CONTENTdm
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954
Sessional Papers of the Province of British Columbia
British Columbia. Legislative Assembly
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PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA Department of Agriculture FORTY-NINTH ANNUAL REPORT 1954 VICTORIA, B.C. Printed by Don McDiarmid, Printer to the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty 1955 To His Honour Colonel Clarence Wallace, C.B.E., Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of British Columbia. May it please Your Honour: I have the honour to submit herewith for your consideration the Annual Report of the Department of Agriculture for the year 1954. W. K. KIERNAN, Minister of Agriculture. Department of Agriculture, Victoria, B.C., January 25th, 1955. BRITISH COLUMBIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENTAL STAFF, 1954 Minister of Agriculture: Honourable W. K. Kiernan. Minister's Secretary: Miss P. Hetherington. Deputy Minister: Wm. MacGillivray. A dministrative: Miss A. E. Hill, Departmental Secretary, Victoria, B.C. 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. Statistics: G. H. Stewart, Statistician, Victoria, B.C. Markets: *M. M. Gilchrist, B.S.A., Markets Commissioner, 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, Salmon Arm, B.C. *W. D. Christie, B.S.A., District Horticulturist, Abbotsford, B.C. *Alan E. Littler, B.S.A., District Horticulturist, Victoria, B.C. *W. F. Morton, B.S.A., District Horticulturist, Kelowna, B.C. *J. 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, Kamloops, B.C. *A. C. Carter, B.S.A., Assistant District Horticulturist, Penticton, B.C. *E. M. King, B.S.A., Assistant District Horticulturist, Kelowna, B.C. *M. G. Oswell, B.S.A., Assistant District Horticulturist, Vernon, B.C. *J. L. Webster, B.S.A., Horticulturist, 635 Burrard Street, Vancouver, B.C. 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. *I. C. MacSwan, B.S.A., Assistant Plant Pathologist, Vancouver, 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. *F. C. Clark, M.S.A., Live Stock Inspector, New Westminster, B.C. Thomas Moore, Recorder of Animal Brands, Victoria, B.C. T. J. Batten, Brand Inspector, Nicola, B.C. A. J. Duck, Brand Inspector, Kamloops, B.C. P. G. Lawrence, Brand Inspector, .Victoria, B.C. A. P. Newhouse, Brand Inspector, Williams Lake, B.C. * Member of the British Columbia Institute of Agrologists. 5 Z 6 BRITISH COLUMBIA livestock—Continued Bill • u n uve w k B h victoria, B.C. R. J-WEIR, Clert Live Moc Inspector, Nelson, B.C. j. J. Carney, D.V.M., VA, ^ / inspector, Kamloops, B.C. r^r^RK D ¥Ml'vetlr nary Inspector, Penticton, B.C. £ w r™r MR.C.V.S., Veterinary Inspector, Abbotsford, B.C. A Kjdd! OV.M., D.V.P.H., Assistant to the Live Stock Commissioner and Chief Veterinarj p t ud?£™v£»-™->veterinar*inspector' Neison> bc- I w R LEGiwDVM-, V.S., M.S., Ph.D., Veterinary Inspector, Victoria, B.C. S Munro, Deputy Brand Inspector, Clinton, B.C. 1 MusTard, D V.M., V.S., Veterinary Inspector, New Westminster B.C. K H. Thompson, D.V.M., Veterinary Inspector, Prince George, B.C T A Mace Superintendent, Dairy Herd Improvement Associations, Victoria, B.C. Harry Iohnson, Inspector, Dairy Herd Improvement Associations, 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. *K. G. Savage, M.S.A., Dairy Inspector, Vancouver, B.C. *D. E. Thompson, B.S.A., Dairy Inspector, Vancouver, B.C. *D. D. Wilson, B.S.A., Dairy Inspector, Victoria, B.C. Poultry: *W. H. Pope, Poultry Inspector, Victoria, B.C. H. C. Gasperdone, B.S.A., Poultry Inspector, Vernon, B.C. N. J. Supeene, B.S.A., Poultry Inspector, New Westminster, B.C. C. W. Wood, B.S.A., Poultry Inspector, New Westminster, 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. *R. G. Garry, B.S.A., Assistant Soil Surveyor, Kelowna, B.C. *A. J. Green, B.S.A., M.Sc, 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. *L S. Allin, B.S.A., Supervising Agriculturist, Victoria, B.C. ^p'Luyat' B,S,A-' Supervising Agriculturist, Kamloops, B.C. ♦ a V* rREST°^ o :SA-' SuPervising Agriculturist, Prince George, B.C. *t \v ^LLAN' B,S*A-' District Agriculturist, Creston, B.C. J. W. Awmack B.S.A., District Agriculturist, Cranbrook, B.C. R. C. Bailey, B.SA., District Agriculturist, Vernon, B.C. *R W bS «'S'^ Di8trict A^culturist, New Westminster, B.C. *G T* CaiZ* p *h Dlf1Ct ASriculturist, Fort St. John, B.C. *L F^CarmiThapt M^Ex!fnfon Agricultural Engineer, Victoria, B.C J^Carmichael, M.Sc, District Agriculturist, Grand Forks, B.C. * Member of the British Columbia Institute of Agrologists. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Z 7 Agricultural Development and Extension—Continued *D. C. Crossfield, B.S.A., Assistant District Agriculturist, Duncan, B.C. * *G. Cruickshank, B.S.A., District Agriculturist, Chilliwack, B.C. *P. E. Ewert, 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, New Westminster, B.C. *J. A. Pelter, B.S.A., District Agriculturist, Vanderhoof, B.C. *S. B. Peterson, B.S.A., District Agriculturist, Courtenay, 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. Gordon MacDonald, 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. p I H. Barber, Accounts, Land-clearing Division, 411 Dunsmuir Street, Vancouver 3, B.C. * Member of the British Columbia Institute of Agrologists. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Report of Deputy Minister i i Report of Statistician 15 Report of Markets Branch 20 Report of Horticultural Branch..! 23 Report of Apiary Branch I.39 Report of Plant Pathology Branch.... 42 Report of Provincial Entomologist 45 Report of Dairy Branch 47 Report of Poultry Branch I 5 \ Report of Live Stock Branch.. 55 Report of Field Crops Branch 76 Report of Farmers' Institutes 82 Report of Women's Institutes 8 7 Report of Soil Survey Branch 91 Report of Agricultural Development and Extension Branch 97 Appendices— W If No. 1. Plants Manufacturing, Processing, and Distributing Dairy Products during 1954 I 116 No. 2. Inspected Slaughtering of Live Stock, December 1st, 1953, to November 30th, 1954 118 No. 3. Beef Carcasses Graded in British Columbia, December 1st, 1953, to fl I November 30th, 1954 119 No. 4. Average Prices for Cattle, December 1st, 1953, to November 30th, 1954 120 No. 5. Provincial Bull Sale and Fat Stock Show, Kamloops, March 9th to 11th, 1954 _•_ 120 No. 6. Provincial Dairy Herd Improvement Associations 121 No. 7. Breed Averages for 1953 121 No. 8. Average Prices for Lambs, December 1st, 1953, to November 30th, 1 1954 - 122 No. 9. Average Prices for Hogs, December 1st, 1953, to November 30th, 1954 122 No. 10. Dairy Herds and Premises Inspected and Graded under the | Milk Act" from December 1st, 1953, to November 30th, 1954 123 No. 11. Calfhood Vaccinations in Disease-free Areas 124 No. 12. List of Licensees 124 No. 13. Cattle and Hide Shipments, 1954___"_ 130 No. 14. Southern Interior Stockmen's Association Cattle Sale, September 1st, 1954 131 No. 15. Seventeenth Annual Cariboo Feeder and Fat Cattle Sale and Show, September 1st, 1954 132 No. 16. Summary of Grain Screenings from British Columbia Merchants, January 1st to October 31st, 1954 — 133 No. 17. Summary of Movement of Grain Screenings from British Columbia Elevators, January 1st to October 31st, 1954 134 9 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 submit herewith the Forty-ninth Report of the Department of Agriculture for the year ended December 31st, 1954. The Report, as submitted, contains reviews of the responsibilities and activities of each of the branches constituting your Department. These are, of necessity, brief and general in nature. Detailed information, supplied by all of the branch and division heads, and by each member of the field staffs, is on file in the Department. This material provides, in the aggregate, statistical, historical, and practical data which outline comprehensively the extent to which your Department contributes to the welfare and development of agriculture throughout the Province. As indicated in the branch reports, adverse weather conditions during 1954 created problems and hazards which affected seriously farm production and farm operations within the Province. We were, however, in the final analysis in a better position than Canada as a whole and particularly the Prairie Provinces. Estimated net farm income for all of Canada is substantially reduced from that of recent previous years and 12.1 per cent below the figure for 1953. British Columbia farm cash income from the sale of farm products in 1954 is estimated at $103,623,000, an increase of 0.2 per cent from 1953. Lower prices of several commodities were offset by higher aggregate production. Farmers generally are concerned by a number of factors, including difficulties affecting the free flow of international trade, the apparent surpluses, the efforts to depress prices of certain agricultural commodities at various levels, and the increased costs of labour, goods, and services necessary to the efficient operation of an agricultural holding. There is a continually increasing demand and need for the various services provided by and available from your Department. It is more necessary than ever to review constantly Provincial, National, and International conditions, to determine trends in production and marketing, and their potential influence on our British Columbia farm economy. Departmental policies, programmes, and projects will, of necessity, require continued analytical examination and be subject to such change and redesign as conditions warrant. The active participation of farm groups and individuals, the fullest integration of activities of Federal, University, and Provincial technical personnel is becoming increasingly necessary in carrying out measures designed to strengthen the agricultural section of our economy. #' |p Further marketing research is essential. Means must be developed for conveying to, and impressing on, producers of agricultural commodities the consumer outlets, and the volume and demand in these, available now and in the foreseeable future, as well as the standards of quality and packaging necessary to maximum consumer acceptance. Steps which have already been initiated and others to be developed in 1955 will, it is hoped, contribute much to those objectives. M 11 Z 12 BRITISH COLUMBIA CONFERENCE OF PROVINCIAL MINISTERS AND DEPUTY MINISTERS §| The fifth annual conference of Provincial Ministers of Agriculture and their Deputy Ministers was held in the Province of Alberta at the invitation of the Honourable 11 Halmrast, Minister of Agriculture for Alberta. The dates of the meetings were August ^hose in attendance were the Honourable Colin H. Chisholm, Minister of Agriculture Nova Scotia; Dr. F. W. Walsh, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Nova Scotia- the Honourable C. C. Baker, Minister of Agriculture, Prmce Edward Island; S. | Wright Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Prince Edward Island; the Honourable C. B Sherwood, Minister of Agriculture, New Brunswick; J. K. King, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, New Brunswick; Rene Trepanier, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Quebec; C. D. Graham, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Ontario; the Honourable R. Robertson, Minister of Agriculture, Manitoba; J. R. Bell, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Manitoba; the Honourable I. C. Nollet, Minister of Agriculture, Saskatchewan; W. H. Horner,' Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Saskatchewan; the Honourable L. C. Halmrast, Minister of Agriculture, Alberta; Dr. O. S. Longman, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Alberta; the Honourable W. K. Kiernan, Minister of Agriculture for British Columbia; and W. MacGillivray, Deputy Minister of Agriculture for British Columbia. There was no representation from the Province of Newfoundland, and the Honourable Laurent Barre, Minister of Agriculture for Quebec, and the Honourable F. C. Thomas, Minister of Agriculture for Ontario, were unable to attend. The conference met in the Legislative Assembly, Edmonton. Discussions on matters of mutual interest and concern in the spheres of responsibility of Provincial Departments of Agriculture occupied the first two days. An opportunity was also afforded of observing various phases of Alberta's great oil and gas development through visits to certain refineries and plants one evening. The Government of Alberta entertained the delegates at a banquet addressed by Premier E. C. Manning. Arrangements were made to enable those in attendance to view cross-sections of Alberta's agriculture, including dairying, mixed farming, grain-growing, cattle-ranching, range management and conservation, irrigation, and the manufacture and testing of agricultural machinery designed to meet conditions peculiar to areas such as Southern Alberta. | The conference discussions were realistic, objective, and definitely valuable to all concerned. Detailed minutes are on file. STAFF CHANGES The following appointments and resignations were effective during the year: Appointments D. C. Crossfield, Assistant District Agriculturist, January 1st. Mrs. L. E. Stanley, Stenographer, January 13th. Miss F. Hodges, Stenographer, February 11th. Mrs. F. Y. Johnson, Stenographer, March 29th. Miss M. J. Robinson, Laboratory Assistant, April 11th. Mrs. M. J. McAlpine, Stenographer, April 14th. Miss I. M. Chisholm, Stenographer, May 1st. ?