total Amount of Subsidy Recommended Total Tonnage Used 1950-51 _. . 1951-52 ... . - 1,810 1,827 2,243 1,590 1,450 $42,589.93 55,387.51 69,974.18 52,458.01 48,503.42 26,235.06 31,154.17 1952 53 . — . 38,917.55 1953-54 _ 1954-55- - 28,239.24 24,702.45 Table 2 Fiscal Year Ground Limestone Hydrated Lime Marl Carbide Residue Gypsum Oyster- shell Total Tonnage 1950-51 Tons Tons 8,412.20 | 42.50 6,125.40 | 131.17 8,595.22 117.42 8.837.63 1 52.50 Tons 17,746.11 22,051.05 27,926.15 18,584.02 18,300.86 Tons Tons 34.25 Tons 59.0 68.0 3.5 78.0 26,235.06 31,154.17 38,917.55 28,325.15 1951-52- 1952-53 1953-54 .. .. 2,637.0 2,020.5 732.0 1,125.0 150.55 190.25 115.50 408.50 1954-55 4,717.85 72.25 24,702.45 Fertilizer and Agricultural Poisons Board One meeting of the Fertilizer and Agricultural Poisons Board was held with the trade to approve the mixes for the year. These include: 0-12-20, 2-15-15, 2-16-6, 4-10-10, 6-8-6 (organic), 6-30-15, 8-10-5, and 10-20-10. The Board also made certain recommendations to the Federal Department of Agriculture in respect to proposed changes in the Fertilizer Act. The Board also discussed with the trade the present fertilizer ratio mixes and instigated further work on suggested new fertilizers to replace some of the present mixes; included were 5-25-25, 15-15-10, and 10-20-20. HH 88 BRITISH COLUMBIA WEED-CONTROL During the past season three Weed Inspectors were appointed—two in the Peace River and one in the Pemberton District. The Department of Highways increased the roadside spraying for weed and brush control. In some districts, pressure of other work prevented highway-maintenance crews from doing as much spraying as was proposed or spraying was done late. The Maintenance Engineer, Department of Highways, reports that 1,250 miles of road was treated this year, amounting to over 2,000 acres of right-of- way. One of the major projects in the Pemberton area this year was control of weeds on roadsides. The Weed Inspectors in the Peace River report as follows:—■ "The Department of Highways sprayed more than 135 miles on both sides of the roads (north of the Peace River), and they did it at the right time and used the proper amount of chemical to get a good kill of weeds." On the south side of the Peace River, " the Department of Highways has done an excellent job in keeping the road allowance sprayed. They have sprayed approximately 300 miles. All roads reported were immediately sprayed by them." Most of the treatments reported were sprays containing 2,4-D or 2,4,5-T, but some burning was done and some small patches of roadside weeds were treated with soil sterilants. In addition, 92 miles of highway shoulders were treated with a CMU product. In most areas, particularly in the grain-growing sections, the use of weed chemicals is increasing for weed-control, with an estimated 100,000 acres treated. Federal-Provincial Weed Survey The weed survey of the major agricultural areas of Vancouver Island was completed this year. This survey is a joint project with the Botany Division, Science Service, Canada Department of Agriculture. An infestation of tansy ragwort in the Nanaimo area was carefully mapped and recorded. Other weeds common to the district were recorded. The weed-control calendar was revised this year to bring it up to date in accordance with newer information compiled over the past few years. Weed-control Trials We have continued trial work with the newer weed-control chemicals, testing some over wider conditions, while some of the chemicals are relatively new. This year we had several such trials on Vancouver Island, Fraser Valley, North Okanagan, and Peace River. These chemicals include 2,4-D, MCP, dinitro compounds, TCA, IPC, and CIPC, CMU, PCP, borates, chlorates, and borate-chlorate mixtures, Alanap, Dalapon, Cyanamid. Many of these trials are preliminary and must be repeated before definite control practices can be recommended. As more information is proven, practical recommendations are passed on to the farmer. GRAIN SCREENINGS In the period January 1st to December 31st, twelve permits for removal of screenings were issued. During the same period twenty-eight feeders' permits have been issued. The use of screenings for devitalization remains fairly steady (see Appendix No. 21). Appendix No. 22 gives in summary the movement of screenings from British Columbia elevators for the period January 1st to December 31st. PRIZE-WINNERS AT THE TORONTO ROYAL WINTER FAIR Again this year, exhibits from British Columbia growers won high awards at the Toronto Royal Winter Fair. Bert Young, of Koksilah, placed first in the six-rowed barley class and was reserve champion. D. Galbraith, Ladner, was reserve champion in the forage-seed class; Francis DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 89 S. Pincosy, Salmon Arm, was reserve champion in the potato class and champion in the potato-chips special class; Alfred L. Needoba, Salmon Arm, was reserve champion in the latter class. First four places in the Netted Gem seed-potato class were taken by British Columbia growers. Others placing well up in the various classes were B.C. Pea Growers, Sunset Seed Company Limited, Alfred L. Needoba, and Francis S. Pincosy, of Salmon Arm; D. Galbraith, R. B. Coleman, and R. Reynolds, of Ladner; K. Dodds, Fort St. John; and J. O. Decker and Ross Brothers, Pemberton. REPORT OF FARMERS' INSTITUTES L. W. Johnson, Superintendent During the year 1955 two new Institutes were incorporated—Roe Lake in District "H " on March 28th and Mayne Island in District "A" on September 15th—bringing the total number of Institutes in the Province to 185. However, fifteen Institutes have been inactive for some considerable time. This is due mainly to the fact that most of the members are working at the more profitable occupation of lumbering and only go home to their farms on week-ends. The latest annual returns from Institutes on file in the Department show that even with a decrease in membership the active Institutes are continuing to increase their operations on behalf of their members. Figures showing receipts, expenditures, assets, and liabilities for the years 1952, 1953, and 1954 are as follows:— 1952 1953 1954 Receipts Expenditures- Assets Liabilities $1,191,159.50 1,053,618.41 429,613.67 83,256.17 $1,197,941.19 1,054,250.94 504,147.24 83,165.02 $1,267,447.20 1,105,306.71 547,359.41 100,361.17 The purchase of commodities on behalf of members continues to increase. Stump- ing-powder increased by $1,389.95, being $74,563.32 for the year. Other commodities, including feed, seed, fertilizers, gasoline, oil, hardware, etc., increased by $200,319.91, being $1,052,243.14 for the year. In eight of the ten districts the Departmental grants to Institutes were paid to the District Institutes, while in the other two districts—namely, " B " and " D "—the grants were made payable to the individual Institutes direct. DISTRICT INSTITUTES All districts, with the exception of District "H," held annual meetings, with the Superintendent in attendance at each. District " H " cancelled its meeting because of floods. HH 90 The president, BRITISH COLUMBIA place and dates of these meetings, together with the names of the elected secretary, and Advisory Board member, respectively, were as follows:-—■ District Place Date Officers Elected "A" " B " Nanaimo Houston September 24 June 21 and 22 W. H. Dunn, Cowichan Station; J. T. Neen, R.R. 3, Nanaimo; Brian Hoole, R.R. 2, Royal Oak. Emil Widen, Telkwa; A. Shelford, Wistaria; A. Shelford, " C " June 24 and 25 October 14 January 21 Wistaria. " D " T. E. Gerhardi, Fort Fraser. W. J. Charlton, Pritchard; G. W. Humphrey, Chase; L. Johnson, Heffley Creek. T. Kuhn, Cloverdale; J. C. MacKenzie, New Westminster; Ben Greer, R.R. 3, Aldergrove. " E "_ "P" _ New Westminster- " G " May 27 Wallace, Boswell. " H " , . burn, Salmon Arm. " I " June 1 June 17 - - Canim Lake. '* J " Aye, Jaffray. Henderson, Rolla. ADVISORY BOARD OF FARMERS' INSTITUTES The Advisory Board met in Victoria on February 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th, at the call of the Minister of Agriculture. One hundred and seven resolutions were considered by the Board, seventy-six being carried, twenty-one lost, seven withdrawn, and three tabled. Eight resolutions — dealing with such subjects as increased appropriations for agriculture, Farmers' Institutes and the Department of Agriculture, Forage Analysis Laboratory, grazing-lands control, river-bank erosion, working out taxes, rural electrification, and school taxes—were presented to the Select Standing Committee on Agriculture, and the following is this Committee's report to the Legislative Assembly:— Legislative Committee Room, March 10th, 1955. Mr. Speaker: Your Select Standing Committee on Agriculture begs leave to report as follows:— Your Committee met the Advisory Board of Farmers' Institutes and heard the presentation of a list of resolutions as submitted by them. Careful consideration was given to these resolutions, and:— (1) Your Committee recommends that an investigation be made to ascertain if any farm services are being curtailed due to lack of appropriations to the Department of Agriculture: (2) Your Committee recommends that the Superintendent of Farmers' Institutes spend more time visiting the various Institutes to encourage and stimulate interest so that the organization will grow and expand: (3) It is felt that some misunderstanding exists regarding the Forage Analysis Laboratory, in that this service is available to the individual farmer, whereas it was set up as a service to be used by the District Agriculturists in co-operation with the farmers so as to get a test of the general area, not a specific piece of land. However, your Committee recommends the expansion of this service under the Field Crops Branch: (4) After careful consideration by this Committee, it is felt in the best interests of this Province that grazing lands remain under the Department of Lands and Forests, where it is at the present time: (5) It is felt that every effort should be made to control erosion of our agricultural land, and realizing that the cost of preventing this erosion is prohibitive to the individual land-owner, this Committee urges that the department of Government involved continue to work toward a concrete policy and press the Federal Government for participation in this type of control work under the section of the " Prairie Farms Rehabilitation Act" and the "Conservation Act" of 1953: DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 91 (6) Where, due to physical or financial difficulties, certain farmers find it impossible to pay the taxes on their lands, or where the side-roads are not receiving adequate maintenance, your Committee recommends that farmers needing to work out their taxes be allowed to do so at the discretion of the Engineer or Minister concerned; that the Minister examine the possible economies to be obtained by using local farmers, loggers, or contractors on some types of road maintenance: (7) It is generally agreed that if we are to retain the services of the younger generation on the farms, and in agriculture, it is necessary that increased efforts be put forward by all power companies and the British Columbia Power Commission to extend rural electrification, and this Committee recommends that the British Columbia Power Commission do its utmost to electrify the rural areas: (8) As the results of equalization of assessments and the new school formula have not as yet been fully realized, this Committee feels it unwise to make any recommendation on the resolution dealing with school taxes on land. Respectfully submitted. L. H. Shantz, Chairman. EXHIBITIONS AND FALL FAIRS The year 1955 saw the fall fairs held in the Province decrease by two from the previous year, there being one Class A and three Class B exhibitions and sixty-nine fall fairs. These exhibitions and fairs, exclusive of the Pacific National Exhibition, paid out approximately $64,000 in prize-money. The places and dates of these exhibitions and fairs were as follows:-—■ Exhibitions Chilliwack August 15 to 17. Vancouver August 24 to September 5. Duncan September 8 to 10. Armstrong September 13 to 15. Fall Fairs Vancouver Island Mayne Island August 17. Coombs — August 26 and 27. Luxton August 27. Courtenay September 1 to 3. Saanichton September 3 and 5. Cobble Hill September 7. Alberni September 8 to 10. Sooke September 10. Lasqueti September 14. Nanaimo September 15 to 17. Ladysmith September 21 and 22. Fraser Valley Haney August 18 to 20. Gibsons August 19 and 20. Squamish September 5. Port Coquitlam September 5. Abbotsford September 7 to 9. Langley September 9 and 10. Hope September 10. North Delta September 14 and 15. HH 92 BRITISH COLUMBIA Agassiz September 16. North Burnaby September 16 and 17. Cloverdale September 16 and 17. Mission September 17. Powell River September 22 to 24. Aldergrove September 2 3. South Burnaby September 23 and 24. Ladner September 23 and 24. Vancouver September 30 and October 1. Okanagan-North Thompson Penticton August 19 and 20. Peachland August 26. Cawston September 1. Westbank September 2. Sicamous September 3. Chase September 5. Louis Creek September 5. Merritt September 5. Revelstoke September 5. Westwold September 5. East Kelowna September 7. Kelowna September 8 to 10. Oliver September 9 and 10. Grand Forks September 10. Lillooet September 15 and 16. Rock Creek September 21. Salmon Arm September 22 and 23. East and West Kootenays Invermere August 26 and 27. Natal September 2 and 3. Arrow Park September 3. Edgewood September 4 and 5. Fruitvale September 5. Rossland September 7 to 9. Crawford B ay September 14. Nelson September 15 to 17. Castlegar September 23 and 24. Creston September 23 and 24. Central British Columbia and Peace River Sunset Prairie August 10. North Pine August 17. Dawson Creek August 18 to 20. Williams Lake August 25 and 26. Fort Fraser August 27. Smithers August 27. McBride August 30 and 31. Burns Lake September 2 and 3. Prince George September 2, 3, and 5. Bridge Lake September 3. Bella Coola September 5. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 93 QuesneL Terrace- ..September 9 and 10. -September 9 and 10. Watch Lake September 10. POUND DISTRICTS Only five unorganized areas of the Province were constituted as pound districts during the year, namely:— Name of Pound District Date South Taylor Pound District The boundaries of three pound districts were extended, and fourteen pound-keepers were appointed this year. GRASSHOPPER-CONTROL AREAS The Department advanced moneys to seven Grasshopper-control Committees for the purpose of carrying out control measures, but due to the very slight infestations this year four Committees returned all of their advance, and the expenditures of the other three Committees were quite light. Control Area Advanced Clinton $ 1,000.00 Nicola Oliver-Osoyoos Princeton South Riske Creek- Thompson Valleys. Westbank 20,000.00 1,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 3,000.00 300.00 Refunded $1,000.00 20,000.00 1,000.00 1,600.00 1,778.37 3,000.00 166.10 Totals $29,300.00 $28,544.47 MISCELLANEOUS During the year your Superintendent addressed the Canadian Pharmaceutical Association's annual convention and met with the British Columbia Pharmaceutical Council on a number of occasions regarding the sale of poisons and drugs used exclusively in agriculture. Your Superintendent also addressed the Vancouver Gyro Club, opened several fall fairs, and attended and addressed a number of Farmers' Institutes and Fall Fair Association meetings. REPORT OF WOMEN'S INSTITUTES Stella E. Gummow, Superintendent Two new Institutes have been organized during the year—Lakeview Heights in the South Okanagan and Campbell River in the North Vancouver Island District—making the total 238 in the Province. Terrace has been inactive for some years and has now been taken off the roll, while Burns Lake seems to have difficulty in continuing. On the other HH 94 BRITISH COLUMBIA hand, Langford has reorganized successfully and has renovated its hall for use. A new district has been formed—the Kettle River District—made up of the western part of the West Kootenay, which makes sixteen districts in all. This tends to enable more and more women to attend the district meetings, which give inspiration and fresh interest. Reports received from 230 Women's Institutes for 1954 showed their total receipts $149,951.35 and their expenditures $103,096.16, with a membership of 5,400. Grant cheques for $10 each were sent to these Institutes. GENERAL PROGRESS AND SPECIAL PROJECTS The general picture of Women's Institute work is good, with a steady increase. Their community work is reflected in the higher standard of living conditions and better services in the rural areas. No problem of public interest is too large or too small for their attention, and the improvements as a result of their quiet campaigning for whatever their local need appears to be is noteworthy. The South Vancouver Island District, spurred by Craigflower Women's Institute, raised funds to donate a De Lorme exercising-table to the Jubilee Hospital at Victoria, the first to be installed to aid patients who have been victims of polio. The North Vancouver Island's project of a home for the aged at Courtenay has now been completed. The home has been opened and is making a valuable contribution to the welfare of the older citizens in that area. The Cariboo District combined in support of the new hospital at Quesnel, which was recently opened. The Provincial project under UNESCO was a demonstration centre for a village in Ceylon. This was sponsored by the Associated Country Women of the World in co-operation with the Women's Institutes of Ceylon. Each demonstration centre is equipped with sewing-machines, pressure-cookers, and modern cooking-utensils to help the Ceylon village women to raise their standard of living. Two other sewing-machines were also sent to Mysore, India, where the women and girls of India will receive instruction under the capable direction of Mrs. Kupperswamy, who was present at the Toronto conference in 1953. PROVINCIAL BOARD A meeting of the Provincial Board was held in October with all members present— Mrs. A. A. Shaw, president; Mrs. E. J. Roylance, vice-president; Mrs. T. Windt, Mrs. J. Decker, and Mrs. P. Douglas, directors; and Mrs. R. Doe, secretary-treasurer. The latter reported that the finances of the Institute are in a healthy state. The Othoa Scott Trust Fund, which is $10,000 invested in bonds, has a balance of $687 on hand from interest, and this is to be held to furnish a room or ward in the Queen Alexandra Solarium's new building which is to be erected this year. The sum of $15,000 is invested in Canadian bonds in the Women's Institute Memorial Fund and another $1,428 cash is on hand. The Home Economics scholarship of $250 was awarded this year to Edwina Aten, of Salmon Arm, and the $100 bursary in Agriculture was awarded this year for the first time and went to Tom Windt, of Alexandria. Plans were made for the biennial convention to be held at the University of British Columbia on May 29th, 30th, and 31st. This will coincide with the first across-Canada visit of Mrs. A. M. Berry, of Australia, president of the Associated Country Women of the World. Mrs. A. A. Shaw was appointed delegate to the conference of that group to be held in Ceylon during 1956, and Mrs. S. E. Gummow was appointed a second delegate. A highlight of the meeting was a visit by Miss Gwynedd Lloyd, lady-in-waiting to the Princess Royal and president of the Shropshire Women's Institutes. The Board visited the Queen Alexandra Solarium as guests of the Solarium Board. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 95 DISTRICT MEETINGS Fifteen district meetings were attended during the year, and these were outstanding in attendance and interest. A number of valuable resolutions were discussed and passed. These concerned roads, education, health services, clothing standards, rural electrification, telephones, etc. The dates of these meetings, with the names of president and secretary elected, are as follows:— April 1st, North Vancouver Island at Denman Island: Mrs. J. Smith, R.R. 1, Comox; Mrs. A. MacMillan, R.R. 1, Qualicum Beach. April 4th, Hopeline District at Hope: Mrs. O. France, Chilliwack; Mrs. R. Harrington, Abbotsford. April 5th, North Fraser at Mission: Mrs. M. Strachan, Mission; Mrs. O. E. Leaf, Whonock. April 6th, Douglas at White Rock: Mrs. D. McDougal, Fort Langley; Mrs. S. Holding, Langley Prairie. May 5th, North Thompson at Little Fort: Mrs. A. Stevens, Barriere; Mrs. B. Hansen, Little Fort. May 7th, North Okanagan and Salmon Arm at Salmon Arm: Mrs. R. Jones, Westwold; Mrs. A. C. Thompson, Westwold. May 10th, South Okanagan at Kelowna: Mrs. J. Bowen-Colthurst, Penticton; Mrs. Gordon Ritchie, West Summerland. May 14th, Arrow Lakes at Burton: Mrs. J. T. Kirkpatrick, Needles; Mrs. J. Lee, Arrow Park. May 17th, East Kootenay at Cranbrook: Mrs. E. Black, Flagstone; Mrs. G. Andestad, Wynndel. May 20th, West Kootenay at Grand Forks: Mrs. C. B. White, R.R. 1, Nelson; Mrs. W. L. Wright, Robson. June 22nd, Bulkley-Tweedsmuir at Houston: Mrs. L. Spencer, Perow; Mrs. F. Barnett, Houston. June 24th, Central Interior at Vanderhoof: Mrs. M. McLaren, Prince George; Mrs. G. Snell, Vanderhoof. June 28th, Cariboo at Horsefly (washed out because of floods; postponed meeting held July 14th at Dragon Lake): Mrs. M. Booth, Bouchie Lake; Mrs. A. Trudeau, Quesnel. July 5th, Peace River at Dawson Creek: Mrs. Gene Forster, Fort St. John; Mrs. Lyle Braden, Dawson Creek. September 23rd, South Vancouver Island at Colwood: Mrs. H. K. Emery, Colwood; Mrs. M. Cowan, Victoria. Floods in the Cariboo and washed-out roads prevented attendance at the district meeting planned for Horsefly. A partial meeting was held, with only those near by attending. A postponed meeting at Dragon Lake had present only those from the Northern Cariboo. However, the officers elected at Dragon Lake will carry on for the year. FEDERATED WOMEN'S INSTITUTES OF CANADA The meeting of the Federated Women's Institutes at Winnipeg from June 9th to 16th was attended. One of the highlights was a pilgrimage to the Peace Garden, where a picnic nook in memory of Mrs. Alfred Watt was dedicated. Your Superintendent had the honour of giving the tribute to Mrs. Watt as a member of the British Columbia Women's Institutes. Plans were made at this meeting for the first National convention to be held in 1957, and also for delegates to the Associated Country Women of the World in Ceylon in December, 1956. A cross-Canada tour for Mrs. Berry, president, was arranged to start in British Columbia in May, 1956. HH 96 BRITISH COLUMBIA The Federated Women's Institutes of Canada won the Henry Marshall Tory award for outstanding work in adult education, and this was presented at the meeting. INDIVIDUAL VISITS A number of Institutes were visited during the year, and these were Saltair, Brentwood, South Saanich, Strawberry Vale, Ridgedale, Wells, Fort St. John (with Baldonnel and Nor' Pioneer attending), Beatton River (with Montney, Pine View, and North Pine present), Doe River and Shearer Dale, Pouce Coupe, Quesnel View, Bouchie Lake, Langford for a reorganization meeting, Point Grey, Atchelitz (with Cannor attending), Chilliwack and East Chilliwack, Promontory Heights, and Vedder. WASHINGTON STATE HOMEMAKERS' COUNCIL In company with Mrs. Shaw and Mrs. R. Doe, your Superintendent attended the Washington State Homemakers' Council at Bellingham. This was their third State meeting and their first since becoming a constituent society of the Associated Country Women of the World. Border meetings were discussed, and plans were made for four border meetings this year at Sullivan Lake in the Kootenay, at Osoyoos in the Okanagan, at the Peace Arch, and at Victoria. RURAL HOUSING COMMITTEE The work of this Committee has been finally finished, and one meeting was held early in the year to arrange for distribution of booklets, with Farmhouse Plans, Principles of Farm House Design, and Farmstead Planning and Layout still available in quantity. ADULT EDUCATION Two meetings of the Adult Education Conference were attended. The first was held in May, and your Superintendent was called upon to work on the planning committee. PACIFIC NATIONAL EXHIBITION The Women's Institute exhibit in the Home Arts Building was most encouraging this year, with thirty-three Women's Institutes competing for the challenge cup, which went to Penticton, the first time it has gone to the Interior of the Province. FARM RADIO FORUM A meeting of persons from interested agencies was held at the University in December. Women's Institutes are being encouraged to add more listening groups, with the hope of arousing greater interest. WOMEN'S INSTITUTE NEWS LETTER Approximately 485 copies of the News Letter have been sent out each month except July and August to the Institute secretaries, as well as to District and Provincial Boards, conveners, and to others who especially asked for it. Another thousand copies of the handbook have been printed. APPRECIATION FOR CO-OPERATION AND INTEREST This programme would not have been possible without the co-operation, interest, and encouragement of the Minister, Deputy Minister, and staff and field members of the Department of Agriculture. To them and to the president, officers, and conveners of the Provincial Women's Institutes may I express my most grateful thanks. ) r DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 97 REPORT OF SOIL SURVEY BRANCH C. C. Kelley, B.S.A., Soil Surveyor A detailed soil survey of the Westbank Irrigation District was undertaken, the area mapped amounting to 1,548 acres. The major work of the field season consisted of progress with the reconnaissance soil survey of the Kettle River valley, where about 70,000 acres were classified. Progress was made with the arrangement of a report for publication covering a reconnaissance soil survey of the Upper Columbia River valley. Minor undertakings consisted of three meetings of the Reclamation Committee, laboratory soil-testing in connection with soil classification and farm soil problems, and some extension work. The operation in 1955 was handicapped by the resignations of two experienced technical men. At the present time there is considerable difficulty in finding replacements that have academic qualifications. One of the positions was filled in the latter part of the season, and the other was still vacant at the end of the year. SOIL SURVEY OF THE WESTBANK IRRIGATION DISTRICT A detailed soil survey of the Westbank Irrigation District was undertaken in May and June in co-operation with the Water Rights Branch, Department of Lands and Forests. The purpose of the combined soil and engineering survey was to redesign a worn-out irrigation system built in 1921. Local opinion is that the needs of the district would be served to the best advantage by piped water, permitting sprinkler irrigation throughout the area without pumping. The alternative plans were (1) renewal of the present system with enlargement of capacity to include an additional 200 acres, and (2) a distribution system covering the present district and 700 additional acres. The soils have been mapped as a means of identifying their nature and locating and calculating the acreage of the several soil types. Inasmuch as different soil types require different amounts of irrigation-water, the soils information permits calculation of the total water requirement of the district and the amounts to be delivered to each soil type. Such information is useful in connection with the amount of water that must be stored and pipe diameters in different parts of the system. In the latter part of the season a map showing soil conditions was delivered to the Water Rights Branch, and a meeting of the Reclamation Committee was held for the purpose of estimating the water requirements of the area. SOIL SURVEY OF THE UPPER COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY The classified section of the Upper Columbia River valley covers the bottom of the Rocky Mountain Trench in the area between Canal Flats and Bluewater Creek, about 25 miles north of Golden. In this area the mapped soils amount to about 267,000 acres, approximately 103,000 acres being potentially irrigable. Not more than 2,700 acres are irrigated at the present time. The irrigation land has a variation of soil texture and climate responsible for a range of farm delivery requirement of water that lies between 16 and 44 acre-inches for the irrigation season. The total irrigation-water requirement for the classified area amounts to about 243,000 acre-feet with delivery between May and September. The survey was completed in 1954, and progress was made with the preparation of soil maps and a report during 1955. A draft for editing will be completed by April, 1956. The report will be published by the Canada Department of Agriculture. HH 98 BRITISH COLUMBIA SOIL SURVEY OF THE KETTLE RIVER VALLEY The reconnaissance soil and water-requirement survey begun in 1954 was continued in summer and fall. About 70,000 acres were differentiated into thirty-five soil series and five miscellaneous land types. The classified area includes about 95 miles of river- valleys extending from Midway to Westbridge, up the Christian Valley to Damfino Creek, and from Westbridge up the Westkettle to Cookson Flats, about 23 miles north of Carmi. In addition, about 8 miles of the plateau centring around Bridesville was classified. The area presently classified is divisible physiographically into two regions. One is a segment of the Interior Plateau located between Rock Creek and Osoyoos, with elevations between 2,500 and 4,200 feet. The other consists of the valleys of the Kettle and Westkettle Rivers, which join at Westbridge and cross the American border at Midway. These valleys are from one-half to a mile wide, and the range of valley-bottom elevation is from 1,925 to 3,000 feet above sea-level. The Interior Plateau section is surfaced with till, coarse-textured glacial outwash, and glacio-lacustrine fine sandy deposits. The stratified fine sands are observable at a considerable range of elevation between Myncaster and Nine Mile Creek. Some lacustrine remnants were also found in the Kettle River valley west of Midway and up-stream from Rock Creek, but these are Kettle River deposits from a different source. Most of these sediments appear to have accumulated in ice-margin ponds and lakes. Throughout its length the Kettle River valley was subjected to vigorous glaciation. Pre-existing superficial deposits and spurs were cleared away, leaving a typical U-shaped trough. Subsequently the valley has been refilled in places to the point where the river grade is flattened. In other places the river is still down-cutting in the debris left by glacial retreat. The soils derived from the glacial and post-glacial deposits are mainly sandy and gravelly, and they developed in a fairly wide range of climate. Identified soil groups consist of Dark Brown and Black grassland soils, and Brown Wooded, Grey Wooded, and Brown Podzolic-Grey Wooded forest soils. In addition to these, Azonal soils occur on second bottoms of the river. In the southern section certain soil types occur on each side of the International Boundary. In order to obtain uniformity of classification, contact was made with the State College of Washington and the Division of Soil Surveys, United States Department of Agriculture. A preliminary field-trip with American officials was made in July to get acquainted with the problem of correlation. A further field-trip in 1956 will finalize the classification on both sides of the border. In the plateau region, dry farming is practised for the purpose of growing winter feed for range cattle. In most of this area there is little water available for irrigation, and it may be desirable to achieve a balance between farming and the grazing capacity of the range. In the Kettle and Westkettle River valleys, water is available for irrigation of the terraces, and the soils were graded according to their suitability for irrigation. Irrigated mixed farming, practised to a minor extent at present, is capable of considerable expansion. SOIL CONSERVATION Extension work in soils was reduced to a minimum during the past year. This was due to the resignation of the official formerly in charge. The work was limited to the training of a replacement, who was also an assistant soil surveyor during the field season. Advisory assistance in connection with drainage problems amounted to twenty farm visits in spring and fall. Two drainage plans were completed, and a total of 1,108 feet of drains were installed. Investigations of ten drainage proposals were put forward for attention in 1956, owing to an unusually severe winter. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 99 Soil-testing for alkalis is carried on as a service to farmers and others in co-operation with the extension branches of this Department in the Okanagan Valley. Wherever submission of soil samples is found to be a symptom of alkali accumulations, poor drainage, erosion, or some other factor causing infertility of soils, a farm visit is made by a district official or one from this Branch to ascertain the cause of the trouble. Field observations are a necessary part of effective soil-testing technique. A total of 325 farm soil samples and fifteen water samples were tested for alkali content. About 10 per cent of the soil samples contained excessive amounts of alkali carbonates, requiring gypsum application, and about 9 per cent contained harmful accumulations of neutral salts, for which drainage is required. It is hoped that soil-conservation work will be returned to normal output in 1956. In summer, when office work is at a minimum, the stenographer is utilized as a laboratory assistant, particularly in connection with soil-testing. RECLAMATION COMMITTEE There were three meetings of the Reclamation Committee in 1955. The first of these was held at Ladner on January 24th to consider the Richmond and Delta irrigation proposals, surveyed in 1954. The Committee heard the case for irrigation and made recommendations in regard to the two proposals. The information derived from the meeting and a description of the soil types in both areas were reported in Proceedings of the Reclamation Committee, Brief 30, which was distributed in September. The second meeting of the Committee was held at Creston on October 6th to consider a proposal made by the Duck Lake Dyking District. The proposal was to reclaim 1,125 acres of Crown land which includes a portion of the southern part of Duck Lake. There was a hearing as to the case for reclamation, opposed by the case for use of the area as a resting and feeding ground for wild-fowl. The Committee made certain recommendations that would apply if reclamation is permitted by the Government. This meeting was reported in Reclamation Committee Brief 31, December, 1955. The final meeting of the year was held at Kelowna on November 22nd in regard to reconstruction of the distribution system of the Westbank Irrigation District. Water requirements of soil types and other factors that would have a bearing on the design of the system were considered. The meeting will be reported in Reclamation Committee Brief 32, January, 1956. All briefs of the Reclamation Committee are kept available for distribution. LABORATORY Progress was made with the establishment of a soils laboratory, when space was made available in the new Court-house at Kelowna. The development of a laboratory must be spread over several years, owing to delays in obtaining equipment for special purposes. The purpose of the laboratory is (1) to undertake physical analyses for the determination of consumptive use of water, (2) to obtain physical and chemical data as required in the publication of standard soil-survey reports, and (3) to operate a soil- testing service in connection with farm soil problems. The determination of the consumptive use of water refers to the duty of water of classified soil types that have never been irrigated. The primary demand for such information has reference to the water requirements of classified soils in the valleys of streams entering the United States. In these valleys the total water requirement of the irrigation- land resource should be known and reserved for eventual Canadian use. Similar information is required in connection with irrigation proposals on virgin lands in other parts of the Province that lie outside of the Okanagan region. HH 100 BRITISH COLUMBIA A soil-survey report is made ready for publication every three years. In the past the amount of physical and chemical data published have been below standard, and delays of publication have occurred while awaiting limited laboratory information from other sources. The laboratory is designed to secure information as needed, and the work will be performed by those who undertook the surveys, and who understand the requirements. SOIL SURVEY IN PEACE RIVER DISTRICT, 1955 The following is a report received from L. Farstad, Senior Pedologist, Experimental Farms Service:— " During the 1955 field season the soil survey of the Peace River was continued. Due to numerous oil-exploration trails and roads it was possible to traverse many isolated areas and to re-examine areas previously surveyed on a broad reconnaissance basis. " Specifically the areas re-examined include Townships 84 to 88 in Ranges 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17. In addition, the Upper Halfway and Cameron River valleys were surveyed on a broad reconnaissance basis. Approximately 400,000 acres were covered. " Soils " The geological materials from which soils are derived in the area covered include materials believed to be deposits of the Keewatin and Cordilleran ice-sheets. Well-sorted sediments of alluvial or lacustrine origin are of smaller extent that the glacial till. " In the north-east portion of the map-sheet (Boundary Lake) the glacial-till deposits are shallow and have been derived from the underlying saline Smoky River shales. In the north-western section the soils appear to have developed from calcareous deposits presumably brought down by a Cordilleran ice-sheet occupying the Upper Halfway Valley and adjacent mountain-slopes. " Six kinds of profiles, occupying well-drained positions, were mapped. They include Alluvial, Brown Wooded, Grey Wooded, Podzolized Grey Wooded, Brown Podzolic, and Podzol soils. Associated with the poorly drained sites, ' Bluff,' Podzol, Meadow, Peat, and Muck soils were encountered. " The characteristics, use limitations, and vegetative cover of these types of profiles have been described in previous Reports and will not be reviewed here. " Chemical and Physical Analyses " Chemical and physical analyses are now being carried out to further characterize the important mapped types. The chemical analyses include soil reaction, organic matter, total calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as silicon, iron, and aluminium. In addition, the cation exchange capacity and exchangeable ions are being determined. The physical analyses being carried out include particle-size distribution, bulk density, and pore-size distribution." NATIONAL SOIL SURVEY COMMITTEE The National Soil Survey Committee held a five-day conference in Saskatoon from October 31st to November 5th, 1955. The programme was devoted largely to consideration and revision of sub-committee reports dealing with certain aspects of soil-survey work or with matters arising out of such work. The National Soil Survey Committee has ten sub-committees. Each section held a separate meeting and prepared separate reports, which were presented to the conference. The reports of these sub-committees, as revised by the conference, will be mimeographed and made available at a later date. The following list of sub-committees will indicate the scope of the conference: Chemical Analyses, Physical Analyses, Drainage Classes, Landscape Features, Publica- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 101 tions (Maps and Reports), Soil Classification, Soil Horizon Designations, Soil Ratings for Agricultural Crops, Soil Map of Canada, and Structure and Consistence. A few of the major accomplishments of the Saskatoon conference of the National Soil Survey Committee are briefly discussed below. 