/* EwW^Gilchrist> Veterinary Inspector, May 1st. Mrs^M. F. Ritson, Stenographer, May 7th. C. H. Brownlee, Assistant Soil Surveyor, May 17th DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Z 13 A. L. vanRyswyk, Assistant Soil Surveyor, June 1st. R. L. Wilkinson, District Agriculturist, June 1st. Miss S. B. Neglowich, Stenographer, June 14th. Miss I. J. Knox, Stenographer, June 19th. Miss J. E. Griffith, Stenographer, June 21st. Miss J. C. Townsend, Stenographer, June 21st. Dr. J. Mustard, Veterinary Inspector, July 1st. R. L. Bradshaw, District Agriculturist, July 5th. K. E. May, Assistant Extension Agricultural Engineer, August 1st. D. E. Thompson, Dairy Inspector, August 16th. Miss M. J. Pavlis, Stenographer, October 4th. Miss I. B. Sparks, Stenographer, October 12th. Miss M. T. Hay, Stenographer, October 18th. Mrs. G. Perreten, Stenographer, October 26th. Mrs. H. E. Champoux, Stenographer, November 1st. N. J. Supeene, Poultry Inspector, November 15th. R. Klatt, Clerk, November 17th. If I R. C. Fry, Assistant District Agriculturist, November 23rd. C. W. Wood, Poultry Inspector, December 13th.% Miss M. Neale, Clerk, December 15th. Dr. K. H. Thompson, Veterinary Inspector, August 27th. Transfers Miss L. A. Jarvis, Stenographer, January 16th. Resignations J. R. Caverhill, Assistant Director, Land-clearing Division, January 31st. Mrs. E. F. Nikkei, Stenographer, January 31st. Mrs. S. M. Crooks, Stenographer, February 28th. Mrs. M. Mackay, Stenographer, February 28th. Frank Martin, District Agriculturist, March 31st. Mrs. M. M. Gowan, Stenographer, April 27th. Miss B. M. Coles, Laboratory Assistant, April 29th. Mrs. W. M. Morgan, Stenographer, April 30th. H. Riehl, Dairy Inspector, April 30th. Miss M. L. Sutherland, Stenographer, May 11th. Miss F. E. Forbes, Stenographer, May 12th. H. R. Anderson, District Agriculturist, May 14th. J. D. Lindsay, Assistant Soil Surveyor, June 9th. Mrs. F. Y. Johnson, Stenographer, June 17th. A. D. McMechan, Assistant Extension Agricultural Engineer, June 30th. Mrs. L. E. Stanley, Stenographer, June 30th. Miss N. I. Wicklund, Stenographer, June 30th. ^ T. W. G. Duncan, Assistant District Agriculturist, August 31st. C. V. Faulknor, Agriculturist, August 31st. Miss J. C. Townsend, Stenographer, September 3rd. Mrs. G. I. M. Ross, Stenographer, September 10th. Mrs. S. D. Fisher-Fleming, Stenographer, September 30th. Miss M. A. Skene, Stenographer, October 9th. Mrs. J. P. Holder, Stenographer, October 15th. Miss I. J. Knox, Stenographer, November 5th. W. J. Wakely, Poultry Inspector, November 30th. Z 14 BRITISH COLUMBIA Mrs E. Tennant, Stenographer, December 15th. Zs. S. M. Glassford, Clerk, December 31st. Superannuation G H Thornbery, Supervisor, Dairy Herd Improvement Associations, April 30th. W. H. Robertson, Deputy Minister, May 31 st. PUBLICATIONS The following is a list of new and revised publications printed in 1954:— Reports Agricultural Statistics. Climate of British Columbia. Bulletins and Circulars §Beehive Construction for Beginners A.C. 10 Grape Growing in British Columbia H.C. 78 Maggots in Turnips E.C. 13 Planting an Orchard H.C. 62 Silos and Silage B. 66 The Fraser Valley I No. 5 The Home Vegetable Garden H.C. 43 U.B.C. Feed Formulas for Poultry P.C. 37 Vegetable Varieties, Descriptions, and Uses H.C. 77 Charts Chemical Weed Control. Fertilizer Recommendations. Tree-fruit Spray Calendar. CONCLUSION Mr. W. H. Robertson, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, since November, 1950, retired on superannuation May 31st. A graduate in Agriculture from the University of Toronto (O.A.C.) in 1911, he joined the staff of this Department in 1912. Mr. Robertson had held successively the positions of Horticulturist, Provincial Horticulturist, Assistant Deputy Minister, and Deputy Minister. His long and valuable association with the Department was interrupted only by the several years he served with the 58th Canadian Field Artillery in World War I, during which he was wounded severely. §1 Mr. Robertson has the best wishes of the entire staff for many years of happiness in a retirement that will not be inactive. 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. I would be remiss if I did not convey grateful appreciation to the officials of the Canada Department of Agriculture and of other departments of the Provincial Government, to the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of British Columbia, to farm organizations and other agencies and individuals who have so generously assisted us throughout the year. Respectfully submitted. W. MacGILLIVRAY, Deputy Minister of Agriculture. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Z 15 REPORT OF AGRICULTURAL STATISTICIAN! G. H. Stewart, Agricultural Statistician I HORTICULTURAL CROPS Climatic Conditions The winter of 1953-54 was generally mild in all areas, with the exception of a short period of below-zero temperatures in the Okanagan District, which caused a considerable amount of damage to the fruit buds of peaches, apricots, and cherries. Snowfall was somewhat heavier than usual in the Lower Fraser Valley but about normal in the Okanagan and Kootenays. Damaging frosts were experienced on the nights of April 28th, 29th, and 30th, causing further damage to tree-fruit buds in the Okanagan. Cool, showery weather throughout the summer delayed the ripening of all fruits. Satisfactory weather conditions during the latter part of September and October permitted the apple-crop to be satisfactorily harvested. Cold weather and spring frosts reduced the yields of all small fruits considerably. Wet weather at harvest-time caused heavy splitting to the cherry and prune crops. Tree-fruits The 1954 apple-crop is now estimated at 7,121,100 boxes, an increase of 18 per cent from 1953. Production of pears in 1954 is now set at 674,200 boxes, 13 per cent less than in 1953. - 1 f gjS 1 The 1954 plum and prune crop is now estimated at 740,000 crates, 2 per cent below that of 1953. | 1 Latest estimates place the 1954 peach-crop at 667,100 crates, a reduction of 51 per cent from last year. The 1954 apricot-crop is estimated at 395,100 crates, 4 per cent below the 1953 production. Latest estimates place the 1954 cherry-crop at 256,500 crates, which is 21 per cent less than last year. Small Fruits The 1954 strawberry-crop, estimated at 700,700 crates, represents a decrease of 312,436 crates or 31 per cent from last year. Latest estimates place the 1954 raspberry-crop at 752,000 crates, 8 per cent below the 1953 production. Production of loganberries and blackberries in 1954 were slightly below the 1953 totals. The 1954 grape-crop, estimated at 1,370,000 pounds, is 40 per cent below that of 1953. | p 1 A comparative table of actual fruit production for 1953, with estimated production for 1954, is as follows:— BRITISH COLUMBIA Z 16 Actual Estimated Production, Production, 1953 1954 An22 b0XeS 6>002'477 7,121,100 ~pPies-T"T~ ___ 1 89,364 119 800 Crab-apples " nv> ann Jn*? Ppars I 772,677 674,200 pE< crates 103'200 95>40° P^nes HI I 651'444 644>6°0 Ses » 1,356,588 667,100 Apricots 1 I 411>770 395,100 Cherries I 1 325,945 256,500 Strawberries I 1,013,136 700,700 Raspberries 1 816>793 752,000f Loganberries 1 93J48 89,200 Blackberries I 48>988 40,900 Red currants I 2>386 3,000* Black currants j 9>121 6,500 Gooseberries j 3,952 4,600;E- Grapes | lb- 2,265,234 1,370,000| Vegetables The vegetable acreage is down about 1,160 acres from last year. Reduced acreages of beans, celery, onions, spinach, and tomatoes account for most of the decrease. The cool, backward season was not favourable to such crops as beans, corn, cucumbers, and tomatoes, and yields of these crops were below average. Yields of vegetable root-crops, including beets, carrots, parsnips, and turnips, exceeded those of the previous season. Prices generally have been on a par with last year. Actual production of principal vegetable-crops in British Columbia for 1953, with estimated production for 1954, is as follows:— Kind Year Planted Area Average Yield per Acre Total Production Average Price per Pound Total Value Asparagus Beans, green and wax Beets Cabbage Carrots Cauliflower Celery Corn Lettuce Onions Parsnips Peas, green Spinach Tomatoes Turnips Totals 1953 1954 1953 1954 1953 1954 1953 1954 1953 1954 1953 1954 1953 1954 1953 1954 1953 1954 1953 1954 1953 1954 1953 1954 1953 1954 1953 1954 1953 1954 Acres 186 440 1,439 1,270 358 330 560 590 895 860 431 410 632 560 2,149 2,140 688 650 987 790 111 110 4,037 4,240 468 370 2,767 1,800 311 300 Lb. 3,169 2,100 8,616 6,500 12,548 18,300 11,980 15,800 13,537 19,100 7,434 9,800 7,578 9,400 8,340 4,900 16,502 12,600 19,764 24,500 9,486 12,500 3,875 3,000 6,160 7,900 12,060 9,000 9,040 23,400 1953 1954 16,019 14,860 Lb. 589,400 924,000 12,398,628 8,255,000 4,492,300 6,039,000 6,708,967 9,322,000 12,115,395 16,426,000 3,204,302 4,018,000 4,789,329 5,264,000 17,921,765 10,486,000 11,353,640 8,190,000 19,507,527 19,355,000 1,052,910 1,375,000 15,642,795 12,720,000 2,883,069 2,923,000 33,372,650 16,200,000 2,811,450 7,020,000 Cents 18.50 17.00 5.30 5.00 3.55 3.90 3.36 2.80 3.06 3.10 6.49 6.80 3.64 3.70 1.73 1.80 4.09 4.20 2.59 3.00 4.24 4.40 4.83 5.30 4.63 5.30 3.80 3.50 2.68 2.90 148,844,127 128,517,000 108,950 157,000 657,599 413,000 159,361 236,000 226,030 261,000 370,601 509,000 207,906 273,000 174,672 195,000 311,148 189,000 465,236 344,000 506,065 581,000 44,635 61,000 756,187 674,000 133,621 155,000 1,268,065 567,000 75,519 204,000 1^59T 4,819,000 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Z 17 Field Crops The unusually wet summer throughout all areas of the Province has hampered field- crop production. Because of the favourable moisture conditions, pastures, although late in the spring, have produced well. Continued wet weather made haying difficult, so that much overripe or weathered hay was harvested. In the Cariboo, where ranchers depend on native meadows for hay, the wet weather hampered operations, and there is a serious shortage in those areas. There has been a large increase in the amount of silage put up to offset the bad haying weather. Grain production in the Peace River Block was also seriously affected. Because of the late spring, wheat acreage was down about 15 per cent and oat acreage also showed a reduction. On the other hand, barley acreage was up and more land is in summer fallow. Continued wet weather in the fall made harvesting difficult and lowered grades. However, fine weather prevailed during the last two weeks of October, which enabled threshing operations to be completed. Crop yields were only average. In the North Okanagan, yields of cereal-crops were good, but quality was down due to poor harvesting weather, as is true in the Creston Flats. Good yields of potatoes have been harvested, but late blight has caused considerable loss, particularly in the Coast areas. m §^ M w November estimate of the 1954 production of principal field crops in British Columbia, compared with latest estimates for 1953, is as follows:— Crop Area 1953 1954 Yield per Acre 1953 19541 Production 1953 19541 Spring wheat... Oats for grain. Barley Fall rye Mixed grains... Peas (dry) Potatoes Flax-seed Tame hay Fodder-corn. Acres Acres Bu. Bu. Bu. 81,400 70,000 32.0 25.0 2,605,000 98,000 84,400 57.0 47.0 5,586,000 67,900 75,400 40.0 | 31.0 2,716,000 5,500 5,000 29.0 20.0 160,000 2,900 2,900 57.0 43.0 165,000 2,100 2,400 27.5 33.0 58,000 11,300 10,200 300.0 282.0 3,390,000 5,000 10,000 15.0 10.0 75,000 Tons Tons Tons 309,000 304,000 2.50 2.40 772,000 3,100 2,400 12.50 14.00 38,800 Bu. 1,750,000 3,967,000 2,337,000 100,000 125,000 79,000 2,876,000 100,000 Tons 730,000 33,600 1 As indicated on basis of conditions on or about October 15th. Forage-seed crops are down, particularly the legumes, and again the wet season prevented good harvesting weather and proper seed-set. Creeping red fescue, produced entirely in the Peace River District, was up slightly over last year. The following table gives in summary the forage-seed production for 1953, and the estimated production for 1954 at the end of October:— 1953 <Xb.) Alfalfa 530,000 Red clover (double cut) 400,000 Red clover (altaswede) 125,000 Alsike 400,000 Sweet clover 350,000 White clover (including Ladino) 2,800 Alsike-timothy mix 100,000 Timothy | 220,000 Brome 125,000 Creeping red fescue 600,000 Reed canary 2,000 Orchard-grass - 1,250 Red-top 22,400 1954 (Lb.) 150,000 50,000 110,000 400,000 225,000 200,000 250,000 100,000 700,000 i 6,000 2,600 17,000 BRITISH COLUMBIA Z 18 LIVE STOCK The estimated total number of cattle and calves on farms at June 1st, 1954, Was 177 000 as compared with 352,000 at June 1st, 1953, an increase of 7 per cent. Was Sheep and lamb numbers have also continued to increase but at a more moderate rate The increase was about 2 per cent over June 1st, 1953. " Hogs on farms at June 1st, 1954, estimated at 47 000, were up 12 per cent above the 42 000 at June 1st, 1953. The Province is not basically set up to make swine- raising'a major live-stock production effort. We can only look to our grain-raisb areas such as the Peace River Block, for any great increase or for substantial permanence Cattle sales to date have been encouraging, with prices quite satisfactory, due in part to strong buying for export 9HBB 1 M Numbers of live stock on farms in British Columbia at June 1st, years 1953 and 1954, are as follows:— 1953 1954 Cattle and calves 352,000 377,000 Sheep and lambs 81,000 83,000 Hogs 42,000 47,000 Horses 30,300 31,000 POULTRY The total number of poultry on farms at June 1st, 1954, is estimated at 4,433,... birds, an increase of 6.3 per cent from the estimate of 4,167,000 birds on farms at June 1st, 1953. Total hens and chickens increased 6 per cent to 4,130,000. Turkeys, at 265,000 birds, were 18 per cent above 1953 numbers at June 1st. The outstanding highlight of the current year has been the increase in consumer demand for eviscerated poultry, and several processing plants have put or are putting in the necessary equipment to handle this business. In order to present a picture of the industry, the following statistical data are given:— Poultry Population at June 1st Year Hens and Chickens Turkeys Geese Ducks 1951 3,452,000 3,840,000 3,900,000 4,130,000 243,000 300,000 225,000 265,000 14,000 21,000 15,000 14,000 20,000 1952 jp 25,000 1953 27,000 1954 24,000 Production of Baby Chicks Year Chicks Hatched 1951 1952 1953 1954 to October 31st. 6,234,426 5,852,539 7,018,569 6,605,099 Production of Turkey Poults Year 1951 1952 1953 1954 to July 31st Chicks Exported 750,991 522,746 420,867 603,580 Poults Hatched 356,069 464,202 345,519 531,709 Chicks Destroyed 595,950 841,368 715,176 1,210,260 Poults Exported 96,185 162,852 165,716 162,110 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Z 19 Farm egg production during the first ten months of 1954 is estimated at 21,771,000 dozen, as compared with 19,817,000 dozen for the same period in 1953. J| DAIRYING The number of cows kept mainly for milk purposes at June 1st increased from 94,000 in 1953 to 100,000 in 1954, an increase of 6 per cent. Pasturage conditions were favourable throughout the season. The cool, damp summer, however, made it very difficult to harvest a top-grade hay in most areas, and while the present trend toward using more grass silage will help to relieve the feed situation, there will be a shortage of good hay in many districts. It is estimated that total milk production for 1954 will show an increase of about 8 per cent over the 1953 total of 725,126,000 pounds. Creamery butter production for the period January to November this year totals 6,329,393 pounds, as against 4,705,653 pounds in the corresponding period of 1953, an increase of 1,623,740 pounds or 34.5 per cent. Of the other manufactured products, Cheddar-cheese production is up approximately 25 per cent and powdered milk about 26 per cent. Due to a cool summer, ice-cream production is down about 1 per cent. Evaporated-milk production for 1954 will be down about 5 per cent from the total for the year previous. Fluid-milk prices, as a whole, have been slightly lower to both the producer and consumer than in 1953. The fact that we are an importing Province in so far as butter, cheese, and concentrated milk products are concerned, coupled with a steady increase in our population, would indicate a more or less assured market for milk and milk products. 1 MISCELLANEOUS Preliminary estimates indicate a honey-crop in 1954 of 1,067,000 pounds. This is about 7 per cent less than the 1953 crop of 1,150,000 pounds. The drop in production this year was attributed to low average yields per colony resulting from unfavourable weather conditions experienced throughout the Province, particularly in the Peace River District. The number of beekeepers was up by 6 per cent, and colony numbers increased 10 per cent. - The 1954 hop-crop is estimated at 1,622,000 pounds from 1,030 acres, or an average yield of 1,575 pounds per acre, as compared with the final estimate for 1953 of 1,692,000 pounds from 934 acres, or an average yield of 1,812 pounds per acre. Z 20 BRITISH COLUMBIA Estimated Cash Income from the Sale of Farm Products, British Columbia January to September, 1952-54 Wheat- Oats— Barley- Flax 1 Clover and grass seed Hay and clover Total grains, seeds, and hay- Potatoes Vegetables Tobacco..;. r Total vegetable and other field crops Cattle and calves Sheep and lambs Hogs Poultry Total live stock and poultry- Dairy products Fruits Eggs Wool Honey Total other principal farm products- Miscellaneous farm products Forest products Fur-farming Cash income from farm products Supplementary payments1 Total cash income 1952 1953 $2,157,000 520,000 343,000 83,000 217,000 194,000 $1,667,000 375,000 635,000 63,000 126,000 122,000 $3,514,000 $2,988,000 $1,346,000 4,996,000 54,000 $1,213,000 5,001,000 34,000 $6,396,000 $6,248,000 $7,374,000 261,000 3,245,000 6,296,000 $6,548,000 436,000 2,026,000 7,534,000 $17,176,000 $16,544,000 $18,879,000 $20,195,000 $9,448,000 $10,441,000 $7,084,000 114,000 156,000 $7,394,000 109,000 128,000 $7,354,000 $7,631,000 $4,394,000 $4,484,000 $986,000 $988,000 $1,041,000 $688,000 $69,188,000 36,000 $70,207,000 40,000 $69,224,000 $70,247,000 1 Payments made under the provisions of the " Prairie Farm Assistance Act." REPORT OF MARKETS BRANCH M. M. Gilchrist, B.S.A., Markets Commissioner 1954 $1,880,000 387,000 847,000 59,000 175,000 89,000 $3,4l7S" "$975S~ 4,221,000 21,000 $5,2~17Sxr "$7373B" 327,000 1,819,000 9,529,000 $19,048,000 $21,726,000 $8,403,000 $7,515S~ 148,000 151,000 $7,814,000 $4,595,000 $973,000 $1,083,000 $72,296, $72,296,000 GENERAL Market conditions for much of British Columbia's 1954 agricultural production were influenced to a marked degree by adverse weather conditions. Unseasonably cool, damp conditions throughout virtually the entire growing season materially reduced production in several lines. As a result, while quality suffered somewhat in such items as tree and small fruits, fodders, and some vegetables, the reduced supplies reversed an earlier trend toward softening of price structures. In other lines, notably dairying and poultry, production increases resulted in price declines, which more than offset higher gross receipts. Reflecting the over-all decline of farm prices during the year, the farm price index, which averaged 247.4 in 1953, dropped about 15 points to the lowest level since 1947. In the same period the general wholesale index declined only 5 points. In sharp contrast the farm living costs and consumer price indexes registered slight increases. These indicators serve to point up the growing anomaly of agriculture's economic position relative to the economy of the Province as a whole. While agriculture has DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Z 21 suffered declines, other industries have thus far shown little, if any, weakening. Of increasing concern to agriculturists has been the continued upward swing of service and handling costs, creating a steady broadening of the gap between producer and retail prices. FEED-GRAIN MOVEMENTS With poultry and dairy-cattle populations both registering increases of 6 per cent over 1953, movement of feed-grains into the Province under provisions of the Federal Freight Assistance Policy showed a gain in volume of 9 per cent. An average of 21,000 tons per month was shipped into British Columbia from east of the Rockies. In the first ten months of this year a total of close to $1,500,000 was paid out by the Federal Treasury in freight assistance on shipments totalling over 216,000 tons of feed-grains. |JI This brings to approximately $21,000,000 the total paid out since the Freight Assistance Policy was inaugurated in 1941. FEEDS Despite a huge carry-over of grain stocks in Canada, basic live-stock feeds showed little change in price from 1953 levels during the early months of the year. While the unsold surplus continued to build up, much of the supply was of milling rather than feed grades. As a result, late summer saw a firmer tone develop in coarse grains and mashes as a strong export demand materialized. Among exceptions to this trend were feed-wheat and linseed oilcake-meal. The former eased moderately in midsummer, while oilcake, which had registered a $5 per ton gain in March, dropped by $10 in November. Feed-oats remained steady until autumn, when a price increase of 25 per cent was recorded. Barley followed a somewhat similar pattern, with a September price 25 per cent above early spring levels. Screenings and mashes rose fractionally during the year, but did not reflect the proportionate increases achieved in oats and barley. Hay production was about average in the southern sections of the Province, but quality was spotty. Unusually moist weather conditions hampered haying operations in the Cariboo and Chilcotin cattle districts, producing some shortages. This tended to firm prices in the Lower Mainland, pushing the farm price of mixed hay up by $10 to $12 per ton by late fall. Still sharper rises were forestalled by substantial imports of alfalfa and mixed hays from Washington State at moderate prices. Second-cut alfalfa increased 15 per cent in price by November, however. FRUIT To an extent greater than in any other segment of British Columbia's agriculture, this year's fruit-crop was affected by unseasonable weather. In tree-fruits, frost damage reduced the peach-crop by one-half and cherries by one-third. Apples were up in volume, but tended toward