1. Soil Classification.—A system for the classification of Canadian soils based on their morphological features was adopted. This system consists of six categories, which will group our hundreds of soil types into progressively broader categories, until at Category 6 all our soils will have been grouped into seven classes. This is a major step in soil classification, in that more attention will now be paid to the task of grouping soils on the basis of their similarities. Such groupings are essential if we are to synthesize our knowledge about soils. 2. Publications.—The Sub-committee on Publications brought in some radical suggestions regarding the form and context of the soil-survey reports. These and other suggestions, if adopted, will result in an improvement of soil-survey publications from the view-point of the reader. 3. Soil Map of Canada.—The National Committee is sponsoring a new soil map of Canada, which will appear in the new Canadian Atlas on a scale of 1:10,000,000. The existing soil map of British Columbia has been revised and submitted to the National Committee for approval. 4. Apart from the formal business, the conference served a useful purpose in bringing all the leaders of soil survey together for discussion of mutual problems. SOIL MAP OF BRITISH COLUMBIA The first soil map of British Columbia was prepared in 1948. This map and accompanying report was published in the report of the Second Resources Conference, Department of Lands and Forests, Victoria, B.C., 1949. A revised map and report is now being prepared for the Ninth British Columbia Natural Resources Conference, to be held in February, 1956. The soils are classified genetically and the map units are dominant Great Soil Groups or associations of Great Soil Groups. Symbols used to aid in the interpretation of the map indicate (1) Dominant Great Soil Group or association of Groups, (2) terrain type, and (3) parent material. In order to accommodate some parts of the Province which could not be classified according to established Great Soil Groups, it was necessary to introduce substitutes for the Great Soil Group symbol; for example, a symbol for rough mountainous land. VANCOUVER ISLAND During the past season further studies were carried out on the Vancouver Island soils, particularly the Alberni and Fairbridge series. X-ray analyses and electron micrographs indicate the clay minerals are largely chlorite, and chemical analyses suggest also that the clay is a silicate of iron, possibly with some aluminium and magnesium. This information, together with other analyses, assists in the characterization of these Reddish Brown Forested soils. Iron determinations indicate that from 25 to 30 per cent of the total iron is in the form of iron oxides or free iron. It is highly possible that phosphorus fixation may be closely linked with this condition. HH 102 BRITISH COLUMBIA REPORT OF AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT AND EXTENSION BRANCH G. L. Landon, B.S.A., P.Ac, Director The year 1955 proved very wet in many parts of the Province, creating unfavourable crop conditions, although generally harvesting conditions were better than in 1954. Economic conditions were less favourable and net financial returns to producers generally were lower. Farmers in British Columbia, as elsewhere in Canada and the United States, were caught in a cost-price squeeze. The work of the Extension staff continued to expand during the year and is outlined in the following report. EXTENSION ACTIVITIES A feature of the extension programme for 1955 was the first full conference since 1948, held in Victoria and Vancouver April 19th to 22nd. In attendance were the Supervisors, District Agriculturists, Assistant District Agriculturists, and specialists in the Department of Agriculture. The programme included panel presentations on poultry, live stock, field crops and weeds, plant diseases, insect problems, 4-H Clubs, land-clearing, agricultural engineering, planned programmes, etc. C. A. Svinth, Associate Director of Extension, Washington State College, was a feature speaker on planned programmes and extension methods, and greatly contributed to the success of the conference. The Extension staff highly appreciated the opportunity to meet together, and feel such conferences should be held annually if possible. Regional conferences were also held during November at Kamloops, Prince George, and Abbotsford. They were excellent meetings dealing with problems of extension. Dr. J. K. Friesen, Director of Extension, University of British Columbia, was a feature speaker at the Abbotsford conference. Coupled with the meetings at Kamloops and Prince George were the meetings of the co-ordinating committees, which have done so much to promote uniform recommendations to farmers on problems in agriculture. Membership of the 4-H Clubs continues to expand slowly and improvement is apparent each year. The 4-H programme is a most valuable means to promote better farming and is a valuable factor in the extension plans of each district. The economics of production and marketing of agricultural commodities have been recognized as the basis of our extension programme. The District Agriculturist operates on the belief that an efficient farm must be a sound economic unit. Planned programmes are emphasizing the importance of cash crops, increased livestock production in some areas, reduced costs of production through efficient use of labour and machinery, development of local markets, etc. Short courses on farm management, income tax, agronomic production, long-range planning, etc., are being held and will be expanded where desired. All divisions of the Branch had a very active year and co-operated fully in the overall programme of extension. Short sections from the reports of district officials are included in the report this year which emphasize the important projects in each district. Space does not permit the inclusion of every full report. The activities of the Extension Agricultural Engineering Division are outlined later in this report. Land-clearing was greatly expanded with the inclusion of the Peace River area in the field of operation. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 103 CENTRAL BRITISH COLUMBIA, NORTH CARIBOO, AND PEACE RIVER (S. G. Preston, P.Ag., Supervising Agriculturist) The over-all economic expansion in 1955 for Central and Northern British Columbia and the Peace River was the greatest in a number of years. Farmers, however, did not share directly in this progress. For the third year in succession a combination of unfavourable growing seasons, restricted sales of cereals, and lower prices for beef have not only reduced returns to the producer, but resulted in a depressed attitude on the part of the farmer. The picture for dairying and poultry was brighter than for other phases of agriculture, but the latter industry is yet relatively small, and even dairying has a series of marketing problems. A number of farmers have been able to supplement incomes through employment with oil-exploration projects, pipe-lines, railroad construction, and the lumber industry. It is anticipated this supplementary employment will be available to them to an even greater degree in 1956. Thus while the producers will be in a position, in many cases, to make a reasonable income through a combination of farming and outside employment, this may result in neglect of the farm meantime, and certainly will not encourage increased live-stock production. Much of the income earned will not, no doubt, be used for capital expansion on farm holdings. Extension Activities Returns indicate a greater use is being made of the district offices. These showed an average of 1,200 callers for the year, with by far the greatest number making use of the Dawson Creek office. Regular monthly news bulletins are published at Prince George and at Smithers, and every two months for the Nechako Valley and Lakes District. The Prince George newsletter has a circulation of approximately 500; Smithers, 350; and Nechako Valley and Lakes District, 250. District Agriculturists Zacharias, Jameson, and Pelter, who are responsible for these publications, have made a special effort to see that the material is specific, concise, and readable to the average farmer. A good deal of credit is due to these men for this excellent work. The prestige of the Department is higher, and increased use is made of the agricultural services available since the bulletins have been resumed. Radio has played an important part in publicizing services and as a regular extension medium in the Peace River and at Prince George. In the latter district a co-operative effort between the Experimental Station, Provincial Department of Agriculture, and radio station CKPG is most successful. Weekly fifteen-minute talks are broadcast at 9.45 each Tuesday, with the exception that the third Tuesday is a half-hour discussion forum. While the downward trend of the farm economy, no doubt, has some bearing on the greater use of agricultural services, much of the credit must go to the District Agriculturists themselves. Through their ability and experience, as well as publicity through newspaper articles, radio, news-letters, circulars, etc., they have developed the confidence of the farmers in the services available. The Regional Co-ordinating Committee on Agriculture met officially at Prince George in November at the time of the regional meeting of District Agriculturists. Sizes of economic farm units were discussed and recommendations on grain-crops and fertilizers were revised. There was insufficient time to come to agreement on live-stock and forage-crop recommendations, and a further meeting is proposed for February. The writer, as secretary of the Co-ordinating Committee, has had the chief responsibility of organizing and editing the work. The effort of the group in publishing the recommendations is considered well worth while. The recommendations established for various farm practices act as a guide and education to the agriculturists and achieve the objective of co-ordination. Basic minimum economic farm units agreed upon at the November HH 104 BRITISH COLUMBIA meeting were: Beef cattle, 50 to 60 cows; dairy-farm, 20 cows; sheep, 200 to 250 ewes; and poultry, 2,000 to 3,000 laying hens. It was agreed that the average farm would require the following minimum developed acreage: Nechako Valley, 200 acres; Prince George and McBride, 130 acres; and Bulkley Valley and North Cariboo, 100 to 150 acres. Assistance and advice on miscellaneous veterinary problems continue to draw on a significant portion of a District Agriculturist's time. This situation has been somewhat eased in the Peace River since a resident veterinarian was established in the area. Adjustment of the farm programme to meet the developments in transportation, oil, gas, lumber, and industry, as well as the increase in the population, will require a stepped- up extension programme with careful planning. The first step will be a matter of publicity, to enlighten the producer and business-men on the developments already under way and the manner in which it will not only affect them, but how they can best take advantage of opportunities offered. Another important step is to show how live-stock and poultry production can be increased and markets developed, and, thirdly, to assess the types and volume of farm products that can be economically produced and marketed in Central British Columbia and the Peace River. While the districts as a whole have prospered during the past year and the future is very bright, still agriculture is not faring too well at present. Encouragement toward live-stock and poultry production is recommended and the growing of commodities such as vegetables and small fruits adapted to the area. The writer would like to take this opportunity to thank all officials for assistance and co-operation rendered during the past season. The quarterly meeting of supervisors and senior officials is particularly appreciated, and through this medium alone a far greater degree of interdepartmental co-ordination may be expected. North Cariboo District (A. R. Tarves, P.Ag.) Extension activities in this district featured weekly farm columns in local newspapers, 4-H Club projects, production problems with crops and live stock, and an extensive land- clearing programme. Settlement on farms in this area is increasing rapidly and will continue as more land is cleared and brought under cultivation. Prince George District (J. V. Zacharias, P.Ag.) The extension programme in this area featured grass silage, development of an agricultural programme for a rapidly expanding area, 4-H Club projects, monthly news-letter to 425 farmers, radio broadcasts, and a heavy land-clearing programme. Smithers District (K. R. Jameson, P.Ag.) Extension activities in this area featured assistance on marketing problems to the Bulkley Valley Co-operative Milk Producers' Association, Kitsumkalum Farmers' Insti- ture, Houston Co-operative Marketing Association, Houston Egg-grading Station, and the Smithers Farmers' Institute; 4-H Club projects; problems of rural living, etc. The development of the dairy industry in relation to expanding markets is receiving considerable attention. Nechako Valley and Lakes District (J. A. Pelter, P.Ag.) Extension activities of this area included investigation of live-stock losses in cooperation with Dr. K. Thompson of the Live Stock Branch, 4-H Club projects, farm news-letters, egg-grading in Vanderhoof, etc. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 105 North Peace River (R. W. Brown, P.Ag.) The agricultural programme for this area is concerned with a rapid increase in livestock production due to grain-marketing problems. The extension activities included assistance on milk-marketing, seed production and seed shows, 4-H Club projects, livestock promotion, newspaper articles, and land-clearing. South Peace River (A. M. Johnson, P.Ag.) The programme for the South Peace River is similar to that for the North Peace River, and extension activities included live-stock promotion, organization of a community pasture and grazing association, organizing the Dawson Creek Dairy Producers' Association, poultry promotion, 4-H Clubs, an advisory service which incidentally has increased 300 per cent since 1952, and land-clearing. SOUTH CARIBOO, KAMLOOPS, SHUSWAP, NORTH OKANAGAN, KOOTENAY, AND BOUNDARY DISTRICTS (G. A. Luyat, P.Ag., Supervising Agriculturist) The gloom which has been cast over the beef-cattle industry arises perhaps from the price discrimination practised this year more than previously between grass-fed and dry-fed steers and heifers, and not from a general downward trend of prices in the cattle industry. Prices for dry-fed steers maintained a more uniform level throughout the year than in 1954. Cows, on the other hand, have, with very minor fluctuations, followed the price pattern of 1954. The feeder-calf market has been strong, with prices rising sharply. The huge surplus of grain in the Prairie Provinces, which finds no market as such, is affecting our industry in this Province by being marketed through cattle where the grain is available and cheap. The growing availability of dry-fed cattle on the Prairies in 1955 has made our buyers "choosey," and consequently they have offered $2 per hundredweight less for grass-fed cattle, and even so have not shown the usual interest in absorbing our offerings with a somewhat similar degree of fleshing. Buyers have also discriminated against grass-finished steers of heavy weight such as 1,100-pound 2-year-olds, all because there is an available supply of handy light-weight dry-fed yearlings on offer in the West. It would appear that all this is a passing phase in the industry, and a return to more normal conditions will follow in the wake of the disappearance of the huge stocks of grain in the West. Large surpluses of foodstuffs have been known before to vanish overnight. Prices prevailing during the shipping season were: Steers, 1,000 pounds and under, $16 to $18; heifers, $13 to $15; light cows, $9 to $12; steer calves, $15 to $18; heifer calves, $11 to $14; and feeder steers, $15 to $17. The feeder sales were again held in Williams Lake, the one on October 6th with 1,821 head and the other on November 3rd with 1,872 head. The first sale, comprised of material in better flesh, commanded prices higher than the second but in keeping with the slightly downward trend of the market. At Kamloops two calf and feeder sales were held, and the first on November 9th was highly successful when the steer calves sold up to $19.50. The second sale of over 500 head, held on December 15th, was down considerably in price, with steer calves averaging from $14 to $15. Two fat- stock shows were held in Kamloops during the year, one under the auspices of the Provincial Bull Sale and Fat Stock Show in March and the other the Christmas Fat Stock Show and Sale in December. In March the car-lots and groups of five averaged $19.44 and the singles $24.39. In the December sale the car-lots and groups averaged $20.63 HH 106 BRITISH COLUMBIA and $20.22 and singles $21.96. This event is the achievement-day for the 4-H Beef Calf Clubs of the Southern Interior, where the year's work is finalized and awards made for every branch of work in the programme. The agriculturists of this region and Mr. Carmichael, of Grand Forks, play a very vital part in making this an outstanding 4-H Club day of the Province. Two bull sales were held at Kamloops in March and at Williams Lake in October. A total of 146 head of the three breeds, an increase of 25 head over 1954, were sold at Kamloops, with averages for each breed as follows: Herefords, $508; Shorthorns, $366; and Angus, $415—all lower than 1954. There were 25 Hereford bulls from Alberta breeders. The Cariboo Bull Sale sold 52 bulls at