a heavier percentage of smaller sizes from the same cause. Pricewise, peaches, cherries, pears, and prunes showed increases over 1953 averages. Apples, apricots, and plums declined slightly. The 1954 apple deal started slowly, with sales on Eastern and Prairie markets well below 1953 levels. This was largely brought about by the flooding of Eastern Canada and United States markets with low-grade stocks resulting from hurricane damage in those areas, and by sharply reduced purchasing power on Prairie markets. Lending a welcome sales stimulus this year was the reopening of the United Kingdom market to Canadian apples. British Columbia will have supplied close to 600,000 boxes to that market when the season ends in 1955. First arrivals brought excellent prices at Glasgow and London auctions. BRITISH COLUMBIA Z 22 As in 1953 the small-fruits crop this year was marred by cool, moist weather The Coast strawberry-crop was hit hardest, production being off by about one-third Demand was good, however, and prices were firm throughout. The processing industry unable to secure sufficient volume for its needs, was forced this year to import stocks from the United States. FIELD CROPS AND VEGETABLES Potato prices this year were considerably better than the discouragingly low levels recorded in 1953. Early potatoes were doubled in price, while Netted Gems were up by one-third in November, as compared to the same month one year earlier. Both acreage and yields of marketable stocks were down this year, the latter having been affected to a considerable extent by late blight. Again imports from United States points cut into sales of the local product, but on balance the potato deal could still be called successful. Poor growing conditions severely hit the Interior tomato-crop. Production, quality, and price were well below averages of recent years, adding up to a disastrous season for growers. Canners also suffered from lack of supplies. |j Onions firmed somewhat after a disappointing season last year. Heavy United States production has had a depressing effect upon the price structure for the second successive year. Other vegetables showed little price change from one year ago. Lettuce and carrots were the chief exceptions, down about 25 per cent on an average. The canning-pea crop was disappointing this year, yields being down about 40 per cent. Prices, based upon tenderometer readings, were satisfactory, ranging from $35 to $101 per ton. I LIVE STOCK A firmer tone in beef prices was a main feature in live-stock marketing this year. Good steers at Vancouver averaged over $20 in August, a full $2 rise over early spring quotations and about 12 per cent above late 1953 averages. Shipments of cattle and calves from British Columbia points showed marked increases over 1953, the former up by over 15 per cent and calves up 40 per cent. Imports from Prairie points were down 2 and 13 per cent respectively. Car-lots at the Annual Fat Stock Show at Kamloops averaged $22.39, up 6 per cent from the preceding year's average. Hog prices maintained excellent levels throughout the year, averaging as high as $36.40 for Bl's in April at Vancouver, easing in the fall to about $25. As in 1953, lamb prices were comparatively steady throughout the year and showed little change in price. POULTRY AND EGGS Increased poultry populations resulted in lower prices for both meat and eggs. Producer prices for chicken declined 10 per cent, fowl about 40 per cent, and turkeys about 25 per cent from 1953 averages, live weight. Similarly, eggs dropped about 30 per cent as production increased by 25 per cent during the year. Adding to the difficulties faced by British Columbia poultrymen in 1954 was the steady increase in dressed and eviscerated poultry from the United States. FORAGE-CROP SEEDS nr,v.Saiply re,dfed yields featured the forage-crop seed picture this year. As a result, prices increased for all major items. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Z 23 Alfalfa seed rose substantially to about 25 cents per pound to the grower, as one of the poorest crops on record pointed to a supply shortage by next spring. The 1953 price was 15 cents. Other varieties showed similar price rises, with the exception of creeping red fescue, down to 15 cents from last year's 27 cents under weaker demand. Sugar-beet seed production in the Fraser Valley was down one-third, as close to 40 per cent of the crop was lost through shattering. The grower price was 14V6 cents. MARKETING BOARDS By Order in Council approved April 3rd, M. M. Gilchrist was appointed Chairman of the British Columbia Marketing Board, succeeding J. E. Lane. As of that date the Board membership now includes, in addition to the Chairman, E. MacGinnis, Secretary, and R. P. Murray. The services of J. E. Lane have been retained in an advisory capacity. Two additional Orders in Council were also approved during the year. Both affecting operations of the British Columbia Coast Vegetable Marketing Board, the first, effective August 24th, provided for a change in the outline of boundaries of the Board's area of jurisdiction. The second, approved October 30th, provided for continuity in office of elected Board officers. For the first time, the Coast Board assumed a new role as bargaining agent for the processing-pea growers of the Lower Mainland. This was done as a result of a petition submitted by a substantial majority of growers, calling upon the Board to handle all contracts between processor and grower. An order putting this into effect was issued April 12th. Included in the terms was a clause calling for payment for all peas delivered to processing plants on a tenderometer- reading basis. At the conclusion of the seasonal harvest, all parties appeared to approve the new system. During the year the British Columbia Interior Vegetable Marketing Board issued its revised general order. This contained several changes, including a reduction in the number of selling zones within the Board's defined area from fifteen to six. For the second consecutive year, the three commodity marketing boards operating under provisions of the "Natural Products Marketing (British Columbia) Act" met with the British Columbia Marketing Board, the Honourable Minister of Agriculture, and his deputy in a round-table discussion. The meeting, held in Victoria on November 4th, covered the boards' operations during the year. REPORT OF HORTICULTURAL BRANCH R. P. Murray, B.S.A., Provincial Horticulturist CLIMATIC CONDITIONS From a grower's standpoint the year 1954 will long be remembered as one of the worst on record. The winter was generally mild, with only one short period of below-zero temperature in the Okanagan, which did considerable damage to the fruit-buds of cherries, apricots, and peaches and wood-injury to apricots. Snowfall was about normal for the Okanagan, but heavier than usual in the Fraser Valley, so much so that there was some fear of flooding, which fortunately did not occur. BRITISH COLUMBIA Z 24 At the end of April a cold spell, when temperatures dropped in some cases as low as 18 degrees, with high winds, caused further damage to fruit-buds raspberries, and stowberry crowns. Frost damage at this time was general m some degree throughout thC PC°oVoTCshowery weather during the summer delayed all crops and provided almost ideal conditions for the development of such fungous diseases as apple-scab, mildew, brown-rot and coryneum blight. The weather also interfered with spraying to the extent that it was very difficult at times to get the sprays applied for proper controls. Weather conditions improved in late September and October, and the apple-crop was harvested without any difficulty. Hail damage was not as extensive as in 1953, and no losses were reported from wind The following table, prepared by D. A. Allan, District Horticulturist, Oliver, indicates the blossom dates at Oliver for the past four years:— Fruit Apricots Cherries Peaches. Pears — Prunes— Apples ... 1951 Apr. 15 Apr. 24 Apr. 25 May 1 Apr. 30 May 7 1952 Apr. 16 Apr. 21 Apr. 23 Apr. 25 Apr. 26 May 2 1953 Apr. 2 Apr. 22 Apr. 19 Apr. 23 Apr. 25 May 4 1954 Apr. 18 Apr. 25 Apr. 24 May 3 May 4 May 7 HORTICULTURAL CROPS Tree-fruits and Small Fruits Apricots.—Because of frost damage, the apricot-crop was considerably below 1953; however, the fruit, both from the standpoint of size and quality, was very good and was well received on all markets. The Stone Fruit Maturity Committee set up the previous year was largely responsible for the uniform maturity shipped from the various packing-houses. Cherries.—The cherry-crop was first injured by frost and then further reduced by splitting, and only made about 75 per cent of the 1953 crop. However, the quality was exceptionally good, and sold readily at good prices. Peaches.—The peach-crop was the hardest hit of any of the tree-fruits and was only about 50 per cent of last year's crop. Much of the crop was harvested during cool, showery weather and was of indifferent quality. Toward the end of the season the peaches softened before colouring. Split-stone peaches were quite prevalent this season, and it is reported some lots ran as high as 35 per cent. 1 Prunes.—Prunes again were rather a disappointment. The crop prospects were good until just after picking became general. The earlier districts got their prunes away before any shrivel developed, and the fruit was well received. The main crop, however, shrivelled rather badly, did not mature properly—that is, the flesh had a tendency to soften without changing colour—and was low in sugar. In addition, losses were considerable from splitting caused by the showery weather. Since the hard winter of 1950 the prune-crop has not been satisfactory. This condition also applies in Washington State, and investigators have not been able to account for the many troubles the prune-crop is suffering from. The situation is so serious that many growers are pulling out their prune-trees and planting to some other tTt 1 irf condltion has so far been confined to the Interior producing areas both in British Columbia and Washington. Him ^r(fes'~1} was a most unfavourable season for grapes, that require a hot, dry ornate tor quality yields. The volume and quality were both down this season, and in me UKanagan, north of Kelowna, the crop was almost a total loss from fall frosts. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Z 25 ^Apples.—What promised to be a considerably larger crop than last year was seriously reduced by frost, especially Delicious. Fruit size was below average, as was colour, especially in Mcintosh and Delicious. Earlier in the season it looked like a good colour year, but it did not develop as anticipated. Newtowns are possibly the best quality this variety has shown in years. Apple-scab has been a serious problem. Weather conditions made its control very difficult and have been the cause of down-grading or culling for a good portion of the Mcintosh crop especially. Because of this, a larger quantity of apples than usual are going to the processing plants. Up to the present, domestic sales have been confined largely to Western Canada because of the increasing size of the Mcintosh crop in Ontario and Quebec, as well as early importations of this variety from New York and Michigan. Also, buyers are not storing at destination as in past years, preferring to buy stocks as needed from the Okanagan. .j| ' The opening of the United Kingdom market is very much appreciated by the industry. It is expected that between 600,000 and 700,000 boxes will be shipped from this Province; of this, around 100,000 boxes are expected to arrive before January 1st. The first shipments made good arrivals and very satisfactory returns. Pears.—Frost damage to the pear-crop was comparatively light, although sufficient to cause only partial pollenizing in a large percentage of Bartlett blossoms, and consequently this variety ran to smaller sizes than usual. The maturity in Bartletts was very uneven, not only by districts, but in individual orchards, making harvesting a more difficult task. However, the market has been active, and the crop cleaned up quite early in the season at good prices. The Anjou variety turned out well, being of good size and quality. British Columbia Tree Fruits is trying quite an extensive experiment with this variety this season in an effort to prolong the marketing season and still be able to market a high-quality product. The pears are first washed in a disinfectant (Stop Mold B), dried, then packed in the ordinary way in a pliofilm container which fits into the standard pear-box. The air is then exhausted with a vacuum-cleaner, the bag tied, and the box lidded and placed in cold storage. The C02 generated by the fruit delays respiration and prolongs the storage life of the fruit. Should this experiment be a success, it will be a boon to the pear-grower, especially of the Anjou variety, since the quantity of this variety is increasing to the point where marketing it successfully in a comparatively short season is becoming a problem. Strawberries.—Because of spring frosts, the strawberry-crop in all districts was below that of last year's. Quality in general was good, and the crop sold at satisfactory prices. For the first time in years it was necessary for some of the processors in British Columbia to import some 100 tons of Northwest from Washington to satisfy their commitments. This season, for the first time, the Salmon Arm and Shuswap Lake growers got together and pooled their strawberry-crop to the satisfaction and benefit of both groups. They also processed a small quantity of strawberries by way of experiment, and if successful it is intended to increase the size of the processed pack next season. This would relieve the pressure of having to ship only fresh fruit to distant markets, such as Winnipeg, during the height of the season when the markets closer to home have already been supplied. This year Salmon Arm berries were shipped to Winnipeg and made very good arrivals. Raspberries.—Yields of this crop were fair to good but below that of last year. Prices varied widely according to variety. Newburgh averaged 9 cents, Willamette 12 cents, and Washington, for canning, 16 cents. | -mm % Loganberries.—Cold weather reduced the crop in the Fraser Valley area, while on Vancouver Island frost did some damage to lateral growth in low-lying areas. "Dry berry " caused less injury than in the last two years. This year eleven cars were shipped to the Prairies from the Island, two more than last year. They were well received, and Z 26 BRITISH COLUMBIA the growers are looking forward to an increased movement to the fresh-fruit market Prices are about the same as last year-12 cents per pound. A new leaf-hopper (Macropsis fuscula) has made its appearance m the Lulu Island area and is doing considerable damage in some plantings. Control measures are being ^Blueberries.—Most of the plantings of this crop are located on the peat-lands of Pitt Meadows and Lulu Island, and the crop this year is expected to exceed the million- pound mark, with a return to the growers of well over $200,000. Had the weather been better in the spring and at harvest-time, the crop would have exceeded this amount by 15 to 20 per cent. While insects caused no serious trouble this year, two diseases-die- back and canker—show an increase over last year. I Cranberries.—Interest in this crop is increasing, and the prospects are that the acreage will treble in the next few years. This year the crop was light due to late spring frosts and the fireworm. This pest, unless controlled, is capable of completely wiping out the crop. This season one infested planting was sprayed by aeroplane with Malathion, with such good results that an excellent crop of top-quality fruit was harvested. A table comparing the 1954 fruit-crop estimates with the out-turn of the 1953 crop will be found in the report of the Statistics Branch. Vegetables With the exception of cole-crops, the season was generally unfavourable for vegetable-crops and, as will be seen from a table comparing estimated yields and values of vegetables produced in 1954 with those for 1953 which appears in the report of the Statistics Branch, the tonnage for the Province is down from 1953, especially for tomatoes and cantaloupes. Apart from the unfavourable season for tomatoes, the canners were not very interested in processing the usual tonnage due to stocks on hand, and growers without contracts did not plant the usual acreage. Cantaloupes from the Osoyoos district, practically the only area in commercial production, fell from around 200 acres last year to just slightly over 20 acres this year. Cannery corn developed very slowly, and it was only due to the long, open fall that any crop was harvested at all. The crop was below estimates and the quality poor. Beans in the Fraser Valley suffered badly from botrytis and rust. In the Okanagan, particularly in the Kelowna area, golden mosaic appeared for the first time and destroyed at least 50 per cent of the pole-bean crop. It was also present in the Vernon area, but did not cause serious injury. This disease is carried by aphids, which were very prevalent this year, and because the growers lacked proper equipment, it was impossible to control the aphids and the spread of the disease. If Potato yields are down from last year due to heavy infestations of aphids in the Okanagan-Main Line area and to late blight in all districts; showery weather just prior to digging was favourable for the development of the disease, and where spraying had been neglected, losses from late blight were quite heavy. | Seed Production As with other farm crops, the seed-grower fared rather badly this season, and the only crops that did not feel the full effects of the weather were Swede turnips, fall wheat, peas, and grasses. Losses in production, as reported by J. L. Webster, Horticulturist, Vancouver, in charge of seed work, are quite high, running to an estimated loss of 30,000 pounds of onions due to mildew, 50,000 pounds of beans from bacterial blight, and 100,000 pounds or sugar-beet from sprouting and shattering in the field. Flower seeds, such as sweet peas annuals, and perennials, suffered badly from botrytis rots, and about 15 acres of portuiaca and petunia were ploughed under because of poor growth during June and July. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Z 27 Although this has been the worst growing season for the seed-grower since 1948, the situation, in so far as markets are concerned, is showing signs of improvement, especially since the United Kingdom market is now available, and it is expected this year garden-pea seed to the value of $300,000 will be sold on this market, as well as substantial quantities of onion, carrot, and possibly lettuce seed contracted for the 1955 season. With demand for turnip seed chiefly from Eastern Canada, a limited market only is available, and present production is sufficient for this need (50,000 to 60,000 pounds). Since the production of sugar-beet seed in Canada is confined pretty well to the Fraser Valley, growers are assured of a market of about 500,000 pounds annually to supply domestic needs. This year's price is 14 cents per pound, but possibly a larger market to Eastern Canada and the United States could be obtained if prices were dropped slightly to meet European competition. P With a general world shortage of flower seed, there has been a keen demand for British Columbia seed. Unfortunately, with the limited crop the producers have not been able to take advantage of the situation. Because of a shorter crop the total value of flower seed produced in this Province will be somewhat below that of last year (1953, $42,600). § The following table has been arranged to show the trend in production. (Note.— Final compilation of 1954 yields and total value are not completed until February.) Vegetable-seed Production (Estimates) for 1954 as Compared to 1952 and 1953 Yields Kind Asparagus B eans, broad Beans, pole and dwarf. Beets Cabbage Carrots Cauliflower Corn, sweet Cucumbers.. Leeks Lettuce Muskmelons Onions Onion sets and multipliers. Parsnips Peas Peppers Pumpkins .... Radishes Spinach.... Squash Tomatoes Turnips, Swede Vegetable marrows Watermelons Dffls Parsley Totals 1952 1953 Lb. 250 11,000 92,250 14,480 30 6,280 200 20,000 1,430 380 8,080 50 5,040 2,000 2,570 ',538,246 93 210 10,098 248 770 51,900 610 53 11 Lb. 160 9,000 103,800 3,300 550 12,800 400 15,300 600 250 15,460 20 20,200 38,000 725 3,159,877 100 150 8,400 77 64 470 56,933 750 37" 30 1954 (Estimated) Lb. 200 11,000 74,900 30 100 12,785 200 22,500 1,350 400 300 50 14,000 46,000 3,200 3,068,870 10 200 12,680 650 200 520 64,800 400 "82 2,766,279 3,447,453 3,335,517 Hops The production of hops continues to fluctuate due to unsettled marketing conditions. Hop plantings in the Fraser Valley at present total roughly 1,000 acres and Kamloops 300 acres, while the trial planting of some 20 acres at Creston has been abandoned. Mildew was a serious factor this year, and a large part of the total crop was not harvested. Prices have been depressed to around 60 cents per pound, due largely to heavy surpluses in the United States. This year's crop will average between 8 and 9 bales per acre. Z 28 BRITISH COLUMBIA Bulbs The bulb business is showing a steady growth, and growers are now realizing mrt and more the necessity of better planting stocks. This is showing up in better yields of both bulbs and flowers. The flower side of bulb-growing is becoming quite an industry Psneciallv on Vancouver Island, where it is possible to cater to the Easter trade with C r J j_.cr~^:i„ or>rf TMntJiPr's DflV With tulins. outdoor-grown daffodils and Mother's Day with tulips. This season some 203,000 dozen outdoor-grown daffodil blooms were shipped air express to Eastern Canada, as well as large shipments by rail to Interior British Columbia points. In addition, some 60,600 dozen outdoor-grown tulips were shipped to Eastern Canada by air express. The forcing industry during the winter months of iris (Wedgewood chiefly), tulips and daffodils is increasing, and some growers on the Island are now specializing in this phase of the industry. Because the bulb-growers are paying more attention to quality and well-graded bulbs, the demand both for forcing and the counter trade for British Columbia bulbs is improving. However, it will be necessary for the growers to increase the number of varieties grown, particularly in tulips, if they want a larger part of the business. In British Columbia, tulip varieties in any quantity are limited to about five varieties, whereas outside competition can supply sixty to seventy main varieties. It is generally felt that if the British Columbia growers would grow around twenty-five of the main varieties of tulips, it would go a long way in cutting out importations. Until the British Columbia producer can supply the home market with the kind, quantity, and quality of bulbs demanded by the trade, they are going to be faced with keen competition from foreign sources. Mushrooms This industry is centred mainly in the Greater Vancouver and New Westminster area, although there are a few growers scattered throughout other parts of the Province. The bulk of the crop is marketed in an orderly way through one agency, and fresh mushrooms are now available throughout the year. A processing plant takes care of any surplus that would be forced on the fresh market if this service were not available. Holly Increased interest is being shown in the production of holly. New plantings of named or selected types are now replacing the hit or miss methods of a few years ago. Production is on the increase, and this year it is expected some 40 tons will be marketed from the Island and Lower Mainland. With the use of hormone dips (napthalene-acetic acid) the holly is arriving in better condition than formerly, with good demand and good returns to the grower. This year the Island growers are experimenting with a small package deal of about 4 ounces that is meeting with favour on all the markets where it has been introduced. Filberts Filberts are the only nut-crop produced on a commercial scale in this Province. The industry is moving ahead, and the many small plantings grown more or less as a sideline that were producing ungraded, poor-quality nuts are giving way to the commercial producer. To meet the market demands for a properly processed and graded nut, equipment to harvest, wash, dry, bleach, and grade the crop has been installed. The product has improved to such an extent that the price this year was around 25 cents per pound, an increase of about 3V2 cents over last year. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 1954 Z 29 Tobacco A limited acreage of tobacco is being grown in the Sumas area of the Fraser Valley by a small group of growers familiar with the crop and with facilities to handle it. This year 95 acres were grown, producing an estimated 125,000 pounds. Although not a favourable year, the long, open fall enabled the growers to harvest a crop of good quality. The crop is shipped to Eastern Canada for processing. INSPECTION WORK Fire-blight Inspection The usual inspection for hold-over cankers of fire-blight was made during the dormant season. The following acreages were inspected:— <|f Fire-blight Inspection, 1954 District Total Acres Inspected Inspected and Passed Not Passed Creston Acres 89.70 4,700.00 6,015.00 500.00 173.00 1,520.00 17.00 695.00 Acres 88.97 4,650.00 6,015.00 500.00 173.00 1,520.00 17.00 695.00 Acres 0 73 Vernon 50 00 Kelowna Summerland Naramata Penticton Kaleden Oliver Totals 13,709.70 13,658.97 50.73 Nursery Inspection In order to comply with the "Plant Protection Act," 199 licences were issued to nurseries and nursery agents during the year at a price of $5 each, an increase of fifty licences over last year. The nursery industry is expanding steadily and is now supplying quite a percentage of stock, particularly ornamentals, to the other Provinces, in spite of very keen compe- tion from Europe. Again this season the work of inspecting tree-fruit plantings for trueness to name was carried out in all the nurseries. K. Lapins, of the Summerland Experimental Station, gave valuable service in instructing members of the staff in this work. The nurserymen appreciate this service, since it helps to eliminate the possibility of shipping varieties not true to name, with consequent trouble from the purchasers. It is expected these summer inspections will become routine procedure from now on. Not only were the nurseries checked during the summer for trueness to variety, they were also inspected again at digging-time this fall for crown-gall, hairy-root, and other defects. The following table is a compilation of trees grown and inspected by the staff during the year:— Nursery Inspection Report, 1954 Trees Number Inspected Number Passed Number Condemned Apples and crab-apples Pears Plums and prunes Cherries Peaches Apricots Miscellaneous Totals 69,922 32,848 5,588 14,988 20,403 9,906 437 59,860 32,234 5,434 13,936 19,105 9,238 429 10,062 614 154 1,052 1,298 668 8 154,092 140,236 13,856 BRITISH COLUMBIA Z 30 Thirty-nine inspections were made, and 8.99 per cent of the stock was condemned Apart from the regular inspections for fire-blight and nurseries, assistance was also riven to the Canada Department of Agriculture by inspecting for bacterial ring-rot o potatoes entering the Province at Abbotsford and also nursery stock entering at Osoyoos, DEMONSTRATION WORK I Pruning Demonstrations Pruning demonstrations were carried out during the winter and early spring months The following table indicates the district, number of demonstrations, and attendance: J Number of Number of Demonstrations Pupils Vancouver Island 13 563 Lower Mainland 14 518 Okanagan 12 317 Totals 39 |l,398 As will be noted, the Island and Fraser Valley Districts, although not what might be termed commercial areas, have asked for a much greater number of demonstrations than the Okanagan District. From observations during the past season, it would appear that very little has been accomplished from pruning demonstrations in the coastal areas, and it is proposed to curtail this work and put the time to some better use. Tomato Demonstration-plots This work was started in 1952 with a 3-acre plot set up in Kelowna. This has been extended to include plots at Vernon and Kamloops. The object of this work is to demonstrate to the growers in the area how to improve not only yields, but the grade as well. Due to weather conditions this season, none of the plots turned out as expected; however, yields were improved over the district average. The following is a brief summary by those responsible for this work:— Kamloops, Stockton Ranch.—As reported by R. M. Wilson, District Horticulturist: " The plants were grown by Chinese labour and set in the field May 26th. Plants were rather weak. In June, spray drift from Public Works roadside spraying injured plants close to the highway. About midsummer the owner applied 400 pounds of 8-10-5 fertilizer as a side dressing in an attempt to improve growth. The yield was 7.7 tons from the acre plot, as compared with 5.9 tons produced on the grower's adjacent field of 12 acres." Vernon, Ouiche Ranch.—As reported by W. T. Baverstock, District Horticulturist: " Due to one of the coldest and wettest seasons in many years, the first fruit trusses failed to set, making the crop two to three weeks late. During July a hail-storm did severe damage to the crop; the fruit was cut, allowing rots to enter later on; immediately after the first picking a killing frost on September 30th wiped out the balance of the crop. The yield was only 5,160 pounds, as compared with 21,070 pounds in 1953." Kelowna, Casorso Ranch.—As reported by W. F. Morton, District Horticulturist: " Late May and June were so cold that tomatoes grew very slowly. As the cool weather continued, the aphis population increased and the plants began to show symptoms of various virous and fungous diseases. The result was poor yield and poor quality. I Three hundred banded plants were used this year. From calculations based on the yield from these plants, the grower could have paid up to $60 per thousand for the plants and taken the early yield as a bonus. "Actual and calculated yields per acre of tomatoes from the demonstration-plot were as follows: (1) Actual yield, 11,740 pounds; (2) yield if all plants were unhanded, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Z 31 10,330 pounds; (3) yield if all plants were banded, 21,200 pounds; (4) yield on grower's field, three years in alfalfa, followed by onions and then tomatoes, 10,248 pounds. "In connection with the tomato-plot work, other vegetable-crops will be grown following tomatoes. At Kelowha this year, onions were seeded on one-half acre set out in 1952 following a fall-sown cover-crop of Austrian winter peas, disked down the following June, and reseeded to Hungarian millet. The other one-half acre was seeded to sweet clover. "Yields calculated on an acre basis were as follows: (1) Preceded by Austrian winter peas and Hungarian millet, 22.8 tons per acre; (2) preceded by sweet clover, 14.96 tons per acre—a difference of almost 50 per cent. A near-by field of onions grown by the same owner on land cropped to onions for two successive years following three years in alfalfa produced 15.53 tons." Onion Trials Fertilizer trials with onions were conducted by W. T. Baverstock, District Horticulturist, Vernon, comparing different fertilizers at various rates. The fertilizer was broadcast prior to seeding April 27th and cultivated in. Plots were one-twentieth of an acre. Plot Material Rate in Pounds per Acre Yield in Tons per Acre 1953 1954 No. 1. No. 2 No. 3 No. 4 No. 5 No. 6 No. 7 16-20-0 16-20-0 8-10-5 8-10-5 6-30-15 6-30-15 Check 500 1,000 500 1,000 500 1,000 17.3 19.2 20.6 21.0 21.3 21.7 17.3 14.3 13.4 16.3 14.1 12.4 10.7 13.6 Conclusions.—Due to seasonal conditions, yields of onions were below average. Higher applications of fertilizer appear not to be justified. Asparagus Fertilizer Trials This crop is increasing in the northern portion of the Okanagan and fertilizer trials are being carried out by I. C. Carne, District Horticulturist, Salmon Arm, and W. T. Baverstock, District Horticulturist, Vernon. The plots at Salmon Arm have just been set up on a new planting, and no results can be expected for some time. However, it was observed this summer that the check-rows were definitely stunted. , m § In the Vernon trials two sets of plots have been set up—one dry-farmed and the other under sprinklers. The following results are very interesting. Both plots were treated the same; that is, the fertilizer was made in two applications—the first in early spring and the second immediately after the cutting season was over. # Observation.—First picking was made on May 9th and the last picking on June 17th, a total of thirty-nine days' picking. Dry-farmed (Size of Plots, One-twentieth of an Acre) Plot Material Rate in Pounds per Acre Yield in Pounds per Acre 1953 1954 No. 1 _. ___. 33-0-0 33-0-0 16-20-0 16-20-0 6-10-10 6-10-10 Check 500 1,000 500 1,000 700 1,200 4,095 3,660 3,615 3,475 3,600 3,240 3,615 4,770 No. 2 3,795 No. 3 3,880 No. 4„ 3,630 No. 5 4,095 No. 6 3,540 No. 7 3,795 Z 32 BRITISH COLUMBIA Conclusion.-Once again the higher applications are not justified, as | most the higher applications actually gave a lower yield. | Observation.—First picking was made on May 9th and continued to June 24th total of forty-six days' picking. Under Sprinklers (Size of Plots, One-twentieth of an Acre) , a Plot Material Rate in Pounds per Acre Yield in Pounds per Acre 1953 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 500 1,000 500 1,000 700 1,200 3,225 3,455 2,450 3,755 3,780 3,480 3,010 1954 4,570 4,370 4,200 4,525 4,080 4,425 3,375 Conclusion.—It is noted in this experiment that the higher application of fertilizer in some instances has acted slightly different with sprinklers than with no irrigation as at Armstrong. § The fertilizer trials with apples at Kelowna, started in 1928, are being continued, These are the oldest fertilizer trials in the Northwest. Up to the present no discernible difference can be noted in any of the plots. Yields and grades have remained constant, and apparently the only element needed to maintain tree vigour and yield is nitrogen, Other long-term fertilizer trials are being conducted with Italian prunes at Keremeos, Penticton, and Naramata, and with grapes at Westbank and Winfield. M. P. D. Trumpour, District Horticulturist, Penticton, in reporting results with fertilizers with prunes, observed: " Prunes with superior quality and size and with less shrivel appeared to be produced on trees in the Orr lot receiving a moderate amount of nitrogen (6 pounds of ammonium sulphate per tree) and sawdust. Soil samples taken on the Orr block on October 26th, 1954, revealed that soil moisture in the sawdust plot was very satisfactory while that in the remaining plots was below optimum." This condition has been consistent since the plots were established, and it may be that uneven moisture-supplies may have a bearing on the prune-shrivel condition that has caused such heavy losses in the past few years. Blossom-thinning Because of frost injury to apples and peaches, no trials were carried out on these fruits. However, trial plots with Italian prunes were set out at Penticton, Summerland, and Vernon using Elgetol 29, DN 289, and Elgetol 318. Results varied so much that no conclusions can be arrived at this year. f J§ A. W. Watt, District Horticulturist, Summerland, reports his results as follows:— | The plots were checked at picking-time (September 19th). Elgetol 318 at one- half pint per 100 gallons had the earliest prunes but a very light crop. Elgetol 20 at one- half pint per 100 gallons had a slightly