a general average of $395. A gloomy atmosphere persisted over the whole of the sale and bidding was very " sticky." Bulls at both sales were graded and classified on the individual merits of the individual and bidding conformed to the classification. It is clear that performance testing will have to be undertaken on beef-producing ranches and farms to provide maximum efficiency of production to meet the " squeeze " consistently manifested in greater force. This will mean a departure somewhat from the old show-ring standards, but the adage " the scale is mightier than the eye " will have to be more closely observed in the future. By the year's end it was strongly suspected hay-supplies would not be adequate to meet requirements, but this would depend on the weather. Winter set in fully two months earlier than usual, heavy snow handicapping the rustling ability of cattle to a very pronounced degree over the whole of the range country. A few well-favoured areas, such as those along the slopes of the Fraser River from Williams Lake to Big Bar Creek, are still able to provide forage for winter grazing. R. L. Wilkinson, District Agriculturist, Kamloops, reports that because of wet hay put up in 1954 and the winter of 1955 prolonged into late spring, cases of Vitamin A deficiency were suspected in the 1955 spring season. In the Cariboo many unaccountable losses have occurred at calving-time. Generally speaking, despite the hardships of a late season, cattle were later in finishing but came off the ranges in good flesh. Assistance similar to that formerly given for many years to the Sullivan Valley Livestock Association has been given by the Kamloops office to a voluntary system of culling range bulls for the Tranquille Livestock Association. This practice is usually a forerunner to the request for a bull-control area. Dairy Cattle A large part of the dairying over the area consists of cream production, which does not demand the same exacting regulations as fluid milk but does not, however, return as high a net income. In order to make up this difference, many of these operators seek work off the farm during the summer months. The Extension Branch is desirous of introducing other projects to overcome the necessity of seeking outside work. Three Insemination Clubs operate successfully. These are located at Kelowna, Armstrong, and Salmon Arm. Some decrease in the service is attributed to the incidence of vaginitis and vibriosis. No calves were introduced from the Fraser Valley into any of the dairying areas in 1955. Sheep The sheep industry is undergoing a further slight decline in numbers, especially in the range bands. Another band is likely to be dispersed by the year's end. It is increasingly hard to find packers and herders for the utilization of mountain ranges. The predator problem has been solved by the 1080 poisoning campaign conducted a few years ago, but poisonous weeds are a constant problem under poor or inexperienced herding. Farm flock units are slowly increasing. Extension personnel feel this phase J DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 107 of the industry should expand to utilize land not adapted to profitable cultivation and to control weeds. Increased production from irrigated pastures could be obtained by running one sheep to every cow to the advantage of both. The Interior needs more farm flocks in order to raise the income per farm, and experience elsewhere indicates most certainly sheep are complementary to dairy-farming. Alpine grazing was delayed in 1955 until almost July 15th by the backward spring season. Growth was then rapid and lambs made fast gains. The first shipments in early August realized prices of $22 to $23, with a 52-per-cent dressing guarantee off cars in Vancouver. September and October prices declined to $20 off cars, until by the end of the year $17 was being offered at the shipping-point. Swine and Poultry J. C. Ryder, District Agriculturist at Salmon Arm, reports a 10-per-cent increase in egg production over 1954 in his district. Two large turkey flocks are maintained in the area of Kamloops office—one at Rayleigh with 3,400 and one at Princeton with 12,000 birds. District offices maintain close touch with the Poultry Inspector of the area and visits are made to producers with him. Problems are directed and funnelled through the local office to the Inspector. Lower pork prices during the summer caused a severe downward trend in pig production. Throughout the area, hogs are not of economic importance. The grain consumption is too high for economical hog production in this region. Field Crops Silage Despite the progress which has been made over the last three years, grass silage was produced in much less volume than the bad weather experienced in June each year warrants. Mr. Ryder reports, however, that there has been a 100-per-cent increase in Salmon Arm. Ranchers in the range areas have been reluctant to ensile their first crop. Winter feeding problems may have been badly distorted, and there is not the determination to overcome them by new methods; consequently, they continue to put up a bad- quality first-cut hay-crop and deplete their next cuttings. The second annual silage tour conducted by the Extension group in January in the North Okanagan and Salmon Arm has produced good results and permitted a free exchange of ideas and techniques on silage-making. Samples of silages have been taken by the agriculturists during the winter for protein determination, and this has kept the operators alert to the value of good-quality silage. The above-ground horizontal " bunker " type silo is gaining in popularity. One silage field-day was held in Armstrong with silage-harvesting equipment at work, and another was held under the auspices of the Illustration Station at Revelstoke. Irrigated Pastures and Range By the pasture season of 1955 over approximately 3,000 acres of new pasture had been established. Extension workers concentrated on devising means for more efficient use and higher returns from pasture. It was felt that some sheep production on these pastures might provide the answer in part. The Green Pastures Programme organization held its annual field-day on September 1st, visiting three farms in the North Okanagan—one with dairy cattle, one with sheep, and one with beef cattle. W. J. Bulman, of Bulman Ranch Limited, Kelowna, a beef enterprise, was declared the official " Grassman of the Year " for North Okanagan, Salmon Arm, Kamloops, Nicola and Princeton. The standing and distribution of the top five contestants were as follows: W. T. J. Bulman, Kelowna; C. G. Bryson, Merritt; Don MacEwan, Grindrod; W. L. Bryson, Heffley Creek; and J. Thompson, Princeton. HH 108 BRITISH COLUMBIA In 1955 the participants in the Green Pastures Programme were invited to enter the " Grassman of the Year " contest rather than visit and score each pasture in order to achieve the same end. The ranges of the Interior were slow in developing growth and did not come into full bearing until mid-June and made the grazing season rather short. Likewise, the deferred pastures were only used a short period when a cover of snow made them difficult or useless. East Kootenay District (J. W. Awmack, P.Ag.) Extension activities in this area featured cattle production and marketing problems; the issuance of the farmers' bulletin six times during the year; short courses on beef production, feeding of live stock, farm management, small fruits and vegetables and field crops, bull-control areas and live-stock disease control; and a control project on Columbia ground-squirrels in co-operation with the Game Commission. West Kootenay District (A. J. Allan, P.Ag.) The headquarters was moved in July from Creston to Nelson for more efficient operation. Extension activities included cereal variety and forage tests, soil-conservation control on Goat River, 4-H Club projects including trip to the Montana State 4-H Conservation Camp in July with two club members from Arrow Park, etc. Boundary District (J. F. Carmichael, P.Ag.) The extension programme included 4-H Club projects which this year featured visits to Washington State by club members and parents, live-stock promotion, short courses, silage promotion, field-crop forage and fertilizer tests, weekly press releases, seed-potato production, vegetable production, forage-crop and vegetable seed production, etc. North Okanagan District (R. C. Bailey, P.Ag.) Extension activities in this area featured 4-H Club projects, as this is one of the leading areas in 4-H programmes, including a 4-H Club Council. An exchange tour was arranged with 4-H Club members in Stevens County of Washington State. Other activities included newspaper releases, radio programmes, silage promotion, live stock promotion, planned programmes with an Advisory Council, land-clearing, etc. Shuswap-Mainline District (J. C. Ryder, P.Ag.) The extension programme in this area included field-days, land-clearing, silage promotion including the Green Pastures Programme, extensive 4-H Club projects including 4-H Leaders' Council, Agricultural Advisory Council, radio broadcasts, local newspaper releases, etc. South Cariboo District (M. J. Walsh, P.Ag.) Extension activities in this area feature live-stock problems, particularly beef cattle, including range management, feeding, marketing, cattle sales, farm meetings, grasshopper- control in the Clinton and South Riske Creek zones, etc. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 109 VANCOUVER ISLAND AND LOWER FRASER VALLEY REGION (J. S. Allin, P.Ag., Supervising Agriculturist) The production, harvesting, preservation, and feeding of forage-crops (hay, pasture, and silage) received major consideration in all districts of the region. Extension activities in this regard include participation in Grassland Clubs, meetings, field-days, tours and farm feeding trials, all intended to promote high-quality forage and economical production of milk, beef, lambs, etc. Several field-trips and tours for producers were arranged by each District Agriculturist both within his own district and to near-by districts. In addition, new interest was obtained by reviewing grassland methods and dairy efficiency by making organized tours of grassland farms in Clallam and Whatcom Counties in the State of Washington. Three District Agriculturists and myself were fortunate in being able to attend special functions either in Alberta or in the State of Washington. Two of these events concerned 4-H Club camps—Whidbey Island and Pullman, Wash.—at each of which one District Agriculturist accompanied 4-H Club representatives; one District Agriculturist represented this Department at the Western Farm Radio Forum Workshop. The writer expresses appreciation of his opportunity to attend the Biennial Conference of Agricultural Sciences at the State College of Pullman, Washington, in January of 1955. " Programme Planning " was the theme of the regional meeting of District Agriculturists at Abbotsford from November 22nd to 24th. Guest speaker was Dr. John Friesen, Director of Extension, University of British Columbia, who supplied valuable information concerning problems of rural sociology and programme planning. As a result of this conference, each District Agriculturist is presently concerned with the organization of farmer groups within his district who will eventually develop, with himself, a joint extension programme based on the recognized problems and needs of the community. The second annual " Calendar Review " for dealers of agricultural supplies was held on Vancouver Island with gratifying results. This feature of our extension programme is of mutual benefit to dealers and extension workers. At the request of the trade representatives, a Dealers' Workshop will be conducted at two locations in the Fraser Valley early in 1956. These meetings provide an opportunity for agricultural extension workers and research workers to meet with dealers of agricultural commodities such as seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides, and weedicides so that each group may become better acquainted regarding the various recommended practices. Co-ordinating committees continue to function on Vancouver Island and in the Lower Fraser Valley, thus bringing about a closer liaison between research and extension workers. These committees serve as a clearing-house for agricultural production problems, while at the same time providing a means by which up-to-date information can be conveyed through the extension worker to the farm. Visual aids have definitely proven themselves to be of great value in assisting the District Agriculturist with his extension programme. Each and every District Agriculturist in this region has been active in taking his own 35-mm. colour transparencies, and, by so doing, develop a library of 2 x 2 slides of local importance, and a valuable tool in the extension programme. During the year the Department was able to purchase from the District Agriculturists slightly over 100 colour transparencies. Slides, when approved for purchase, are returned to the District Agriculturist for his own use as lecture or demonstration material. Copies are made of the slides which are of outstanding merit in so far as subject-matter is concerned. These slides will be maintained in a central library. Vancouver Island (Courtenay Office) (S. B. Peterson, P.Ag.) Extension activities in this area featured forage-crop production using fertilizers and irrigation, silage production, field-days, 4-H Club projects, programme planning, and HH 110 BRITISH COLUMBIA farm radio forums. Mr. Peterson represented the British Columbia Department of Agriculture at the Workshop on Farm Radio Forums in October at Banff, Alta. Vancouver Island (Duncan Office) (J. D. Hazlette, P.Ag., and D. C. Crossfield, P.Ag.) This district has many extension activities in progress, including grass silage, production problems on crops, silage production, soil tillage, field-days, pasture management, 4-H Club projects, and land-clearing. The staff organized a field-day in September to Clallam County, Washington State, to observe grassland-management methods. Cloverdale Office (G. A. Muirhead, P.Ag., and R. L. Bradshaw, P.Ag.) This office directs extension programmes in Langley, Surrey, Delta, and Richmond, and features 4-H Club projects, grass silage, silage-quality studies, feeding of dairy cattle for most economical milk production, pasture management, etc. Mission Office (P. E. Ewert, P.Ag.) Extension activities featured grassland projects, forage-crop production, silage production, live-stock production, 4-H Club projects, etc. Mr. Ewert covers Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge, Mission, and Matsqui areas. Chilliwack Office (George Cruickshank, P.Ag.) Mr. Cruickshank covers Agassiz and Chilliwack areas and his extension activities feature 4-H Club projects, silage production, grassland and pasture programmes, field- days, radio broadcasts, newspaper articles, live-stock production, etc. 4-H CLUB DIVISION (Miss Echo Lidster, P.Ag., Supervisor) Following is a table indicating the 4-H Club enrolment for British Columbia this year:— Enrolment Project Clubs Members 1954 1955 1954 1955 Beef Calf ~ 20 13 11 55 14 6 1 4 20 1 5 6 3 17 27 18 10 51 14 1 6 1 3 20 1 8 7 3 22 209 178 190 630 169 83 12 45 202 12 48 52 36 145 310 Clothing 259 129 Dairy Calf . 568 152 Goat - — 9 96 12 Potato _ 33 191 11 89 Swine.. - - 63 35 141 Totals. . - 179 192 2,073 2,111 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 111 Pr°pVS ST t0 >fati°,ral 4"H Club Week> 1955, from Dairy Project—Ted Beery, Langley, and lohn McFaul, Chilliwack Ull!!!! p„ ?rov|1nci.al delegates to National 4-H Club Week 19SS f™ A°iyoPnrg°,eCt-Betty And6rSOn' AbbotsfoStdTofne 2£*g HH 112 BRITISH COLUMBIA The T. Eaton Agricultural Scholarship This scholarship for the fifth year by the T. Eaton Company was awarded this year to the Alberta candidate, Park Smiley Letts, of Westlock, Alta. The British Columbia candidate, Helmut Fandrich, of Vernon, was the only applicant in the Province this year. The scholarship entitles the winner to a four-year course at an agricultural college. Teachers have been asked why so increasingly few of their students are interested in applying for the scholarship in this Province. The main reason given by the students is that they would be interested if it were for some course other than Agriculture, their main objection to Agriculture being that professions in this field command such low salaries compared to those available in other technical fields. Eaton Watches This was the fifth year that the T. Eaton Company has awarded gold watches to the high-scoring individuals in each project in the Provincial elimination competitions in British Columbia, and 1955 winners were as follows: Beef—Louisa Gollitz, Armstrong; Clothing—Evelyn Dunne, Armstrong; Dairy—John McFaul, Sardis; Garden—Tom Spraggs, Armstrong; Grain—Dorene Schobert, Doe River; Poultry—Lome McConnell, Armstrong; Swine—Wayne Smith, Armstrong. Provincial Elimination Competitions Two innovations in connection with these contests were introduced this year. First, competitors were selected at the local level partly on their complete club record of achievement over a period of years instead of on judging ability only as previously, and, second, a rule passed by the annual meeting of the Canadian Council on 4-H Clubs permitted the selection of the two highest individuals in a project rather than the two highest from any one club to represent the provinces at National 4-H Club Week. Beef (eight members competing): Louisa Gollitz, Armstrong, and Brian Lee, Midway. Clothing (six members competing): Norma Northgraves, Chilliwack, and Evelyn Fraser, Chilliwack. Dairy (twenty members competing): John McFaul, Sardis, and Ted Barry, Langley. Garden (two members competing): Tom Spraggs, Armstrong, and Ken Ramsey, Armstrong. Grain (six members competing): Dorene Schobert, Doe River, and Jack Suchy, Doe River. Poultry (four members competing): Lome McConnell, Armstrong, and Betty Anderson, Abbotsford. Swine (seven members competing): Wayne Smith, Armstrong, and Marlene Bartels, Quesnel. National 4-H Club Week This Province, for the second time, was able to send a full complement of seven teams to National 4-H Club Week, held in Toronto in conjunction with the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, November 11th to 19th, 1955. There were 118 delegates registered. The nine cups were distributed among five Provinces—none to British Columbia. British Columbia standings in National contests were as follows: Beef, sixth (eight teams competing); Clothing, fifth, (nine teams competing); Dairy, eighth (eight teams competing); Grain, seventh (seven teams competing); Garden, fourth (seven teams competing); Poultry, third (five teams competing); Swine, fourth (five teams competing). John McFaul, the British Columbia representative on the Junior Council for National 4-H Club Week, was elected president of the group. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 113 Provincial delegates to National 4-H Club Week, 1955, from Swine Project—Marlene Bartels, Quesnel, and Wayne Smith, Armstrong. Provincial delegates to National 4-H Club Week, 1955, from Clothing Project—Evelyn Fraser and Norma Northgraves, Chilliwack. HH 114 BRITISH COLUMBIA ■illfll Provincial delegates to National 4-H Club Week, 1955, from Beef Project—Louisa Gollits, Armstrong, and Brian Lee, Midway. Provincial delegates to National 4-H Club Week, 1955, from Garden Project—Tom Spraggs and Ken Ramsey, Armstrong. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 115 Provincial Advisory Council of 4-H Club Leaders On February 15th and 16th, 1955, this Council, with a full membership of seven members, met in Victoria, the following attending: Peace River—Clarence Veiner, Dawson Creek; Central British Columbia—Fred Bartels, Quesnel; Kamloops—Clarence Bryson, Merritt; Okanagan—Hilliard McCallan, Armstrong; East Kootenay—Alfred Wellspring, Creston; Fraser Valley—Cornelius Froese, Chilliwack; Vancouver Island— Pearl Standen, Duncan. Public Speaking Competitions There were no public speaking finals held this year, as only four out of seven districts indicated any interest in it. University of British Columbia The British Columbia Agrologists Scholarship was won by Kenneth Robert Smith, Ladner (a former 4-H Club member), and the Sperry Phillips Memorial Scholarship by Sheila Ann Reynolds, of Fulford Harbor. The president of the first-year agricultural class for 1955 was Miss Marina Parker, Armstrong, a former 4-H Club member. There were thirty-nine students registered in the Faculty of Agriculture for the first time who are from British Columbia. Of these, thirteen are former 4-H Club members. Out-of-Province 4-H Club Trips 1. Four club members from the Fraser Valley attended the Washington State 4-H Club camp at Pullman, Wash., June 13th to 18th, 1955, comprising Evelyn Fraser, Chilliwack; Allan McFee, Sumas; Shirley Savage, Ladner; and Bert Tyerman, Cobble Hill. George Cruickshank, District Agriculturist, Chilliwack, accompanied the members. 2. Four club members from Vancouver Island attended the Whidbey Island 4-H Club county camp in Washington State, July 11th to 14th, 1955. They were Roberta Adcock, Sooke; Betty Callender, Saanich; Joanna Ross, Courtenay; and Albert Stamme, Courtenay. They were accompanied by D. C. Crossfield, Assistant District Agriculturist, Duncan. 3. Two club members attended Montana 4-H Club conservation camp at Bitter Root, Mont., July 11th to 15th, 1955. They were Douglas Irving, East Arrow Park, and Beryl Mole, East Arrow Park, and were accompanied by A. J. Allan, District Agriculturist, Nelson. 4. Two club members from the Peace River area, Dick Dilworth, Sunrise Prairie, and Pat Ryan, Landry, attended Fairview Farm Week at Fairview School of Agriculture in Alberta. 5. An exchange visit of three days' duration was arranged between ten North Okanagan club members and Stevens County members in Washington State. They were Lyle Ringland and Walter Winterhalder from Salmon Arm; Shirley Brown, Dick Collis, Betty Fowler, Kay Marshall, Joan McKechnie, Gordon Preston, and Frank Smith from Armstrong; and Walter Hardy from Kelowna. R. C. Bailey, District Agriculturist, Vernon, accompanied the club members. On July 18th nine 4-H Club members from Colville returned the visit under the direction of Ed Reeves, County Agent, Stevens County. This valuable interchange of visits was made possible by the grant of $200 received from the former British Columbia Dairymen's Association. 6. Sixty club members from the Fraser Valley, with leaders and District Agriculturists, attended Lynden Fair on August 20th, 1955. HH 116 BRITISH COLUMBIA '■/■■ -.'.:■■ :■">;,'. Provincial delegates to National 4-H Club Week, 1955, from Grain Project —Dorene Schobert, Doe River, and lack Suchy, Shearer Dale. Helmut Fandrich, Vernon, British Columbia Eaton Scholarship candidate, 1955, receiving gold watch from Mr. Eaton, Toronto, Ont. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 117 Provincial 4-H Club Conference The first Provincial 4-H Club Conference was held in Chilliwack on the week-end of October 21st to 23rd. The programme included a dance on Friday evening, discussions and a banquet on Saturday, and a tour and church service on Sunday. Eighty- three delegates attended, from Vancouver Island, Rock Creek, Bridesville, Enderby, Armstrong, and Kamloops, as well as from all parts of the Fraser Valley. The British Columbia representatives to National contests were present. All were billeted at homes in Chilliwack. The Junior Club Council in Chilliwack was in charge of arrangements, and financed the Conference by a registration fee of $2 per delegate plus a commission for selling tickets for Chilliwack Fair. Christmas Fat Stock Show and Sale There were 200 head of 4-H beef animals and 75 lambs exihibted and sold at this show in 1955, plus 22 head of beef shown by club members in the open singles. The 4-H champion, also the grand champion of the show, owned by Gary Hook, of Barriere, was bought by Canada Packers for $1.20 a pound. Additional Activities During the year your Supervisor attended, as British Columbia director, the annual meeting of the Canadian Council on 4-H Clubs in Toronto, Ont. Various 4-H Clubs throughout the Province were visited, but time did not permit visits to Central and North Vancouver Island, Westview, Gibsons Landing, Salmon Arm, and the Kootenays. During November I accompanied, with J. F. Carmichael, District Agriculturist, Grand Forks, the teams attending National 4-H Club Week, where part of my duties for the sixth year included acting as a counsellor to the Junior Council of ten members. For the third and final year, duties have included acting as Chairman of the National Committee on 4-H Club Leadership. Leaders' Certificates Awarded in 1955 Certificates were awarded by the Canadian Council on 4-H Clubs as a recognition for five years or more of 4-H Club leadership in their communities to the following leaders: Mrs. Ada Attridge, Mission, ten years; R. K. Bradley, Westview, ten years; Mrs. Gladys Caldwell, Salmon Arm, ten years; J. E. Dayton, Abbotsford, five years; C. A. Froese, Chilliwack, five years; Alex. Hall, Victoria, ten years; H. Johanes, Langley, five years; J. G. Lyster, Armstrong, five years; Les McKinnon, Alberni, five years; J. A. Patston, Victoria, five years; Mrs. R. L. Redmond, Canoe, five years; Mrs. Doris Van Beem, Pemberton, five years; T. P. Wilson, Vinsulla, five years; and Mrs. W. J. Wilson, Vinsulla, five years. AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING DIVISION (G. L. Calver, Extension Agricultural Engineer) The work carried out by this Division will be discussed under the four main headings of Machinery, Soil and Water, Farm Structures, and Rural Electrification. Many new problems have been handled in each of these fields, yet it has been necessary to limit the services supplied regarding many problems and in other cases let work fall by the wayside due to the lack of personnel and added duties. Farm Machinery Farm machinery field-days increased slightly this year, a total of seventeen being held. Subjects covered included Tillage Demonstrations, Choice and Adjustment of 6 HH 118 BRITISH COLUMBIA Silage Harvesting Machinery, and Tractor Maintenance and Operation. These field-days were held in almost every area of the Province and interest was generally good. A series of farm-machinery meetings was held in Northern British Columbia to determine the value of lectures supported by slide and film material in improving knowledge of the operation and maintenance of farm machinery. While these were relatively successful, opinion indicated they should be developed on a more practical level and might actually go so far as to include on-the-spot overhaul of some equipment. In four other talks to farm groups on farm machinery, emphasis was placed on forage-harvesting machinery of various types with minor emphasis on tractor safety. The staff of the Division was responsible for, and assisted in, the presentation of the Agricultural Engineering Committee report to the British Columbia Agronomists' Association Conference. The report dealt primarily with spraying and dusting equipment. Organization and judging assistance was provided for four tractor-driving competitions. Mr. May carried out all arrangements for the Pacific National Exhibition tractor-driving competition, which was won by Steve Hrusick, Chilliwack F.F.C. The other competitions were held at Saanich, Chase, and Kelowna. Demonstration Projects Tillage demonstration work, a joint project between the Field Crops Branch and the Agricultural Engineering Division, now in the second year, is being carried out at the farm of Stan Owens, Duncan. Results to date indicate the value of carrying this project to completion. It is providing useful information on costs for individual operations and casts some doubts on beliefs which have been held regarding tillage practices. At least one more year of the trial will be required before sufficient information is on hand for publication of a report. A second project deals with revision of the information on silage-harvesting costs. Approximately 500 questionnaires were distributed to obtain more recent and complete information on actual harvesting operations throughout the Province. Although returns have been extremely limited, sufficient data are available to permit bringing up to date our bulletin on silage-harvesting costs. In the course of carrying out this project approximately forty-one farm visits were made, and a large number of slides were obtained to show equipment and operations of special interest. As a direct result of these field visits, Plan No. 15.402, " Selfloading and Unloading Trailer Attachment for Hay and Silage," has been completed and distributed. Consideration was also given to machinery used for feeding out of silage. A start has been made on organizing a short course on tractor maintenance and repair in conjunction with the Agricultural Engineering Department and Extension Department of the University of British Columbia, this course to be held in early 1956. Some preliminary work has been done on a tractor- safety demonstration. Farm Structures A definite increase will be noted in the requests for plans of farm buildings. Part of this increase was due to the arrival of the first set of plans developed by the Canada Farm Plan Service. Nine hundred and eleven copies of the plans listed in the catalogue " Beef Cattle Housing and Equipment" have been distributed. In addition, distribution was made of 1,522 plans developed by this Division or obtained through the Midwest Plan Service, bringing the total number of plans distributed to 2,433. Information received from the Chairman of the National Advisory Committee on Agricultural Engineering indicates that at least one more set of plans should be ready for distribution in the coming year. This set will cover fruit and vegetable storage, and work is progressing satisfactorily on plans for sheep housing and equipment, dairy-cattle housing and equipment, and hog housing and equipment. New plans developed and distributed by the Division include the following: Portable Bunker Silo Wall Sections, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 119 Plan No. 76.101; Poultry Brooder House—Coastal Areas, Plan No. 48.313; Poultry Brooder House—Northern Areas, Plan No. 48.314; Roll-away Community Nest, Plan No. 48.311; Range Shelter for 125 Birds, Plan No. 48.312; and Milk House for Holding Tank (Bulk Storage). Preliminary work has also been carried out on two plans for honey-processing houses and on two plans for corrals approval by British Columbia ranchers. These should be completed early in the new year. By way of direct service to individuals, seventeen farm visits were made, dealing primarily with advice on farm-building construction. Detailed plans were drawn up for four individuals. Silo construction and related costs formed the main topic for two meetings, and loose housing was outlined and compared to stall barns in two lectures to the Dairy-barn Inspectors' class held in December at the University of British Columbia. Also, on a group basis, three field-days dealt in part with farm structures, either silo construction or loose housing. Demonstration Projects Fence-post trials were set out at three locations in the Province—at the University of British Columbia, at Cranbrook, and at Vanderhoof. Although the importance of wood-preservative materials in farm construction work has been proven, it was felt that actual demonstrations showing materials applied on the farm would have merit in promoting this practice. Progress reports will be submitted from time to time. Worth-while extension material consisting of slides and a detailed report is now available. Soil and Water Much of the time spent on this type of work has dealt with land development by way of land-clearing and domestic water-supply development; however, some assistance has been given on problems falling in the other sections of this subject. Drainage Field-days demonstrating safe and effective use of ditching-dynamite for drainage were held in three areas. In addition, drainage formed part of the demonstration and discussion at two other days. Several farm visits were made regarding drainage problems, as a result of which four detailed farm drainage plans were drawn up and forwarded to the farm operators. Approximately 315 acres were involved in these projects. Other extension work on drainage included answers to some fifteen letters of inquiry and the preparation, in conjunction with N. Griffin, CKWX farm broadcasts, of three radio tapes on the principles of drainage as related to one specific project. Irrigation An extremely short dry season during the summer of 1955 reduced considerably the number of requests for assistance in the design of irrigation systems. Five sprinkler- system designs were sent out and survey work carried out for two others. Approximately four requests are on hand for assistance in the design of systems for next year. A one-day meeting on irrigation problems was attended at the University of British Columbia. A brief meeting of this type is of assistance in keeping up to date in recent developments and problems in the field of irrigation. Water Storage Some assistance has been offered in the development of domestic water-supplies through the Farmers' Domestic Water Development. In order to supply the necessary data on suitable construction, a new bulletin entitled "Dugouts for Domestic Water Supply " has been published. Following this and publicity regarding the proposed development, assistance was provided in the actual construction of eight dugouts in the Fort HH 120 BRITISH COLUMBIA St. John area and one in the Dawson Creek area. Several other requests were on hand; however, it was impossible to obtain suitable machinery at the time desired, and the early winter caused a shut-down, which made it impossible to complete all construction requested. Engineering assistance was provided on all of these structures, and financial assistance similar to that provided under the " Farmers' Land-clearing Assistance Act" was also given to those farmers carrying out construction. Although only nine dugouts were actually completed, this involved over twenty-two farm visits. In some cases locations were not suitable for the construction of water-storage facilities, and in several other instances the alternate possibility of developing ground-water sources appeared to offer a better solution to the water-supply problem. Soil Conservation Following up the field demonstration work carried out on the farm of Mr. Bostock, Rock Creek, two years ago, two farmers in the general area proceeded with some terracing of their fields. In one case terraces were actually laid out and construction work supervised by the staff of this Division, and in the second case some suggestions were offered as to final completion of the work. Very little promotion was carried out on this work during the past summer, and return calls would undoubtedly have meant additional assistance to some operators. In connection with this problem of conservation, a complete review was made of erosion-control legislation in other Provinces of Canada and a separate report submitted to the Honourable the Minister of Agriculture. Other work in this field included attendance at a ground-water meeting and answers to four letters of inquiry on conservation practices. Development This subject of land development will deal primarily with the land-clearing operations as reported separately in the Director's report. The responsibility of this Division in connection with land-clearing entails supervision of the operations of Government- owned equipment, assistance with personnel problems, and investigation of claims. The other main section deals with the local arrangements with contractors carrying out clearing for the Department and checking on work conducted to maintain suitable standards. It also includes preparation of operational reports and assistance in preparing estimates and special reports. Information on the operation of the " Farmers' Land-clearing Assistance Act " has been supplied in answer to all requests of this nature. Rural Electrification In the past this field of rural electrification was felt to be the responsibility of power companies; however, due to the number of requests received regarding this subject, a start has been made to supply some of the answers. One talk was presented on " The Orderly Approach to Electrification on the Farm." In order to present readily available information to those interested in rural electrification, a review of all publications on this subject is well under way, and at the present time a bibliography of the most suitable publications is in the process of printing and will be distributed early in the new year. This start in the rural electrification problems will be followed up in the coming year if interest is maintained. LAND-CLEARING OPERATIONS Equipment carrying out land-clearing in 1955 can be divided into Government- owned equipment and contractors' equipment. The Land Clearing Division operated two outfits during 1955. The outfit composed of three Caterpillar D-7's, under foreman A. L. Peterson, cleared land in the North Okanagan-Mainline area, then moved to the Similkameen Valley until winter shut-down. The other outfit, composed of three Caterpillar D-8's, under foreman A. A. Cameron, cleared land in the Sooke, Metchosin, and DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 121 Saanich areas of Vancouver Island, then finished the season on Saltspring Island. The two units operated a total of 7,212 pay-hours, which amounted to $92,558.79. All other equipment used in the land-clearing operations was obtained through private contractors. Agreements were signed with twenty-four contractors who were located in various areas, thereby extending assistance to almost every area of the Province with the exception of the Fraser Valley. This was the first year that assistance was offered in the Peace River Block of British Columbia, where the demand was in excess of the amount of work which available machines could complete. Only sixteen contractors operated fairly steadily. The remaining eight were either hired for one or two isolated jobs or failed to carry out any clearing. Total volume of work completed by contractors was $128,663.51. No experimental work was conducted during the past year. Cutting and piling blades were investigated with a view to fabricating equipment suited to the area if Government-owned machines were moved into the Peace River Block. A new skeleton- type blade was purchased for trial on Vancouver Island but could not be used due to late arrival. The disk-type breaking equipment has been well accepted, with the result that some contractors have purchased this type of machine for their clearing operations. Clearing costs in the Peace River Block indicated that fairly heavy cover is encountered on land still to be cleared, and that tractors having 80 to 100 horse-power are required if costs are to be kept at a reasonable figure. Summary of Land-clearing, 1955 District Number of Contracts Acreage Cleared Average Cost per Acre Arrangements 102 9 47 22 1 19 1 528.0 171.0 324.5 336.0 137.0 12.0 278.0 20.0 $78.00 43.77 75.55 Similkameen - ,. Government machines. 