greater yield but contained many small, poorly coloured prunes. Only the fruit from the spray-thinned trees was of sufficient quality to warrant picking; the balance of the crop on the unsprayed portion was allowed to drop." Results were negative in the other two areas. Apple-scab An excellent piece of work was carried out jointly by members of the Summerland Entomology Laboratory and J. E. Swales, District Horticulturist, Creston. It is a new approach m insect and disease controls, and this piece of work is easily in the pioneer DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Z 33 field in so far as the Pacific Northwest is concerned. The staff of the Entomology Laboratory were interested in trying to find if, by the addition of a surfactant material, the quantity of spray material per acre could be reduced without losing control; if so, spraying costs could be reduced. They were also interested in the behaviour of a mixture of surfactants and regular spray materials in modern concentrate spray machines. The Horticultural Branch was interested in obtaining better scab-control. M Two orchards at Sunshine Bay, near Nelson, were chosen, as this area has had a serious scab problem since it was planted to trees. As the outline of the experiment is too lengthy to report in full, only the conclusions arrived at by Mr. Swales, who very ably carried out the disease-control section of the experiment and also assisted in making the final counts at harvest-time, are given, as follows:— | From the results of these experiments it is evident that where a surfactant was added to the fungicidal spray there was a decided improvement in the degree of apple-scab control obtained. Where lime-sulphur without surfactant was applied in the first three cover-sprays and Ferbam-wettable sulphur without surfactant was applied in later sprays, there was an average of 11.7 per cent scabby fruit. Where the same materials plus Triton B-1956 were applied, there was only 4.1 per cent scabby fruit. Where the same materials plus Miller's MJ 1 were applied, scab-control was equally as good, with 4.3 per cent scabby fruit. Fruit from the unsprayed checks was 100 per cent scabby. I In view of the slight injury caused by the Ferbam-wettable sulphur-surfactant sprays, further work will be required with varying concentrations and varying rates of applications before a general recommendation could be made regarding the addition of surfactants to regular scab-control sprays. However, because of the encouraging results obtained, it would be desirable to have some apple-growers, with suitable concentrate sprayers, use surfactants in their fungicidal sprays on a trial basis." This work is a valuable contribution in apple-scab control and introduces the use of surfactants to the Canadian field at least, if not the United States. It is planned to continue this work next season. At Salmon Arm, in addition to the protective sprays for apple-scab, eradicants were tried, with the object of using one or more of the eradicant materials and reducing the number of protective sprays. The conclusions reported by I. C. Carne, District Horticulturist, are as follows:— I The eradicant plot was equally as good as the protective plot and received one less spray. The possibilities of using Phygon X-L in the spray programme are worthy of further study." Antibiotics in Fire-blight Control in Bartlett Pears Trials with Agrimycin and Agri-strep containing Streptomycin sulphate (0.623 gram Streptomycin base), plus Triton B-1956 to act as a spreader and penetrant, and Bordeaux 1-1-100, were conducted at Oliver by D. A. Allan and at Kelowna by W. F. Morton. The antibiotic sprays were applied at balloon and full bloom stage at a concentration of 100 and 50 p.p.m. The sprays applied at the higher concentration gave good controls, whereas at 40-50 p.p.m. or Bordeaux at 1-1-100 did not appear to be effective. Weed-control Asparagus.—Trials were made at Vernon for the second year. The plots were 400 square feet in size, and for sampling a plot of 9 square feet was counted, and the counts made forty-one days after the materials were applied. Of all the materials used, Alanap gave the best control. 2, 4-D (Amine salt), Karmex CMU, and Crag herbicide also gave good control. Premerge gave good control for three weeks. Strawberry weed-control trials were carried out at Creston, Mount Lehman, Clay- burn, Lulu Island, and Como Lake, with varying results. 3 Z 34 BRITISH COLUMBIA G. R. Thorpe, District Horticulturist at New Westminster, reports his results " 1. Of both I.P.C. formulations used, each gave approximately 80 per cent control and 85 per cent chickweed-control. § 12. D.N. Amine gave approximately 90 per cent chickweed-control and 50 gK per cent grass-control. I 3. The combinations of D.N. and I.P.C. indicated no improvement on the single applications. . I 4. Slight folial damage to the strawberry was noted in the D.N. plots, but these recovered rapidly." W. D. Christie, District Horticulturist, Abbotsford, using I.P.C. emulsion, I.Pc dust, and dinitro-amine (Premerge), reports as follows:— '"I.P.C. emulsion, when used at low temperatures, has a tendency to separate out with nozzle clogging. In some places there was definite damage to the plants, with no appreciable weed-control. With I.P.C. dust, whether because of the formulation or some other cause, it had a tendency to hang in the duster, resulting in an uneven application, Some damage to strawberry plants was observed where the dust had gone on too heavily! It would appear the variety Northwest will only tolerate low dosages of I.P.C. Where dinitro-amine (Premerge) was used, the control of chickweed, groundsel, and other small broad-leaved plants was excellent; small germinating grasses were also killed, but the material had no effect on the larger grass plants." Herbicide trials with strawberries in the Creston district were carried out during the past summer. These trials were conducted by J. E. Swales, District Horticulturist, on the reclaimed lands at Creston. Sprays were applied July 26th at the rate of 60 gallons per acre, and observations were made on August 17th. Materials applied and rates of application were as follows:— Plot No. 1: Potassium cyanate, 20 pounds per acre. Plot No. 2: Potassium cyanate, 10 pounds per acre. Plot No. 3: Aero cyanate, 10 pounds per acre. Plot No. 4: Aero cyanate, 5 pounds per acre. Plot No. 5: Aero cyanamid, 20 pounds per acre. Plot No. 6: Aero cyanamid, 10 pounds per acre. Plot No. 7: Crag herbicide, 10 pounds per acre. Plot No. 8: Check (no herbicide). Observations.—Plots 1 and 2: Practically all weeds dead. Old leaves of strawberries killed but new growth developing rapidly. Some injury to strawberry crowns in Plot l. jm Plots 3, 4, and 5: Some weed recovery, particularly well-established Canada and annual sow thistle. Old leaves of strawberries killed but new growth developing well. Plot 6: Similar to Plots 3, 4, and 5, but most established weeds, with the exception of wild buckwheat, recovering. Plot 7: Similar to Plot 8; weeds too well established before Crag herbicide applied. Plot 8: Weeds dense. Weeds in the plots consisted of annual sow-thistle, Canada thistle, pigweed, groundsel, goat's-beard, blue lettuce, dandelion, wild buckwheat, oats, and wheat. Soil Management in Greenhouses The following is a report as submitted by A. E. Littler, District Horticulturist for Vancouver Island:— I The various Oriental greenhouses in the Victoria area have not produced satisfactory crops during the past few years. A soil analysis indicated the cause to be largely due to toxic conditions brought about by applications of excessive amounts of fertilizer DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 z 35 coupled with a low pH. A soil analysis prior to treatment indicated a high concentration of salts and a pH of 4.4. " The work was carried out in a greenhouse, 150 by 30 feet, owned by Young Brothers, Shelbourne Street, Victoria. |Procedure.—(a) One-quarter of the house was leached for eighteen hours, applying approximately one-half inch of water per hour through sprinklers. "(b) One-quarter of the house was leached in the same way for thirty hours. "(c) One-eighth of the house was sown to rye and vetch the first week of October. "(d) One-eighth of the house was mulched with 3 inches of sawdust during the first week of October. "(e) One-quarter of the house was handled in the usual way by the owners and served as a check. I The leachate was carried away by a ditch, 12 by 18 inches, down the centre of the house and connected with an outside drainage ditch. I I The whole house was rototilled the third week of January, and soil samples from leached plots were taken and checked. The pH on the 18-hour plot was 6.0 and on the 30-hour plot 6.2. § | Results.—Since it was impossible to be on hand at all times when the crop was being picked, definite weight records were not taken. Jf. "Observations made during the season provided the following: Plots A, D, and B, good; Plots C and E, poor. I From the results it would appear there was considerable benefit from either adding sawdust or leaching, provided the leaching process was not prolonged to the extent that it removed too much of the plant-food already in the soil which had to be replaced for the new crop." # The results from these trials were so outstanding the greenhouse-tomato growers in the Victoria district are now asking for advice and supervision on soil management. Tomato Variety Trials (Greenhouse) Trials were conducted by A. E. Littler, District Horticulturist, Victoria, in several greenhouses in the Victoria area. The standard varieties for the spring crop are V-121 and V-121 Improved or Bay State. This season, in the search for something better, two English introductions, Single Cross and Potentate, were tried. Single Cross showed considerable resistance to mould, but fruit size was small. While Potentate was larger, it was inclined to be rough and subject to mould. Both varieties from these trials were considered inferior to the standard varieties and will be dropped from further tests. Since many varieties suitable for spring cropping are not suitable for the fall crop, ten varieties were tested against the standard varieties now used, namely, V-121 Improved and Vulcan. Eight of these introductions were not any better than the standard varieties being grown, the fruit being either too small or rough or the plants subject to disease. Of the ten varieties tested, only two varieties, V-545 and V-548, were found to stand up to disease conditions which knocked out other varieties, including the standard varieties, and are worthy of another year's trial with an attempt to get better size than was obtained this year. M, f| Tomato Trials (Outdoor) This is a continuation of variety trials undertaken with the Westminster Canners Limited, the Range Experiment Station, Kamloops, and R. M. Wilson, District Horticulturist, Kamloops. Since it has been felt for some time that present commercial outdoor varieties of tomatoes are not entirely satisfactory for the Interior Dry Belt, trials have been conducted to evaluate some of the newer introductions as to their suitability. Z 36 BRITISH COLUMBIA In this test, ten varieties were planted in ten plots replicated four times, or a total of 400 plants spaced 3*4 by 41/2 feet. The foUowmg table shows the ratings and yield flu season Two of the varieties, 5336 and Early Lethbridge were very early, and the J of the crop was picked before the first killing frost, but the fruit failed to measure up | regard to size, colour, and pulp. Ratings on Plant and Fruit Characteristics Ratings made on September 22nd, 1954 (maximum points, 10). Variety- Defoliation Due to Early Blight Size of Fruit Shape Colour Pulp Observations (Quality) Size of Vine Green Base or Uniform Ripening 5536 Bounty Wasach Beauty Foremost E21 Early Lethbridge 5343 Early Prolific Hybrid 5365 Early Del. Hybrid.