2 I 48.5 32 22 10 6 176.5 f 425.01 } 173.02 148.0 13.0 f5,315.5i | 434.02 Prince George - - . - 21.70 8.70 32.06 98.96 12.15 9.52 ) Contractor. f i Cleared. - Broken. Total, 7,932.5 acres. DOMESTIC WATER DEVELOPMENT (R. W. Brown, Fort St. John) Eight dugouts were constructed of the required size (150 by 60 by 12 to 14 feet deep), at a total cost of $2,131 (average $264). Dugouts were very difficult to sell to the farmers. It would appear they would rather spend $100 for bulldozer work patching up some old scoop-out. This year a large number of farmers were short of water. Many were forced to sell off all live stock at the beginning of winter. Many more curtailed their plans for feeding live stock over winter. It is hoped these large dugouts will speak for themselves and show the farmers the value of a dependable water-supply. Also, it is hoped that a few may be persuaded to put in a filter well for their house supply. Valued assistance was given by F. Mertens, who was appointed Land-clearing Assistant late in the summer. Judging by the work this year and the number of unfinished contracts, interest will be high again next year. HH 122 BRITISH COLUMBIA Other land-clearing operations, not Government sponsored, would run between 1,500 and 2,000 acres. FEDERAL-PROVINCIAL FARM LABOUR SERVICE A very fine relationship existed between the Provincial Department of Agriculture and National Employment Services during 1955 in the operations of the Federal- Provincial Farm Labour Service. Eleven temporary Farm Placement Officers were engaged at various periods and located at strategic points throughout the Province. Nine National Employment Service officers also carried out full farm-labour activities. Weather conditions during the year interfered with the efficient placing of farm labour, particularly small-fruit pickers and tree-fruit pickers. Approximately 180 girls and women were brought in from the Prairie Provinces for small-fruit picking in the Fraser Valley. High-school pupils were recruited in Chilliwack, Vernon, and other strategic points during September to assist with harvesting of beans, tomatoes, apples, etc., and did a very fine job. Excellent co-operation was received from local School Boards. Considerable radio and newspaper advertising and publicity was used during the year when labour shortages arose. Total placements for 1955 and previous years are shown on the following table:— Year Dairy- farms Berry and Orchard Other Work Total Male Female Male Female 1952 ... - - 23,000 1953 —- 29,035 41,361 1954 _ - 1,060 1955 11,793 24,926 2,313 2,102 42,209 Fruit-growers in the Okanagan will have to provide better living accommodation in many places if pickers are to be provided. The industrial activity in the Province is such that farm labour is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain, and the situation may be acute in 1956. Great credit is due the Farm Placement Officers and National Employment Service officers in handling very difficult situations which developed from time to time. Excellent co-operation was received from fruit-growers' committees, Municipal Councils, School Boards, etc., in working with officials of the Farm Labour Service both at headquarters and locally. I wish to express my appreciation for the co-operation from B. G. White, Employment Officer for Primary Industries in National Employment Service. CANADIAN AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION COUNCIL A meeting of the Canadian Agricultural Extension Council was held in Toronto in March just prior to the annual meeting of the Canadian Council of 4-H Clubs. The meeting was attended by Directors of Agricultural Extension from across Canada, also Directors of Home Economics. A number of important matters were discussed, and emphasis was placed on establishing short courses, undergraduate courses, and postgraduate courses in agricultural extension in Canada. r DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 BIENNIAL CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON STATE HH 123 J. S. Allin, Supervisor, and G. L. Landon, Director of Agricultural Development and Extension, attended the biennial conference of the extension staff, research staff, and teaching staff held at Washington State College in January. This conference proved most educational and instructive. PACIFIC NATIONAL EXHIBITION Your Director of Agricultural Development and Extension continued to represent the Department of Agriculture on the board of governors of Pacific National Exhibition. This organization is very active in promoting interest in agriculture in British Columbia. BRITISH COLUMBIA BUILDING AT PACIFIC NATIONAL EXHIBITION Improvements were made in the Department of Agriculture exhibit in the British Columbia Building at the Pacific National Exhibition. Your Director of Extension continued to act as chairman of the committee responsible for this exhibit. The exhibit is open to the public several days per week and is attracting increasing attention. WORLD'S POULTRY SCIENCE ASSOCIATION Your Director continues as one of three representatives from Canada for the council of this association. SUBMISSIONS ON BRITISH COLUMBIA AGRICULTURE The Extension Branch, particularly the Director and Supervisor J. S. Allin, was very busy during the year working with other Departmental officials preparing data for submission on behalf of the agricultural industry. Mr. Allin worked on the preparation of material to present to the British Columbia Resources Conference to be held in Victoria in February. Your Director was responsible for the preparation of the submission on " Land Use in British Columbia " to the Government, a brief on the development of agriculture in the Columbia River basin for the joint international engineering group, and two briefs for presentation to the Gordon Commission. CONCLUSION The Extension Branch co-operated with municipal, Federal, and Provincial authorities in matters pertaining to the development of agriculture in the Province. I wish to express my appreciation to all members of the Extension staff for their co-operation and assistance during the year, and also to other members of the staff of the British Columbia Department of Agriculture, University of British Columbia, Veterans' Land Act Administration, Washington State Extension Service, and other agencies for their co-operation during the year. HH 124 BRITISH COLUMBIA APPENDICES APPENDIX No. 1 Plants Manufacturing, Processing, and Distributing Dairy Products during 1955 Acme Dairy Ltd., 130 West Hastings Street, Vancouver 3. Arlada Dairy (Mrs. W. G. Millar), Edgewood. Armstrong Cheese Co-operation Association, Armstrong. Armstrong Cheese Co-operative Association, 156 Victoria Street, Kamloops. Armstrong Cheese Co-operative Association, 64 Nanaimo Avenue, Penticton. Arrowsmith Farms (Nicholson Ltd.), Hilliers. Avalon Dairy Ltd., 5805 Wales Road, Vancouver 16. Baby's Own Dairy (H. Armishaw), 600 Albert Street, Nanaimo. Brooksbank Farms Ltd., 804 River Road, Lulu Island, Vancouver 14. Bulkley Valley Creamery (Paulsen & Kinney), Telkwa. Cariboo Farmers' Co-operative Association, Box 176, Quesnel. Central Creameries (B.C.) Ltd., 325 Railway Street, Vancouver 4. Chilliwack Dairy Ltd., Box 274, Chilliwack. City Dairy Farm (Barrett & Morrison), Cran- brook. Comox Co-operative Creamery Association, Box 460, Courtenay. Crawley & McCracken Co. Ltd. (Kemano), 1111 West Georgia Street, Vancouver. Creamland Crescent Dairy Ltd., 1335 Howe Street, Vancouver 1. Creamland Ice Cream Ltd., 1335 Howe Street, Vancouver 1. Creston Co-operative Milk Producers' Association, Creston. Dairy Queen Mixco (I. C. Mulvey), P.O. Box 55, Vancouver. DeClark's Dairy (I. DeClark), Ladysmith. Delta Dairies Ltd., King Edward Street, Ladner. Diamond Dairy (H. H. Trerise), Box 442, Haney. Dominion Dairy (Gordon Milum), Box 186, Golden. Drake's Dairy Ltd., 441 Sixth Street, New Westminster. Dutch Dairy Farms Ltd., 21 Tranquille Road, North Kamloops. Edgewater Dairy (D. A. Bowers), Edgewater. Egeskov Cheese Factory (K. E. Andersen and A. Jacobson), Box 570, Creston. Elk Valley Co-operative Dairy Association, Natal. Enterprise Dairy (W. Pighin), Box 379, Kimberley. Fernie Dairy (S. Barrett and W. H. Runions), Fernie. Frasea Farms Ltd., Postal Station " L," Vancouver. Fraser Valley Milk Producers' Association, 425 West Eighth Avenue, Vancouver 10. Fraser Valley Milk Producers' Association, 1166 Hornby Street, Vancouver 1. Fraser Valley Milk Producers' Association, Sardis. Fraser Valley Milk Producers' Association, Abbotsford. Glenburn Dairy Ltd., 3695 East Hastings Street, Vancouver 6. Hazelwood Creamery Ltd., 441 Keefer Street, Vancouver 4. Hillside Farm Dairy (Wm. Crawford), R.R. 4, Cloverdale. Hudson's Bay Co., Ocean Falls. Island Farms Dairies Co-operative Association, 608 Broughton Street, Victoria (now at 2220 Blanshard Street). I.X.L. Dairy Ltd., 145 Terminal Avenue, Nanaimo. Jersey Dairy (Jack Taylor), 130 Young Road South, Chilliwack. Jersey Farms Ltd., 2256 West Broadway, Vancouver 9. Kelowna Creamery Ltd., 1474 Pendozi Street, Kelowna. Kootenay Valley Co-operative Milk Products Association, 609 Railway Street, Nelson. Lakelse Dairy Products Ltd., Kitimat (head office, 2194 West Thirty-third Avenue, Vancouver). Lewis & Sons' Dairy (E. R. Lewis), Box 162, Powell River. Little Mountain Dairy Ltd., Box 396, Abbotsford. Lucerne Milk Co., 995 Mainland, Vancouver 3. Maple Ridge Dairy (Herbert Vogel), 661 Main Street, Mission City. Medo-land Farm Dairy Ltd., Port Coquitlam. Mission Dairy Ltd., Main Street, Mission City. Modern Dairy (D. M. Macaulay and R. H. Du- charme), Box 70, Marysville. Modern Dairy (K. F. Sharpies), Box 265, Castle- gar. Nanaimo Dairy Co. Ltd., 535 Franklyn Street, Nanaimo. National Dairies Ltd., 1132 East Hastings Street, Vancouver 6. Nechako Valley Dairy Co. Ltd., Vanderhoof. Northern Alberta Dairy Pool Ltd., Dawson Creek. Northern Dairies Ltd., Prince George. Northland Dairy Ltd., 401 Third Avenue, Prince Rupert. Northwestern Creamery Ltd., 1015 Yates Street, Victoria. Odermatt's Dairy (Paul Odermatt), Box 252, Fort St. John. Oliver Dairy (Henry Hettinga), Box 601, Oliver. Palm Dairies Ltd., Kamloops. Palm Dairies Ltd., 685 Baker Street, Nelson. Palm Dairies Ltd., Box 2115, Trail. Palm Dairies Ltd., 3333 Main Street, Vancouver 10. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 125 Palm Dairies Ltd., 930 North Park Street, Victoria. Peerless Dairy (John Lancaster), Box 456, Cran- brook. Penticton Dairy and Ice Cream Co. Ltd., 45-67 Front Street, Penticton. Peter's Ice Cream Co. Ltd., 3204 West Broadway, Vancouver 8. Pinelawn Dairy (Mrs. Dulcie Hamilton), R.R. 1, Back Road, Comox. Primrose Dairy (L. R. Singlehurst), Box 353, Williams Lake. Princeton Dairy (Sidney D. Atkinson), Box 286, Princeton. Regal Ice Cream Co. (now Colfax Ice Cream Co.), 1520 West Sixth Avenue, Vancouver 9. Richmond Milk Producers' Co-operative Association, 3277 Cambie Street, Vancouver 9. Rivers' Dairyland (J. P. Rivers), Palmer Street, Salmon Arm. Riverside Dairy (Alan V. Frear), McBride. Rose's Ice Cream Ltd., Drawer 70, Prince George. Royal City Dairies Ltd., 309 Sixth Street, New Westminster. Salt Spring Island Creamery Co. Ltd., Ganges. Seal-Kap Dairy Ltd., R.R. 1, Langley Prairie. Shannon Dairies Ltd., 8584 Granville Street, Vancouver 14. Shepherd's Dairy Ltd., 1645 Fort Street, Victoria. Shirley Farm (H. G. Morson), 5711 Kittson Road, R.R. 1, New Westminster. Shuswap Okanagan Dairy Industries Co-operative Association, Enderby. Shuswap Okanagan Dairy Industries Co-operative Association, 1136 Richter Street, Kelowna. Shuswap Okanagan Dairy Industries Co-operative Association, Salmon Arm. Shuswap Okanagan Dairy Industries Co-operative Association, Vernon. Silver Rill Dairy (Stanley H. S. Fox), Saanich- ton P.O. Standard Dairy (Mrs. D. McKinnon), Box 655, Revelstoke. Stanhope Dairy Farm (R. Rendle), 3578 Richmond Avenue, Victoria. Sunny Brae Dairy Ltd., Queens Road, Duncan. Sunnybrook Dairy (Hay Bros. Farms Ltd.), 1598 South-east Marine Drive, Vancouver 15. Sunshine Valley Dairy Ltd., Box 74, Grand Forks. Surrey Dairy (Mrs. F. R. Lipsey), 10410 Scott Road, R.R. 7, New Westminster. Tip Top Dairy Ltd., Box 804, Westview. Turner's Dairy (Mrs. R. J. Turner), 416 King Edward Street, Ladner. United Dairies Ltd., 1601 Second Avenue, Trail. Valley Dairy (Albert Doratti), Box 527, Rossland. Willow Dairy Farm (Theo Buursma), Parksville. Wood's Dairy (J. P. Wood), Creston. HH 126 BRITISH COLUMBIA APPENDIX No. 2 Inspected Slaughterings of Live Stock, December 1st, 1954, to December 31st, 1955 Date British Columbia Cattle Calves Hogs Sheep Alberta Cattle Calves Hogs Sheep Totals for Canada Cattle Calves Hogs Sheep December 4... December 11.. December 18- December 25.. December 31- January 8 January 15 January 22 January 29 February 5 February 12 ... February 19— February 26— March 5 March 12 March 19 1 March 26 April 2 April 9 April 16 April 23 April 30 May 7- May 14 May 21 May 28. June 4 June 11 June 18 June 25. _ July 2_ July 9- July 16 July 23 July 30 August 6 August 13 August 20 August 27 September 3... September 10. September 17. September 24. October 1 October 8 October 15 October 22 ...... October 29 November 5... November 12. November 19. November 26. December 3 December 10. December 17.. December 24- December 31- 2,222 2,265 1,994 1,410 1,760 2,294 2,343 2,383 1,927 2,004 1,950 1,963 2,046 2,185 1,901 2,231 2,207 1,954 1,681 1,861 2,060 2,165 2,157 2,134 2,310 1,852 2,182 2,433 1,685 2,274 1,873 2,440 2,524 2,298 2,168 2,346 2,255 1,968 2,499 2,321 1,940 2,681 2,396 2,312 2,324 2,052 2,550 2,540 2,687 1,931 2,652 2,852 2,315 2,213 2,145 1,707 1,502 656 756 392 236 102 307 381 284 240 253 316 315 288 222 229 339 428 421 269 259 349 176 232 580 401 304 5021 438 528 497 330 536 506 559 402 522 550 358 538 576 347 496 500 483 389 414 507 596 484 751 794 541 591 565 410 315 161 9,279 8,356 7,889 7,884 3,945 6,466 8,069 6,556 7,962 7,860 6,671 6,902 5,857 6,070 j 8,7271 8,584| 6,499 6,874 6,305 7,212 7,981 7,137 7,467 9,418 8,634 6,166 7,882 7,122 7,513 7,416 5,652 6,784 5,222 5,928 5,428 5,863 5,286 6,126 5,029 5,904 4,251 5,899 4,972 7,223 6,662 4,033 6,354 8,372 6,225 7,015 8,232 7,532 8,028 8,216 6,920 6,287 4,379 1,609 1,589 1,014 904 650 849 2,113 2,421 1,651 1,363 1,819 1,147 1,255 1,332 1,731 2,130 1,634 1,314 1,105 1,035 6,272 487 731 896 814 747 959 1,137 1,498 785 966 1,220 1,637 1,319 1,396 1,064 753 1,636 1,655 1,454 2,075 1,982 1,280 1,936 1,369 1,876 2,185 1,912 2,104 2,074 1,981 1,679 1,272 1,452 1,495 1,761 862 5,426 4,974 4,769 4,101 4,149 5,590 6,266 6,317 6,273 6,072 4,770 5,287 5,059 5,323 5,321 6,005 6,098 5,510 4,394 5,080 5,381 5,184 5,4771 6,283 5,806 5,404 6,721 5,905 5,580 5,158 4,641 6,617 6,064 5,452 5,510 5,498 6,679 6,339 6,365 5,738 4,685 6,717 6,342 6,258 5,371 4,359 6,435 6,954 6,662 6,776 6,790 7,356 7,426 6,727 4,976 5,316 4,349 1,734 1,490 1,273 633 540 1,328 1,421 1,434 1,065 1,275 1,006 1,241 1,080 1,384 1,436 1,311 817 1,504 675 1,032 856 711 1,296 1,926 937 908 1,420 1,543 1,590 1,423 1,165 1,293 1,373 1,272 1,389 1,476 1,680 1,796 1,749 1,485 1,135 1,685 1,608 2,071 1,787 944 2,061 2,310 2,537 2,793 2,476 2,473 1,935 1,708 847 1,245 692 30,982 31,925 33,780 30,900 15,454 29,583 28,495 30,638 30,841 27,938 24,757 25,922 18,372 23,546 26,989 26,289 21,459 26,811 23,038 27,434 26,697 24,608 28,440 36,363 27,201 23,807 28,079 27,448 24,947 25,865 20,436 24,891 22,165 21,967 20,839 18,062 19,854 19,302 16,474 17,496 16,261 16,615 15,697 22,900 15,734 13,849 23,800 28,805 25,291 31,867 24,571 28,337 28,732 29,372 19,888 32,647 12,979 1,664 1,700 1,125 1,226 625 932 1,450 1,591 1,424 1,151 1,504 1,284 1,453 1,165 1,084 1,633 853 1,257 749 1,232 833 688 675 683 524 779 470 687 600 786 457 721 721 1,101 910 956 1,289 1,503 1,584 1,577 1,332 1,577 1,727 1,916 2,069 987 1,821 2,209 2,137 2,024 1,707 1,886 1,780 1,905 1,162 1,503 682 34,984 32,259 28,152 23,508 25,059 31,881 34,534 34,059 33,255 30,815 27,348 28,856 28,787 27,971 27,461 30,902 32,381 30,241 26,382 28,592 31,411 33,152 32,402 33,932 32,226 28,412 34,671 32,816 31,975 29,270 26,616 33,185 34,387 31,820 30,934 29,027 35,882 35,485 35,498 35,034 30,336 40,032 38,132 36,263 34,313 29,080 38,180 40,947 39,222 39,202 39,395 39,716 39,582 36,870 29,932 25,636 23,669 13,139 11,833 10,884 7,929 5,511 9,894 11,384 10,670 9,112 9,742 10,049 10,183 10,798 11,491 12,215 15,913 18,931| 20,917| 26,5221 22,285 27,770 29,706 27,543 24,314 22,280 19,733 20,803 19,552 18,748 16,476 15,503 16,992 17,491 16,562 14,228 14,191 15,377 16,560 15,950 15,634 13,424 16,726 16,732 16,948 13,730 10,700 16,255 17,213 15,423 16,498 14,543 14,244 12,708 12,688 10,167 9,192 5,948 119,627 118,320 134,552 99,769 71,739 110,874 113,424 111,095 119,665 105,524 105,321 101,934 95,722 100,973 109,799 115,051 96,855 113,027 99,204 114,301 115,068 111,227 111,495 120,942 107,616 100,387 103,697 101,963 102,853 101,960 86,409 99,645 90,499 89,737 85,325 81,345 85,957 88,399 87,737 87,876 85,992 94,643 98,679 115,247 105,551 94,661 121,253 137,048 129,348 137,179 128,561 132,786 131,273 140,188 108,371 124,599 85,502 15,515 13,563 10,947 7,635 4,756 6,734 10,813 10,323 9,211 7,629 7,222 6,828 6,341 5,175 5,901 6,932 5,842 6,021 5,047 5,266 4,897 3,703 3,423 3,671 3,555 3,572 3,911 4,140 5,318 4,858 5,619 6,884 8,221 9,989 9,738 10,252 11,187 16,319 17,597 17,422 14,741 21,115 23,672 24,730 19,438 16,654 24,692 30,892 31,279 31,178 22,591 19,452 15,197 13,783 9,801 7,848 4,942 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 127 APPENDIX No. 3 Beef Carcasses Graded in British Columbia, December 1st, 1954, to December 31st, 1955 Date Total Kill B Di D2 D3 M December 4.... December 11- December 18.. December 25- December 31- January 8 January 15 January 22 January 29 February 5 .— February 12— February 19.... February 26 March 5 March 12. March 19 March 26— April 2...... April 9 April 16 April 23 April 30- May 7 May 14 May 21 May 28 June 4 June 11— June 18 June 25 July 2... July 9. July 16 July 23. July 30. August 6 August 13 August 20 August 27 September 3.... September 10- September 17.. September 24.. October 1.. _ October 8 October 15 October 22 October 29 November 5. November 12.. November 19... November 26... December 3 — December 10... December 17— December 24— December 31... ,222 ,265 702 ,132 330 ,294 ,343 ,383 ,927 .004 .950 963 046 185 901 231 207 954 681 861 ,060 165 157 ,134 ,310 852 182 433 .685 274 873 440 524 298 168 346 255 968 499 321 940 681 396 312 324 252 550 540 687 931 652 852 315 213 145 552 657 667 687 290 253 1,100 1,004 822 922 774 744 831 830 819 1,021 729 1,060 1,031 818 708 767 968 1,162 1,075 862 962 1,048 1,013 1,197 674 1,109 868 1,087 1,113 1,042 936 1,096 1,120 715 1,125 1,077 890 1,252 953 881 899 716 950 870 993 739 832 810 667 908 544 646 787 285 343 223 143 395 319 276 290 252 294 366 252 315 375 324 314 342 370 296 294 300 273 295 349 314 267 321 380 212 329 280 367 367 315 278 300 290 235 317 252 200 309 384 364 274 228 366 473 355 308 439 510 429 243 148 244 218 395 454 419 187 417 405 484 431 357 400 291 353 430 336 295 334 294 332 241 308 330 297 352 371 385 206 336 279 183 287 236 373 362 386 368 400 334 448 449 348 334 382 427 420 427 350 452 496 476 315 488 596 442 369 401 267 310 72 75 80 41 57 55 104 66 70 61 66 80 62 77 67 72 84 77 47 78 80 82 89 100 88 44 109 94 82 83 73 131 102 117 117 74 88 101 143 75 64 100 94 112 130 87 117 95 85 48 131 120 96 86 113 29 63 209 161 148 98 109 257 160 249 180 209 136 152 137 145 140 147 94 83 97 109 105 43 87 94 157 39 61 115 121 116 71 96 161 97 122 166 165 127 163 153 101 153 89 118 142 222 171 168 236 98 126 224 134 129 149 101 104 106 95 83 38 43 61 74 95 47 71 52 61 45 73 76 66 60 61 80 63 77 54 42 56 80 56 79 81 86 84 61 84 79 67 76 52 42 69 46 77 45 127 107 95 95 114 93 92 125 87 125 70 134 104 144 36 32 349 375 340 253 130 130 281 205 143 143 135 184 179 116 204 160 218 151 160 187 139 193 156 173 222 128 159 199 233 188 206 199 269 176 168 162 152 218 151 187 194 275 207 238 235 270 337 260 351 251 435 440 336 329 578 203 125 139 75 119 119 79 63 142 125 104 82 73 51 59 42 66 78 84 62 52 55 61 61 61 129 102 64 104 88 94 78 78 103 71 98 103 96 64 55 105 152 112 83 135 84 122 265 64 86 66 85 76 82 77 45 68 26 18 HH 128 BRITISH COLUMBIA APPENDIX No. 4 Average Prices for Cattle, December 1st, 1954, to December 31st, 1955 Date Vancouver Good Steers Veal Calves Cal gary Good Veal Steers Calves $19.61 $15.28 18.09 14.74 18.78 15.23 19.00 16.88 18.71 20.25 18.54 18.61 18.65 20.48 18.74 20.49 18.73 20.71 18.38 20.74 17.78 20.70 17.54 20.51 17.09 21.38 16.67 21.60 16.87 21.38 16.81 21.56 17.42 20.75 17.94 24.84 18.07 24.19 17.92 24.69 18.53 26.84 18.22 25.25 18.19 22.75 17.90 22.07 18.17 22.89 18.43 23.34 18.40 24.81 18.21 23.07 18.20 23.45 Date Vancouver Good Steers Veal Calves Calgary Good Steers Veal Calves December 4 December 11— December 18— December 25... December 31— January 8 January 15 January 22 January 29 February 5 February 12 February 19— February 26. March 5 March 12 March 19. March 26 April 2 April 9. April 16- April 23 — April 30 May 7 May 14 May 21 May 28 June 4 June 11— - June 18 $18.60 18.50 19.05 18.00 19.00 19.05 18.55 19.30 19.00 18.70 18.95 18.65 18.50 18.75 18.65 18.55 18.00 18.50 18.65 18.45 17.50 18.40 18.10 19.00 $17.45 17.65 17.75 18.00 17.00 17.15 18.40 20.25 20.90 20.75 23.25 22.50 22.15 22.50 23.00 22.40 19.50 22.50 20.25 24.15 23.40 22.50 24.40 24.50 22.25 June 25 July 2 July 9 July 16 July 23 July 30 August 6. August 13 August 20 August 27 September 3... September 10 September 17. September 24. October 1 October 8 October 15 October 22 October 29 November 5... November 12. November 19. November 26- December 3.... December 10.. December 17.. December 24- December 31.. $18.55 18.65 19.00 18.15 18.50 19.00 19.25 18.90 18.65 18.05 18.25 18.40 18.50 17.85 18.65 18.00 18.80 18.60 18.75 18.00 17.90 17.00 17.25 18.75 $21.90 21.50 21.50 21.50 20.75 17.75 17.05 17.45 17.00 16.75 17.50 16.55 16.65 19.25 16.13 16.95 16.40 18.50 17.00 17.50 $17.76 18.20 19.03 19.74 18.64 19.26 18.78 19.03 19.08 19.01 18.73 18.63 18.33 18.70 18.30 18.36 18.42 18.10 18.08 18.52 18.57 18.65 18.31 18.05 17.35 17.72 17.39 17.00 $21.23 23.17 22.50 22.30 23.05 24.23 18.72 21.26 20.08 19.11 18.11 18.31 16.95 16.97 16.64 16.36 16.89 16.95 16.79 16.74 16.64 16.94 16.65 16.96 17.34 16.99 17.55 17.47 APPENDIX No. 5 Average Prices for Hogs, December 1st, 1954, to December 3 1st, 1955 Date Vancouver Calgary Date Vancouver Calgary $23.05 24.00 24.10 22.50 23.25 22.50 21.70 22.80 22.80 22.05 22.25 21.05 20.30 20.50 20.30 20.05 20.15 20.50 20.66 21.13 21.46 20.80 20.80 20.90 21.53 22.56 23.68 24.42 25.32 June 25. $26.90 $26.19 July 2 24.35 $26.15 July 9 July 16 23.50 22.95 July 23 _ _ 22.75 July 30 22.70 August 6 August 13 — - 22.78 23.90 25.15 24.45 August 20- „_ 24.70 February 5 February 12 August 27 - 25.30 25.87 24.50 September 17 September 24 October 1- October 8 26.30 23.65 24.66 March 5 - 25.00 21.67 19.50 21.90 22.65 22.90 23.15 22.22 22.70 23.90 24.15 October 15 19.63 April 2 October 22 - 20.25 October 29 - - 19.75 April 16 - November 5 November 12 21.40 17.00 20.30 19.70 April 23 19.25 April 30 November 19 . 19.25 November 26 December 3 December 10 19.00 19.63 May 21 19.38 May 28 December 17.. 20.15 18.67 June 4 — December 24 December 31- 19.00 18.67 June 18 — DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 APPENDIX No. 6 Average Prices for Lambs, December 1st, 1954, to December 3 1st, 1955 HH 129 Date Vancouver Calgary Date Vancouver Calgary $18.00 18.00 18.50 19.00 $17.44 17.59 17.46 17.65 17.44 17.64 17.61 17.84 18.26 17.89 18.26 18.20 17.84 18.22 18.07 17.87 17.91 18.06 18.25 18.82 18.25 18.10 18.56 18.46 18.83 19.26 18.13 20.47 19.00 June 25 $19.57 July 2 22.56 July 9 $20.25 22.00 July 16 21.41 July 23 20.87 July 30. - 19.12 20.85 20.84 18.75 August 6-— 19.47 18.76 18.55 18.50 20.75 19.50 18.50 18.50 19.50 17.75 September 3 17.65 17.60 17.50 16.67 March 12 October 1 - October 8~ 15.90 March 19 15.90 October 15 18.95 19.00 17.50 18.00 17.50 18.00 17.00 15.97 April 2 April 9 - April 16 .... October 22 October 29 - 15.93 16.00 18.60 November 5 15.81 April 23 15.78 April 30 November 19- - November 26 - December 3 16.07 May 7 19.25 15.78 16.28 May 21 16.20 May 28 .. 16.48 16.48 22.75 16.09 June 18 HH 130 BRITISH COLUMBIA APPENDIX No. 7 Provincial Bull Sale and Fat Stock Show, Kamloops, March 7th to 10th, 1955 Number and Kind Highest Price per Cwt. Lowest Price per Cwt. 1955 Average 1954 Average $21.75 21.40 19.70 92.50 $18.20 17.85 17.90 18.90 $19.70 19.87 19.76 23.06 $19.44 19.43 18.83 Open singles and boys' and girls' classes 24.39 Southern Interior Stockmen's Association Cattle Sale, Okanagan Falls, August 3 1st, 1955 Kind Head Highest Price per Cwt. Lowest Price per Cwt. Average Price per Cwt. Total Weight Total Price 319 160 85 8 1 32 7 5 $20.25 13.25 15.35 16.50 10.10 17.00 27.00 23.25 $9.75 5.00 10.50 16.50 10.10 15.50 22.50 21.00 $16.77 9.74 13.22 16.50 10.10 15.92 24.66 22.38 291,115 160,395 55,030 7,140 1,175 10,720 6,500 4,220 $48,826.72 Cows Heifers 15,616.93 7,275.07 1,178.10 Bulls 118.68 Calves - 1,706.45 1,603.15 Open singles - 944.51 Totals 617 536,295 $77,269.61 Second Sale, October 26th. 1955 398 196 3 104 49 282 18 4 $17.60 11.35 13.25 14.60 14.00 19.00 13.00 $8.75 3.25 13.25 5.75 13.35 12.75 7.00 $15.32 8.05 13.25 12.68 13.64 16.18 10.41 342,080 201,825 2,650 73,530 30,100 112,985 25,120 $52,401.19 Cows Stags Heifers — 16,237.03 351.13 9,309.07 4,104.74 Calves Bulls 18,283.12 2,616.20 1,710.00 Totals 1,054 788,290 $105,012.48 Eighteenth Annual Cariboo Feeder and Fat Cattle Show and Sale, Williams Lake, October 6th, 1955 Kind Head Highest Price per Cwt. Lowest Price per Cwt. Average Price per Cwt. Total Weight Total Price 945 296 16 326 187 6 1 21 22 $21.10 13.00 10.80 15.00 18.10 2.25 15.00 10.60 36.00 $13.50 5.60 10.80 11.90 8.00 2.25 15.00 10.00 18.25 $16.53 9.94 10.80 13.73 16.62 2.25 15.00 10.54 22.91 867,362 304,675 10,127 213,870 62,933 3,221 466 28,949 19,304 $143,354.11 Cows 30,284.70 1,093.72 Heifers Calves 29,364.13 10,462.29 72.47 69.90 Bulls 3,051.60 4,421.62 Totals 1,820 1,510,907 $222,174.54 J DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 131 APPENDIX No. 7—Continued Williams Lake Fall Sale, November 3rd, 1955 Kind Head Highest Price per Cwt. Lowest Price per Cwt. Average Price per Cwt. Total Weight Total Price 809 377 10 399 7 237 30 3 $18.85 13.35 12.38 18.75 16.85 17.85 11.00 5.35 $10.75 5.85 10.25 14.10 16.85 12.10 10.75 5.35 $15.83 8.80 11.90 15.72 16.85 14.29 10.94 5.35 723,756 385,672 5,374 138,263 3,376 164,837 43,125 1,474 $114,576.27 Cows.. 33,944.36 639.28 21,731.54 568.86 23,549.64 Bulls - 4,717.90 Miscellaneous 78.86 Totals 1,872 1,465,877 $199,806.71 Twelfth Annual Quesnel Cattle Sale, October 18th, 1955 Kind Head Highest Price per Cwt. Lowest Price per Cwt. Average Price per Cwt. Total Weight Total Price 574 152 110 30 25 120 $18.20 11.40 14.10 11.30 12.00 18.40 $9.20 5.70 9.00 10.30 5.75 9.10 $14.92 7.89 12.33 10.83 9.66 15.00 524,185 161,276 78,788 27,750 30,197 46,345 $78,217.94 12,727.13 Heifers 9,714.97 3,004.81 Bulls 2,915.56 6,951.31 Totals 1,011 868,541 $113,531.72 Christmas Fat Stock Show and Sale, December 1st, 1955 Kind Highest Price per Cwt. Lowest Price per Cwt. Average Price per Cwt.1, 1955 Average Price per Cwt., 1954 Total Weight Total Price $22.20 21.70 21.35 100.00 120.00 $19.00 18.85 15.75 16.00 15.00 $20.63 20.17 19.09 22.49 20.89 $22.39 22.29 21.10 23.05 25.27 127,860 96,417 22,782 11,142 243,040 $26,372.62 19,444.75 Spares Open singles, boys' and girls' entries, and 4,348.29 2,505 57 Open singles and boys' and girls' entries, cattle 51,003.64 726.00 Totals 501,241 $104,400.87! 1 Plus Lots 285 and 307 donated to Salvation Army for resale, $194.14 and $238.05 respectively ($332.19), making a grand total of $104,733.06. 1955 Total fat stock Total Iambs Heifers Head Value .. 512 $101,169.30 - 115 2,505.57 6 726.00 Total sale 633 $104,733.06 Average price of qualified stock per hundredweight, $20.64. 1954 Total fat stock Total lambs Head Value .. 436 $96,597.85 - 83 1,798.50 Total sale -.... 519 $98,396.35 Average price of qualified stock per hundredweight, $22.76. HH 132 BRITISH COLUMBIA APPENDIX No. 8 List of Licensees Stock-dealers Allison, Barnett, Keremeos. Baird & Co. Ltd. (nominees, T. H. Baird and A. E. McClary), foot of Fraser Street, Vancouver 15. Baird, lames K., 1156 Cambie Road, Vancouver 14. Baker, H., & Son (nominees, Horace Baker and Herbert Baker), 515 East Tenth Avenue, Vancouver 10. Baker, Roger M., Loon Lake, Clinton. Baldwin, M. A., R.R. 3, Vernon. Barry, Douglas T., 9526 Wilson Road, R.R. 7, New Westminster. Bickle, Wm, Grassy Plains. Boulton, Eric D., Gabriola. B.C. Live Stock Producers' Co-operative Association (nominees, R. Y. Devick and T. A. Bulman), Exhibition Building, Kamloops. B.C. Live Stock Producers' Co-operative Association (nominees, R. Hill and K. R. Chowen), foot of Fraser Street, Vancouver 15. Bryde, Henry, 12768 Duncan Road, R.R. 11, New Westminster. Busch, Wm. E., Ta Ta Creek. Butterworth, Ernest, Box 15, Kamloops. Butterworth, Fred, Box 437, Kamloops. Cameron, O. W., Pincher Creek, Alta. Campbell, E. D., 141 Third Avenue, Kamloops. Cariboo Cattlemen's Association (nominees, Carl Dorin and Norton Olsson), Williams Lake. Carson, Edward, Bellingham Highway, R.R. 1, Aldergrove. Chung, Henry Yow, 350 Island Highway, Victoria. Circle "S" Cattle Co. Ltd. (nominees, J. P. Syme, Dog Creek, and V. Spencer, Vancouver), Marine Building, Vancouver, and Dog Creek. Creasy, Cecil R., Vanderhoof. Davidoff, Nikolai N., Pincher Creek, Alta. Davidson, Clifford E., County Line P.O. Dawson Creek Co-operative Shipping Association (nominees, Elgin Wilson and Henry McQueen), Dawson Creek. Dawson, Robt., R.R. 2, Kelowna. Diamond "S" Ranch Ltd. (nominee, C. B. Erick- son, Lytton, and V. Spencer, Vancouver), Marine Building, Vancouver, and Lytton. Doney, Albert, Saanichton P.O. Doney, O. T., Cowichan Station, V.I. Dorin, Carl, Box 249, Williams Lake. Duncan, George, New Denver. Eales, Reginald, 1036 Twentieth Avenue, Calgary, Alta. Edwards, Lisle G., R.R. 4, Vernon. Empire Meats Ltd. (nominees, J. and Wilfred DeLeenheer), R.R. 3, Vernon. Estrin, Harry, 1825 West Fourteenth Avenue, Vancouver. Evans, Frank, Armstrong. Fainstein, Harry, 3381 Cambie Street, Vancouver 9. Fisher, Milton D., Glen Lake P.O. Fitzpatrick, E. F., Alexis Creek. Flock, Ben, Oroville, Wash., U.S.A. Frolek, Chas., Box 188, Kamloops. Frost Auctions Ltd. (nominees, Gowing Frost, Langley, and Stacy Frost, Abbotsford), Langley and Abbotsford. Gibson's Auctioneers Ltd. (nominees, los. Gibson and los. B. Gibson), Langley Prairie. Green, las. H., Salmon Arm. Guichon, John F., Nicola. Haines, A. E., 16098 Trans-Canada Highway, R.R. 4, Cloverdale. Harper, John A., c/o Adams, Wood & Weiller, Calgary, Alta. Haslam, John A., R.R. 2, Nanaimo. Hassen, Mat, & Sons (nominees, Mat and Mat S. Hassen), Armstrong. Hogg, Geo. M., Lakes Road, Duncan. Hogg, Reuben, R.R. 1, Agassiz. Hogg, W. B., Box 512, Dawson Creek. Holmes, Harold R., R.R. 3, Nanaimo. Hook, Reginald, R.R. 1, Kamloops. Hopkins, Wm. O., Salmon Arm. Horton, R. L., and Frayn, Carl (trading under the firm-name of Vancouver Dairy Cattle Sales & Exchange), 1753 Westminster Highway, Lulu Island. Hotzon, Michael, R.R. 2, Duncan. Hoy, Foster, 545 Johnston Road, R.R. 14, New Westminster. Hubbard, Henry Wm., 1242 Cordova Bay Road, Victoria. Hunt, Stan I. (Hunt's Auction Mart), P.O. Box 393, Vernon. Hyndman, Allan W., Box 2018, Skaha Lake, Penticton. J. Brothers (nominees, John and Joe Azanza), Berry Road, Langley Prairie. Jackson, George P., R.R. 2, Salmon Arm. Jackson, George Paton, R.R. 1, Notch Hill. Jensen, Karl, Conrich, Alta. Johnstone, C. C, 47 Wellington Avenue, Chilliwack. Kamloops Livestock Co. (nominee, L. Turcott), 116 Seymour Street, Kamloops. Klontz, William, Box 351, Abbotsford. Kohler, Herman, R.R. 2, Duncan. Lanyon, Paul, Marsden Road, R.R. 1, Courtenay. Lidstone, Jas. Raymond, Vernon. Lock, Arthur, Box 1551, R.R. 4, Victoria. Lock, John W., Chemainus. Lock, Wm. Hy., Glen Lake P.O. Loudon, Frank Richter, Oroville, Wash., U.S.A. Lynch, Robt. R., Fernie. McConnell, A. E., 207 Chilliwack Central Road, Chilliwack. McFarlane, Jas. B., Dawson Creek. McGrath, Frank J., 1925 Erskine Lane, Victoria. McKenzie, J. W., Fort St. John. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 133 APPENDIX No. ^—Continued List of Licensees—Continued Stock-dealers—Continued Maki, W. O., R.R. 1, Nanaimo. Marshall, M. W., Box 252, R.R. 2, Kelowna. Martens, A. A., Box 27, Yarrow. Meltzer, Nat, 2575 West Eighteenth Avenue, Vancouver 8. Merin, Max, 622 East Georgia Street, Vancouver. Miller, J. D., 169 Lansdowne Street, Kamloops. Miller, T. A., Williams Lake. Murphy, W. Pat, Enderby. Noble, Ernest J., 2401 One "A" Street South-east, Calgary, Alta. Nowell, Geo. I., R.R. 1, Agassiz. Okanogan Livestock Market (nominees, Orval A. Rubert and Allen Stookey), Okanogan, Wash., U.S.A. Overwaitea Meats Ltd. (nominee, F. A. Johnstone, Box 536, Mission), 2999 Grandview Highway, Vancouver. Palmer, T. H., Barriere. Patterson, Miller L, Hythe, Alta. Pendergraft, T. W., Osoyoos. Phillips, T. F., 32, 1490 Laburnum Street, Vancouver. Placsko, Frank, Creston. Poplack, Max, 561 West Twenty-sixth Avenue, Vancouver 9. Powick, John, P.O. Box 144, Kelowna. Princeton Brewing Co. Ltd. (nominees, A. L. McLennan, Vancouver, and G. I. Schisler), Princeton. Rabich, Tony, Quesnel. Roberts, George, Marysville. Rudosky, Henry, Buffalo Creek. Rusticus, Yke, 4531 Berry Road, R.R. 2, Langley. Salmon Arm Meat & Produce Co. Ltd. (nominees, Gordon and R. L. Askew), Box 249, Salmon Arm. Saville, Jos. L., R.R. 2, Duncan. Schamp, Albert, Rayleigh Mountain. Schneider, H. H. (trading under the firm-name of Mission Auction Stables), Mission City. Seed & Pitts Packers Ltd. (nominees, A. F. Pitts, New Westminster, and J. H. Brisbin, 3842 South-east Marine Drive, South Burnaby), 430 East Eighth Avenue, New Westminster. Shannon, A. M., R.R. 3, Vernon. Sheline, A., 2181 West Eighteenth Avenue, Vancouver. Sheline, Geo., Box 542, Kamloops. Slomen, Harry, and Bryde, lohn, 333 East Hastings Street, Vancouver 4. Smith, Frank E. M., Osoyoos. Smith, Jas. A. (trading under the firm-name of Alexander & Smith Cattle Co.), Box 326, Kamloops. Smith, Jos. H., Matsqui. Snider, Harry, 3614 Seven "A" Street West, Calgary, Alta. Staffen, Frank, Berry Road, R.R. 2, Langley Prairie. Stein, David, 3216 West Seventh Avenue, Vancouver. Steiner, Edward, 2599 West Thirty-seventh Avenue, Vancouver 13. Striegler, Robt., Alexis Creek. Stuby, R. G., Fort St. John. Swanton, Geo. C, Duncan Auction Room, Duncan. Thomas, Daniel, R.R. 1, Saanichton P.O. Tweddle, Hal T., R.R. 1, Cawston. Todd, Douglas H., General Delivery, Kelowna. Watson, Jos. J., Smithers. Weightman, Harold, Birch Island. Wellman, J. J. E., R.R. 4, Langley Prairie. Wiley, Robt. W., Burns Lake. Williams, Lewis D., 525 McGowan Avenue, North Kamloops. Wingerd, Curtis G. (Curts' Cloverdale Auction Sales), Cloverdale. Wosk, Bill, c/o Independent Meat Co., 1170 Howe Street (rear), Vancouver. Wosk, Morris, 722 Trans-Canada Highway West, Chilliwack. Wrayton, Arnot, 17041 Old McLellan Road, Cloverdale, Surrey Centre P.O. Wright, Pat B., Box 432, Princeton. Zomar, Wm. I., Abbotsford. Slaughter-house Operators Adshead, Harold, R.R. 1, Ladysmith. Alberta Meat Co. Ltd., Box 460, Vancouver 1. Allertson, Chris, Bella Coola. Bailey, Mrs. Mary, and Fraitzl, M., Box 44, Nakusp. Borsato, Mario, 22958 Trans-Canada Highway, R.R. 7, Langley Prairie. Burns & Co. Ltd., foot of Woodland Drive, Vancouver 6. Butler, E. A., R.R. 1, Abbotsford. Canada Packers Ltd., 750 Terminal Avenue, Vancouver 4. Cariboo Cold Storage Ltd., Williams Lake. Cariboo Meat Packing Co. Ltd., Prince George. Carson, Ed, Bellingham Highway, R.R. 1, Alder- grove. Circle " S " Cattle Co. Ltd., Dog Creek. Clappison Packers Ltd., Box 58, Haney. Crown Market, Box 519, Grand Forks. Cuthill, E. F., Fort St. John. Dauncey, W. S. (Wilcock's Market), Courtenay. Davidson, C. E,, County Line P.O. Diamond " S " Ranch Ltd., Pavilion. Doney, Albert, Saanichton P.O. Doney, O. T., Cowichan Station, V.I. Duncan, George, New Denver. Empire Meats Ltd., R.R. 3, Vernon. Enderby Meat & Lockers Ltd., Enderby. HH 134 BRITISH COLUMBIA APPENDIX No. 8—Continued List of Licensees—Continued Slaughter-house Operators—Continued Ennis, R. S., and Handlen, J. A. (trading under the firm-name of Ennis & Handlen), 16098 Trans-Canada Highway, R.R. 4, Cloverdale. Fisher, M. D., Glen Lake P.O. Ford, Reg F., Quesnel. Gaven, Richard, R.R. 4, Vernon. Gordon Meat Market Ltd., 425 Bernard Avenue, Kelowna. Haines, Arthur E., 16098 Trans-Canada Highway, R.R. 4, Cloverdale. Hanson, Emil, Box 2, Nakusp. Hill, Lynn L., Box 511, Quesnel. Hogg, Geo. M., Lakes Road, R.R. 1, Duncan. Hogrebe, Karl W. (Fleetwood Cold Storage), 9188 Pike Road, R.R. 5, New Westminster. Hoy, Foster, 545 Johnstone Road, R.R. 14, New Westminster. Hubbard, H. W., 1242 Cordova Bay Road, Victoria. Hunniford, P. C, 9289 Kirkbride Road, R.R. 7, New Westminster. J. Brothers, Langley Prairie. Johnstone, C. C, 47 Wellington Avenue, Chilliwack. Jones, Edward L., R.R. 4, Langley Prairie. Kamloops Meat Co., Box 437, Kamloops. Kingsley, W. J., Box 42, Ladner. Knowles, Anthony, Sooke. Kohler, H., R.R. 2, Duncan. Ladner Meat Co. Ltd., Box 99, Ladner. Lafond, Jos., Lawrence Meat Market, Dawson Creek. Lock, lohn W., Chemainus. McGivern, B., 7312 Larimer Road, R.R. 3, Cloverdale. McGrath, Frank, 1925 Erskine Lane, Victoria. McLeod's Meats Ltd., R.R. 4, Cloverdale. Maki, W. O., R.R. 1, Nanaimo. Marriott, T. W., Kaleden. Marshall, M. W., R.R. 2, Box 252, Kelowna. Martens, A. A., 1182 Boundary Road, Box 27, Yarrow. Mouat Bros. Ltd., Ganges. Nelmes, W. B., Rosedale Meat & Lockers Service, Box 37, Rosedale. Northern Meats, Dawson Creek. Pacific Meat Co. Ltd., 8950 Shaughnessy Street, Vancouver 14. Powick, lohn, Box 144, Kelowna. Pratt, Ernest, Thrums. Pym, Wm. J., 6589 Pacific Highway, R.R. 4, Cloverdale. Quesnel Packing Co. Ltd., Box 967, Quesnel. Quist, Carl, Westholme. Rutland Lockers Ltd., Rutland. Salmon Arm Meat & Produce Co. Ltd., Box 249, Salmon Arm. Saville, Jos. L., R.R. 2, Duncan. Schulz, Henry H., Black Creek. Seed & Pitts Packers Ltd., Pitt Meadows. Shepherd, S., R.R. 2, Cloverdale. Skov, Sam, South Otter Road, R.R. 3, Alder- grove. Smith, D. D., Huntingdon. Spittal, David, Dawson Creek. Stuby, R. G., Fort St. John. Swift Canadian Co. Ltd., New Westminster. Talarico, A. and G., Grand Forks. Thibodeau Meats Ltd., Dawson Creek. Walkley, Mrs. Louise, Box 214, Cranbrook. Watson, G. H., 325 Wells Road, R.R. 4, Sardis. Weymouth, A. I., Matsqui. White, L. F., Box 357, Oliver. Wrayton, A., Surrey Centre P.O. Hide-dealers Adirim, Nathan, Nanaimo. Allertson, Chris, Bella Coola. Armstrongs' Department Store Ltd., Box 249, Merritt. Bailey, Mrs. Mary, and Fraitzl, M., Box 44, Nakusp. Barazzuol, P. (agent for Bissinger & Co..), Box 1005, Vancouver. Belshaw's Purity Store Ltd., Box 216, Merritt. Beylund, Miss E., executrix of estate of Wm. Hochsteiner (Pioneer Meat Market), Osoyoos. Bissinger & Co., P.O. Box 1005, Vancouver. Biddlecombe, Geo. I., Meadowbrook, Kimberley. Bradley, Lewis S., Bradley's Meat Market, 516 Baker Street, Nelson. Burns & Co. Ltd., foot of Woodland Drive, Vancouver 6. Butterworth, Fred, Box 437, Kamloops. Cariboo Cattlemen's Association, Box 249, Williams Lake. Carr, Geo. H., Creston. Chung, H. Y., 350 Island Highway, R.R. 1, Victoria. Compeau, H. E., Howard's Meat Market, Box 36, Osoyoos. Creston Valley Co-operative Association (E. Preston, manager), Creston. Enderby Meat & Lockers Ltd., Enderby. Falbo, Frank, Frank's Service Station, Golden. Fisher, M. D., Glen Lake P.O. Fulton, J. H. (agent for J. E. Love & Sons), P.O. Box 233, Calgary, Alta. Gammie, Alex., Lytton. Gordon, Ben (Gordon Salvage & Trading Co.), 730 Yale Road West, Chilliwack. Halford Hide & Fur Co. Ltd., 10509 One Hundred and Fifth Avenue, Edmonton, Alta. Henderson, Richard B. (agent for Martin & Stewart (B.C.) Ltd.), 6010 Fleming Street, Vancouver. Hendry, E. (Greenwood Meat Market), Box 395, Greenwood. ) DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 135 APPENDIX No. 8—Continued List of Licensees—Continued Hide-dealers—Continued Henson, R. A. (Creston Valley Lockers), Box 274, Creston. Inouye, Tomojiro (Vernon Tanning & Manufacturing Co.), Vernon. Ironside, G. R. (agent for J. E. Love & Sons), Box 233, Calgary, Alta. J. Brothers, Langley Prairie. Janson (Sr.), John, McBride. Jones, Edward L., R.R. 4, Langley Prairie. Joy, Robt. (Arrow Lakes Lockers), Nakusp. Lafond, Jos. T. (Lawrence Meat Market), Dawson Creek. Laursen, J. (Armstrong Lockers), Box 370, Armstrong. Leckie, J., Co. Ltd., 220 Cambie Street, Vancouver 3. Love, J. E., & Sons, 403 Fourth Street East, Calgary, Alta. (Box 233). McClounie's Department Store Ltd., Falkland. McLeod's Meats Ltd., R.R. 4, Cloverdale. McMynn, C. G., Ltd., Midway. Marshall, M. W., R.R. 2, Box 252, Kelowna. Martin & Stewart (B.C.) Ltd., 126 West Third Avenue, Vancouver. Mead, T. R. (agent for Halford Hide & Fur Co. Ltd.), 10509 One Hundred and Fifth Avenue, Edmonton, Alta. Meehan's Meat Market Ltd., Box 503, Revelstoke. Miner, Maurice (agent for Bissinger & Co.), Box 1005, Vancouver. Morrison, Jas. E. (agent for J. E. Love & Sons), Box 233, Calgary, Alta. Mouat Bros. Ltd., Ganges. Northern Meats, Dawson Creek. Paris Tannery Ltd., 51 West Hastings Street, Vancouver. Pinko, Raymond P., Swede Creek Ranch, R.R. 1, Prince George. Pratt, Ernest, Thrums. Quesnel Packing Co. Ltd., Box 967, Quesnel. Rebagliati, Geo. A., Lytton. Reber, Ulrich, Reber's Cold Storage, R.R. 13, New Westminster. Reinertson, C. W., R.R. 1, Summerland. Salmon Arm Meat & Produce Co. Ltd., Box 249, Salmon Arm. Schulz, Henry H., Black Creek, V.I. Scott, Robt. (trading under the firm-name of Union Meat Market), 197 Victoria Street, Kamloops. Simpson & Lea, 708 Centre Street, Calgary, Alta. Sladon, Arthur, Keremeos. Smith, F. E. M., Box 283, Osoyoos. Spittal, David (Spittal's Meat Market), Dawson Creek. St. Dennis, R. L., Pouce Coupe. Stuby, R. G., Fort St. John. Thibodeau Meats Ltd., Dawson Creek. Uptigrove, R. H., 3911 Grandview Highway, North Burnaby. Vernon Locker Service & Meats Ltd., 3011 Twenty-eighth Street, Vernon. Watson, Jos. J., Smithers. Wheeler, Owen, Rock Creek. White, L. F. (Quality Meats & Lockers), Box 357, Oliver. Wilson, Stanley A., Princeton Meat Market, Princeton. Wosk, Morris (Wosk's Sack Co.), 722 Trans- Canada Highway West, Chilliwack. Wyman Hide & Fur Co. Ltd., 10529 One Hundred and Fifth Avenue, Edmonton, Alta. Beef-peddlers Bailey, Mrs. Mary, and Fraitzl, M., Nakusp. Cariboo Meat Packing Co. Ltd., Prince George. Danko, Andrew, Box 245, Natal. Duncan, Geo., New Denver. Empire Meats Ltd., R.R. 3, Vernon. Gaven, Richard, R.R. 4, Vernon. Hanson, Emil, Box 2, Nakusp. Jansen (Sr.), John, McBride. Marriott, T. W., Kaleden. Petrowitz, Arthur, Box 332, Williams Lake. Pratt, Ernest, Thrums. Shoaf, W. B., Parson. Watson, Jos. J., Smithers. Weightman, Harold, Birch Island. Wenger, Adolf, McMurdo, Golden P.O. Horse-slaughterers Avis, Harold, Appledale. Butler, E. A., R.R. 1, Abbotsford. Chung, H. Y., 350 Island Highway, R.R. 1, Victoria. Fuller, Dudley, R.R. 2, Salmon Arm. Gregory, A. K, 675 Young Street South, Chilliwack. Hosko, Andy, Box 198, Natal. Hoy, Foster, 545 Johnstone Road, R.R. 14, New Westminster (slaughtering at Cloverdale). Joiner, Chas. Jos., R.R. 2, Sardis. Jonson, Axel (Dewdney Fur Farm), Dewdney. Makow, Michael, 915 Happy Valley Road, R.R. 1, Victoria. Morris, A. W. E., R.R. 1, Winfield. Reese, R. W., Sorrento P.O. Rusticus, Yke, 4531 Berry Road, R.R. 2, Langley. Staffen, Frank, R.R. 2, Berry Road, Langley Prairie. Turner, Geo. Thos., R.R. 2, Salmon Arm. Vancouver Rendering Co. Ltd., 1178 River Road, Vancouver 14. Yerbury, Fred. Chas., Box 914, Kimberley. Yerbury, Harry, Lister. HH 136 BRITISH COLUMBIA APPENDIX No. 8—Continued List of Licensees—Continued Horse-meat Dealers (for Animal-food) Dr. Ballard's Animal Food Products Ltd., 1178 River Road, Lulu Island, Vancouver 14. Butler, E. A., R.R. 1, Abbotsford. Carson, Edward W., Bellingham Highway, R.R. 1, Aldergrove. Chung, Henry Y., 350 Island Highway, R.R. 1, Victoria. Hoy, Foster, 545 Johnston Road, R.R. 14, New Westminster. Makow, Michael, 915 Happy Valley Road, R.R. 1, Victoria. Rusticus, Yke, 4531 Berry Road, R.R. 2, Langley. Staffen, F., Berry Road, R.R. 2, Langley Prairie. Uptigrove, R. H., 3911 Grandview Highway, North Burnaby. Horse-meat Dealers (for Human Consumption) Best-Bi Food Co., 633 East Hastings Street, Vancouver. Transport of Horses for Working Purposes Alkali Lake Ranch Ltd., Alkali Lake. Arkell, Robt., Bridesville. Baril, M. J., 100 Mile House. Beckley, W. D., Cranbrook. Bostock, Brig. W. N., Ned's Creek Ranch, Prit- chard. Bostock Ranch Ltd., Monte Creek. Bowers, Geo. J., Box 242, Kamloops. Bridge Creek Estate, 100 Mile House. Burt, E. A., Monte Lake. Cariboo Land & Cattle Co. Ltd., Chilco Ranch, Hanceville. Circle " S " Cattle Co. Ltd., Dog Creek. Coldstream Ranch Ltd., Vernon. Coldwell, H. W., Jesmond. Conner, N. E., Heffley Creek. Corbould, David, Rayleigh Mount. Currie, Jas. Douglas, Princeton. Devick, F. A., Heffley Creek. Devick, Ralph Y., 828 Columbia Street, Kamloops. Dorrell, D. C, Clinton. Douglas Lake Cattle Co. Ltd., Douglas Lake. Elkhorn Ranch Ltd., Windermere. Fetterly, V., Okanagan Falls. Foley, Percy C, Brigade Lake. Frolek Ranch & Sawmills Ltd., Box 188, Kamloops. Gottfriedsen, August (Indian), Kamloops I.R. No. 1, Kamloops. Guichon Cattle Co. Ltd., The, Quilchena. Hickling, C. E. L., 100 Mile House. Hook, Reginald, R.R. 1, Kamloops. 330, Horn, W., and Eden, D., 70 Mile House. Howarth, K. C, Merritt. Hutchinson, Fred, Knutsford. Hysop, Geo. W. D., Chase. Kamloops Indian Residential School, Box Kamloops. Kamloops Livestock Co., 116 Seymour Street, Kamloops. Keer, Warren, Marysville. Lauder, I. W., Quilchena. Lawrence, George Vincent, Box 61, Hedley. Mattey Bros. Ltd., Chase. Morrison, S. B., Knutsford. Nicola Lake Stock Farm Ltd., Nicola. Palmer, W. A., Heffley Creek. Parke, P. A., Cache Creek. Pattinson, Jack, Box 175, Cranbrook. Pendergraft, T. W., Osoyoos. Pollard, J. H., Clinton. Richmond Farms (Reg T. Millar), Soda Creek. Sam, Dennis, Lower Nicola. Sellers, W. A., Princeton. Smith, Howard J., Westbridge. St. Joseph's Mission, Williams Lake. Steffees, Rubert and James, Merritt. Sutton, F. N., Williams Lake. Thompson, Lionel, Edgewater. Walker, B. J., Oliver. Watt, Jas. D., Clinton. Willis, Garnet E., Keremeos. Wolstenholme, R., Okanagan Falls. Wotzke, Herbert, Williams Lake. Transport of Stallions for Breeding Purposes Lloyd, Walter, Lincoln Road, Port Coquitlam. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 137 APPENDIX No. 9 Cattle and Hide Shipments, 1955 District Cariboo— Williams Lake Cattle Hides 10,093 Alexis Creek, Quesnel, Lac la Hache, Clinton, 100 Mile House, 150 Mile House, Graham Siding 5,876 Lillooet, Pavilion, Bridge Lake, Lone Butte, Bralorne _ 1,092 Bella Coola - Kamloops, Nicola, etc.— 976 22 16 17,061 1,182 Kamloops, Chase 13,539 9,318 1,211 446 5,080 405 . ... 1,016 1,201 Similkameen— Princeton, Keremeos, 28,953 2,880 .... 1,306 3,263 136 833 District Central British Columbia- Prince George, Vanderhoof.. Smithers, etc. Burns Lake Okanagan— Vernon, Lumby Armstrong, Enderby Kelowna _ Penticton, Summerland Oliver, Osoyoos South-eastern British Columbia- Rossland, Crescent Valley Nelson, Creston, etc. _. Cranbrook, Fernie, etc Invermere, Golden Peace River— Fort St. John„ Dawson Creek Cattle Hides 1,173 476 362 1,556 25 5 2,011 1,586 4,001 3,267 2,396 681 3,469 1,799 431 2,355 98 1,246 13,814 5,929 304 1,360 4,142 1,203 928 613 522 486 7,009 2,549 303 3,974 421 2,677 4,186 969 4,277 3,098 Totals Compared District 1955 1954 1953 Cattle Hides Cattle Hides Cattle Hides 17,061 28,953 18,000 7,009 6,288 1,182 3,263 6,898 2,549 4,684 22,684 29,312 15,687 5,544 6,407 1,569 2,853 6,625 3,153 4,033 16,784 24,653 13,598 4,392 3,992 969 Kamloops and Nicola.- 2,443 5,777 3,539 Central British Columbia and Peace River — 4,537 Totals - — 77,311 18,576 79,634 18,233 63,419 17,265 APPENDIX No. 10 Yearly Statement op Slaughter, November 30th, 1954, to December 3 1st, 1955, at Clappison Packers, Haney Cattle Calves Sheep Lambs Swine Number Per Cent 1,705 28.19 117 1.93 6 0.09 80 1.32 4,139 68.47 Total slaughter 6,047 100.00 HH 138 BRITISH COLUMBIA APPENDIX No. 11 Shipments of Butcher Cattle to Vancouver Island Disease-control Area Date Calves Mature Stock Bulls Heifers Heifers Cows Bulls Steers 5 1 6 May 13 4 8 2 2 29 June 26 6 3 9 2 1 47 July. 24 3 4 8 3 42 17 1 1 10 29 September 28 10 21 16 5 80 October— 26 6 17 15 11 75 November 2 4 4 7 17 December. 13 10 23 141 31 71 64 2 39 348 APPENDIX No. 12 Summary of Blood-testing and Mastitis Examinations by Veterinary Inspectors1 Address Blood-testing Mastitis Examinations Inspector Number Negative Positive Suspect Number Examined Clinical Cases Number to Treat Number to Eliminate 967 588 779 1,120 1,100 2,315 2,539 263 976 1,082 918 551 762 1,049 1,033 2,220 2,412 253 959 1,022 29 35 15 56 40 79 91 5 14 42 20 2 2 15 27 16 36 5 3 18 715 2,059 642 2,464 345 192 2,945 231 218 1,144 133 102 44 82 67 15 277 6 27 85 101 75 36 80 49 13 227 6 25 64 32 Dr. G. M. Clark Kamloops Penticton 27 Dr. I. D. C Clark Dr. E. W. Gilchrist2 8 2 Dr. A. Kidd — Victoria 18 2 Dr. W. R. LeGrow Victoria New Westminster.... New Westminster Prince George 50 Dr. CF. Morris Dr. J. Mustard Dr. K. H. Thompson 2 21 Totals 11,729 11,179 406 144 10,955 838 676 162 1 Totals from December 1st, 1954, to December 31st, 1955. 2 Totals from December 1st, 1954, to July 31st, 1955, when Dr. Gilchrist resigned from the Live Stock Branch. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 139 APPENDIX No. 13 Calfhood Vaccinations in Disease-free Areas Area No. and Area 1946-47 1947-48 1948-49 1949-50 1950-51 1951-52 1952-53 1953-54 1954-55 170 14 2,206 51 3,614 736 269 504 1,078 30 3,433 530 321 453 148 70 221 1,349 2 24 3,936 667 280 504 197 120 330 39 13 2,637 5 55 3,750 539 414 682 209 51 375 31 15 55 14 1,617 3,503 5 19 4,298 557 473 740 201 43 460 20 18 52 2,074 4,858 881 113 43 4,554 618 703 653 220 63 469 10 9 50 5 2,306 7,116 1,326 1,084 102 39 2. Nicola 4,679 4. Alkali Lake-Dog Creek 660 569 6. Savona 7. Nehalliston.- 792 196 44 9. Princeton 10. Powell River 566 15 11. Burton 12. Squamish - 13. Gulf Islands - - 7 47 14. Saltspring Island . 15. North-west Kootenay— 27 2,255 17. Pemberton — 18. Cariboo - — 19. McBride 19 7,641 1,900 134 22. Kamloops — - 3,332 32 Totals- 170 2,220 6,252 6,557 8,752 11,315 14,807 19,331 22,954 HH 140 BRITISH COLUMBIA APPENDIX No. 14 Dairy Herds and Premises Inspected and Graded under the " Milk Act " from January 1st, 1953, to December 31st, 1955 Graded, 1955 Graded prior to 1955 Total A B C U A B C U Cariboo Coast Kamloops 4 6 4 28 2 29 1 2 5 11 13 1 2 5 6 2 1 12 4 7 16 64 6 Quesnel 59 Totals 10 63 3 29 1 13 2 24 145 Central British Columbia 2 1 8 14 15 13 1 4 2 1 1 1 2 1 5 5 1 3 3 2 2 20 1 27 51 3 27 Totals —- U 42 7 2 4 14 | 5 23 108 Fraser Valley Chilliwack 1 1 130 14 7 3 5 42 5 53 6 17 5 36 15 48 8 1 1 4 3 26 6 1 3 10 1 23 1 4 6 5 92 2 1 2 1 1 168 14 47 7 3 5 31 9 196 1 4 2 66 303 79 21 12 2 1 1 34 17 1 353 26 67 Dewdney 15 8 Hope Kent 4 14 84 18 Matsqui 310 8 Nicomen 25 13 Richmond 109 336 Surrey 224 Totals 2 386 17 178 7 935 [ 89 1.614 Greater Okanagan Osoyoos 10 5 4 96 37 27 3 32 19 16 1 14 7 8 1 163 69 Similkameen 48 Totals 19 160 3 67 1 14 1 1 16 280 Kootenay Cranbrook. Fernie Golden Kaslo Nelson 1 3 7 21 3 5 4 2 81 2 4 5 9 18 9 24 18 44 1 5 1 2 15 5 76 62 30 31 40 108 218 Totals 32 95 20 113 1 6 160 427 Northern British Columbia Atlin - 26 35 3 3 17 84 Telegraph Creek Totals 26 35 ... 3 3 17 84 Vancouver Island 7 21 11 5 37 3 25 20 24 2 5 2 8 1 22 10 8 26 5 67 78 56 44 12 171 101 69 57 30 Cowichan Nanaimo Northern Vancouver 311 222 138 Southern Vancouver Island 196 Totals 81 72 ...... 17 67 250 | -.— | 410 897 Grand totals 155 844 85 406 81 1,235 10 739 3,555 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 141 APPENDIX No. 15 List of Provincial Dairy Herd Improvement Associations Dairy-herd Improvement Association Secretary Supervisor (C) Chilliwack— Route 1 H. C. Clark, 236 Corbould St., Chilliwack- Ditto J. R. Hannam, 236 Corbould St., Chilliwack. F. Wiffen, 295 Maple Ave., Sardis. Route 3 N. Daykin, 217 Church Ave., Chilliwack. Route 4 S. A. Blaby, 816 McElwee Road, R.R. 1, (X) Comox Valley D. Russell, R.R. 1, Comox — Rosedale. H. de Blieck, 392 Twelfth St. Courtenay. M. Hansen, P.O. Box 14, Cobble Hill D. R. O'Brien, Maple Bay Road, R.M.D. 1, (E) Delta— A. W. Mitchell, R.R. 3, Ladner Duncan. Ditto (N) Dewdney-Deroche— Route 1 Ditto squi. J. W. Stephenson, General Delivery, Agassiz. H. Clair, Lone Rock Farm, R.R. 7, Langley. (L) Langley (Route 1) (M) Matsqui— H. L. Davis, Box 103, Milner C. A. Sward, R.R. 1, Matsqui V. A. Gill, R.R. 1, Matsqui. S. P. Harvey, Mount Lehman. Ditto (D) Salmon Arm-North Okanagan— Route 1 J. H. Thompson, R.R. 1, Salmon Arm Ditto.. - P. Hibbert, R.R. 2, Armstrong. R. Macgregor, Box 454, Pitt Meadows. D. S. Heelas, 1657 West Fifty-ninth Ave., Vancouver 14. C. S. Lillies, Box 392, Abbotsford. H. Bylsma, No. 5 Road, R.R. 4, Abbotsford (P) Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge and Richmond (Route 2) (R) Richmond (Route 1) (A) Sumas— Route 1 Route 2 G. Park, Pitt Meadows G. P. Crosby, 8483 Wiltshire St., Vancouver 14 J. E. Dayton, R.R. 4, Abbotsford. Ditto (S) Surrey (Route 1) Surrey (Route 2) and Langley (Route 2) (T) Vancouver Island (Centre) (V) Vancouver Island (South)— R. J. Livingston, 7051 Pacific Highway, R.R. 4, Cloverdale Ditto S. Baehr, 17172 Bose Road, R.R. 4, Cloverdale. T. C. Tryon, R.R. 1, Parksville _ J. Pendray, 4160 Blenkinsop Road, R.R. 4, Victoria R.R. 1, Langley. W. T. Calbick, 516 Churchill Ave., Nanaimo. T. G. M. Clarke, 3449 Cook St., Victoria. APPENDIX No. 16 Breed Averages for 1954 Breed Percentage of Total Milk Fat Fat Lb. Per Cent Lb. 4.1 8,538 4.06 347 20.0 8,347 4.76 397 42.0 11,248 3.66 411 22.7 7,688 5.04 387 11.2 8,836 4.38 387 Ayrshire.... Guernsey- Holstein J ersey Unclassified (cross-breds, etc.).. HH 142 BRITISH COLUMBIA APPENDIX No. 17 Shipments of Dairy Stock under Dairy-cattle Placement Policy Breed Males Females Totals, Both Sexes Calves Mature Total Calves Mature Total Ayrshire _ 2 1 1 i ~2 2 1 22 4 50 4 72 6 Holstein 74 1 4 i 5 22 54 76 81 Dairy-cattle Placement Programme, Summary, 1950 to 1955, Inclusive Ayshire (Number of Head) Guernsey (Number of Head) Holstein (Number of Head) Jersey (Number of Head) Totals (Number of Head) M. 1 F. 1 T. 1 | M. 1 F. T. 1 1 M. 1 F. 1 T. 1 1 M. 1 F. 1 T. M. I F. 1 T. 1 1950 1951 1952- 2 1 1 4 12 6 13 2 4 12 8 14 3 1 37 1 | 21 6 | 22 1 25 1 j 12 2 4 37 22 28 26 13 6 9 4 2 30 43 53 45 80 72 30 43 62 45 84 74 2 1 26 33 5 10 4 26 33 7 10 4 1 1 19 2 6 5 97 109 86 93 98 76 97 110 105 1953- . 95 1954 1955 104 81 4 37 41 11 | 121 132 15 323 338 3 1 78 81 33 559 592 M—Male. F.=Female. T.=Total. Dairy-cattle Placement Programme, Summary, 1950 to 1955, Inclusive, Placement Areas 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 Totals Area M 0J >, 3 S3 •a eg « u >, 3 CO •a >, 3 pa •a eg ej u 3 03 •a eg 0 a to <U >, 3 m eg 0) K u 3 m •a eg 3 m ■o eg W Central British Columbia and Cari- 1 25 7 3 ~67 21 2 27 1 7 2 1 2 48 10 37 10 3 9 2 8 5 1 1 3 52 4 24 14 6 1 4 3 9 5 2 7 2 10 18 32 10 21 3 7 4 3 4 14 10 6 13 4 2 4 4 6 1 31 14 13 13 19 4 26 17 68 16 40 1 7 3 8 112 46 Kamloops 177 60 12 1 40 144 2 15 1 17 19 Vancouver Island 2 | 6 1 1 1 4 [ 6 16 Totals 35 1 97 40 110 29 105 29 1 95 35 1 104 17 81 186 592 J DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1955 HH 143 Month lanuary _._. February _ March April May lune July August September October _. November December APPENDIX No. 18 Poultry-flock Approval by Month Poultry Approved -. 26,195 7,494 _ 3,610 _ 5,761 ...__ 4,645 ...._ 5,277 —- 13,272 — 19,935 —- 17,397 ...-. 61,747 ._ 77,877 .-- 48,788 Total 291,998 Month lanuary .. February March April May — June _ July August September October _.. November December APPENDIX No. 19 Turkey-flock Approval by Month Turkeys Approved __ 6,557 137 4,522 5,379 5,123 6,510 Total 21,534 APPENDIX No. 20 Vaccine Distribution by Month Month Newcastle Bronchitis Combined Units Total January.— February- March April— May June July August September- October November- December— Totals- 162,750 173,050 232,200 154,700 133,750 177,550 112,150 86,000 98,200 72,500 108,100 85,150 1,596,100 1,000 7,000 3,000 500 4,000 11,000 2,250 2,000 250 9,000 4,000 44,000 21,150 38,250 41,250 50,500 64,250 73,000 34,250 28,000 32,750 57,250 50,250 65,500 556,500 485 548 7K9 509 511 583 317 284 259 226 323 301 5,135 185,000 211,300 280,450 208,200 198,500 254,550 157,400 116,250 132,950 130,000 167,350 154,650 2,196,600 HH 144 BRITISH COLUMBIA o z W P. < o U Q o H D z H z 3 a o 5 H « o « w cei U CO OS o o >< OS p 1/3 c o u ej qj o « c z;* .Or-«ninOOOMOOOO j nco t rt c- m r- r- »n <n i-> Cr-r>oo^)ts>is-^D^oov)i-'Oo H *H ^4 rt r? . o oo m oooooooo oomor-oomoinoou-) "^ [^ ia in n -« I-. irt rl if) in in iri 1—I » >W-)NDO'-H[-~iritSNO»rjNC\£> cnr-NOOr-cj'-<r-'-''-<<NNoo CrnOuncom(noON(NNOON(N Q^H^Hfvj h(n v)*£i tt com H 3 O © 5 r- r- .or-moooooioooo rjoin-^foinouiinowiOi-i Gmu->mr-"tf,,t tN^Dcor-^ H ! 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Legislative proceedings
J110.L5 S7
English
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Original Format: Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. Library. Sessional Papers of the Province of British Columbia
Department of Agriculture FIFTIETH ANNUAL REPORT 1955
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