— Clarks S.E 5 4— Good Fair 8 4 G.B. 8 7 Fair Good 8 7 U.R. 7 9 Good Good 9 8 G.B. 10 8 Good1 Good- 7 10 G.B. 5 5- Fair Fair 5 4 U.R. 9 8 Good Good- 8 8 G.B. 9 8— Good Fair— 7 9 G.B. 9 9 Good Good- 8 9 G.B. 9 7- Good Good— 7 9 G.B. 8 7- Good Good 7 8 G.B. Yields Lb. 614 318 484 88 639 274 197 351 396 334 1 Some irregular. New Grape Varieties In 1953 five varieties of new introductions were obtained from the Geneva Experiment Station in New York State. These varieties had been under test on the station grounds for twenty years before they were released for test in 1952. An attempt at that time to obtain these varieties was made, but the available stock was sold out and it was necessary to wait another year. The varieties are Aldin, Romulus, Naples, Bath, and Himrod. These were distributed throughout the Okanagan to test for hardiness and soil preferences as well as yield and quality. This season a vine of one variety, Himrod, produced a few grapes on the ranch of J. W. Hughes, of Kelowna, a grape-grower of many years' experience, and he was so impressed with the performance of this variety, he is endeavouring to obtain 150 vines to start a commercial planting. This is the only variety reported on this season, but next year some record should be possible of quality and time of ripening of some of the other varieties. Bird-control in Flower-seed Crops For several years a flower-seed grower in the Saanich Peninsula has suffered considerable losses from the feeding of the purple finch. Several methods had been tried in previous years without success, such as tanglefoot, scare-crows, flashers, string, acetylene bangers, etc. The flower-seed heads attacked were cosmos, marigold, zinnia, and cornflower. This year A. E. Littler, District Horticulturist, Victoria, tried a type of fire-cracker, fired by means of a slow-burning, light-weight rope. He reports the following results:— " The fuse rope was calculated to burn at approximately 6 inches per hour; therefore, the lengths were cut so they could be set out the night before, burn slowly during the night, and have the fire-crackers detonate from daybreak onward at intervals of approximately ten minutes for about an hour. The first flower seeds to ripen and be attacked were cosmos. On August 10th three firing-stations were set up 100 feet apart, the fuse being suspended from a stake. A count of the damaged seed-heads was made on that date, and the damaged seed-heads removed. The same procedure for detonating the m DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Z 37 crackers was followed each night, and checks made on the seed-heads every three days However, after the test had been carried out for a week, it was noted that sometimes the fuse rope would go out during the night if there was a heavy dew, and it was also felt this system of burning the fuse rope all night was too extravagant and would deplete the supply before the end of the season, g Therefore, the system was changed so that the fire-crackers were inserted in a short piece of rope only and these were lit at daybreak. At the start of the experiment the birds were present in large numbers, but after one or two days of disturbance by the detonators they disappeared entirely from the seed-farm. Inquiry around the district revealed the finches were in large numbers in a thistle-field at Brentwood about a mile away from the seed-farm." The results of this trial have been so successful it is hoped to repeat the work in 1955. SURVEYS The biennial small-fruit survey, which also includes rhubarb, filberts, asparagus, etc., was completed this season and is now ready for publication.!The total acreages for the years 1952 and 1954 are shown below:— Small-fruit Acreages,, 1952 and 1954 District 1952 1954 Fraser Valley _. 4,404.19 4,750.49 Vancouver Island 562.63 600.65 Okanagan 324.92 215.27 Kootenay 225.19 244.30 Totals 5,516.93 5,810.71 Rhubarb, Asparagus, Nut, Grape, and Holly Acreages, 1952 and 1954 District Rhubarb Asparagus Nut Grape Holly 1952 1954 1952 1954 1952 1954 1952 1954 1952 1954 Fraser Valley 83.01 8.12 7.15 1.26 96.75 3.82 5.55 .90 24.63 5.03 440.29 54.66 19.00 2.47 306.17 17.15 501.27 27.09 449.77 19.58 51.51 13.93 409.83 46.49 4.20 561.48 .75 29.85 40.03 63.00 Vancouver Island 47.64 Okanagan Kootenay Totals 99.54 107.02 524.61 344.79 528.36 469.35 475.27 612.92 69.88 110.64 A start on the quinquennial tree-fruit survey was made this fall, and the field work is well in hand at this time. For this survey a new form was designed that will not only assist in speeding up the field work, but will also provide a good deal more information than was possible with the form used previously. HORTICULTURAL CIRCULARS During the year the following horticultural circulars have been revised and brought up to date:— (1) Horticultural Circular No. 65, Field Tomatoes in British Columbia. M. P. D. Trumpour. (2) Horticultural Circular No. 43, The Home Vegetable Garden (formerly Gardening on a City Lot). A. E. Littler. (3) Horticultural Circular No. 62, Planting an Orchard. I. C. Carne. (A combination of former publications, Planting Plans and Distances and Orchard Sites and Soils.) Z 38 BRITISH COLUMBIA (4) Horticultural Stencil No. 17, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, and Tumi* 1 1 „ mm ™ n rhristie. mP ilar No. 78, Grape-growing in British Co [lis is a new publication, the first issued by the P on grape-growing.) Culture. W.D.Christie. (5) Horticultural Circular No. 78, Grape-growing in British Columbia W. F. Morton. (This is a new publication, the first issued by the Provinc nti orane-PTOwing.) (6) Horticultural Circular No. 77, Vegetable Varieties, Description and Uses J. L. Webster. (A new publication.) Three other bulletins are under revision and should be ready for the lie Okanagan Agricultural Club. printer (a) Soil Management for Tree-fruits and Vegetable-crops in the Southern Interior of British Columbia, Horticultural Circular No. 76. ura] (b) Cantaloupe-growing in the British Columbia Dry Belt, Horticult Circular No. 69. D. A. Allan. (c) Exhibition Standards, Horticultural Circular No. 50. FALL FAIRS This season saw a decided increase in the number of fall fairs. In some instances they were held for purposes other than displaying the farm produce for the district, and these served no useful purpose to the community. A number of the small fairs could be dropped in so far as horticultural displays are concerned. NEWS LETTER, BROADCASTS, CROP REPORTS, AND MEETINGS The Horticultural News Letter is issued bi-monthly from May through September. All the horticultural offices co-operate in reporting seasonal conditions and fruit- and vegetable-crop estimates. The News Letter is compiled in the Kelowna office under the direction of the Supervising Horticulturist. Through the co-operation of B.C. Tree Fruits and the B.C. Fruit Growers' Association, excellent radio coverage is given the fruit-growers on such problems as spraying, irrigation, etc., during the season. Broadcasts are made over the three Okanagan stations and the regular farm broadcast each Thursday over the C.B.C. This service proved of real value this season when apple-scab control was such a problem. Fruit- and vegetable-crop estimates and final production figures were compiled and forwarded to the Statistics Branch. The annual series of growers' meetings in the Okanagan was held as usual. Seventeen centres were visited, with two meetings at each point. The total attendance was 1,857. All members of the staff are called on to attend and speak at growers' meetings throughout the year. Generally, these meetings are held in the evening, and though they do take up the official's free time, the service is willingly given. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Your Horticulturist wishes to acknowledge with appreciation the help and co-operation of the horticultural staff and the other members of the Department, as well as the members of the Canada Department of Agriculture and the University of British Columbia. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 4 Z 39 REPORT OF APIARY BRANCH J. Corner, Provincial Apiarist, Vernon Compared to beekeepers in other Provinces, British Columbia beekeepers have experienced a most successful season during 1954. Unusually wet weather conditions, however, affected honey production in certain areas, notably the Peace River District and Fraser Valley Lower Mainland regions. The Peace River District, which now contains one-quarter of the total colonies in the Province, produced only 50 per cent of its normal crop average. From 1,507 active beekeepers during 1953, the total during 1954 of 1,762 active beekeepers indicates a gain of 255 beekeepers. The number of colonies also increased from the 1953 figure of 11,568 to a total of 12,700 during 1954 and indicates a total increase of 1,132 colonies. f m The total honey-crop for the 1954 season was 1,143,000 pounds. If production in the Peace River area had been average, the total crop would have been above average. Local conditions of weather and nectar secretion were very marked this season and resulted in above-average crops in some areas and well below average in others. Swarming was very much a problem during the 1954 season, and many beekeepers who have for the past number of years been operating without queen excluders found that it was impossible to employ any of the Demaree methods of swarm-control. Supersedure and failing of queens was also very much in evidence during the season. Unfavourable weather conditions hindered proper mating of queens and resulted in many drone layers amongst queens reared from established colonies. Poor weather conditions during late fall also prevented colonies in some areas from gathering normal stores of pollen for winter and early-spring requirements. If weather conditions are backward during early spring, it will be interesting to observe the results of a possible pollen shortage. A shortage of pollen in British Columbia has seldom, if ever, occurred. MARKETING The marketing of British Columbia honey presents no problem at all. The packing plant at New Westminster is anxious to obtain any local honey, and requests for carload lots have come in from other Provinces throughout Canada. Production is still only about 45 per cent of our Provincial consumption. The price from producer to consumer remains at 21 cents per pound. However, in large bulk quantities it is selling for as little as 16 cents per pound in 60- and 70-pound containers. Most beekeepers in British Columbia market their own honey locally, and prices range from 25 cents to 33 cents per pound in small containers. INSPECTION During the summer of 1954 an effort was made to inspect all apiaries in the Peace River District. H. Boone, of Oliver, spent four weeks on concentrated inspection in that area. Continuous fine weather during June and early July favoured inspection work, and, as the result of this inspection, outbreaks of American foul-brood and European foul-brood were eliminted. A concentrated inspection was made of the Penticton and Naramata districts by the entire inspection staff. Some American foul-brood was located in almost every apiary in these districts. In other parts of the Province where concentrated inspections and control methods have been employed, the disease situation is now well in hand. The locating and destruction of old equipment which is infected constitutes one of the best safequards against future outbreaks of disease. Routine inspection work was carried out in all other areas where apiaries are located. Z 40 BRITISH COLUMBIA Old Diseased Beekeeping Equipment Located and Destroyed by Burning District Burned Drawn Combs Value of Each Total Value Supers North Okanagan—----- Kamloops and district Salmon Arm Kootenays Penticton South Okanagan Similkameen Vancouver 1 Vancouver Island Fraser Valley Peace River Totals 290 2,500 50 200 850 372 258 2,220 6,740 $0.30 .30 .30 .30 .30 .30 .30 .30 $0.30 $87.00 750.00 15.00 60.00 255.00 111.60 77.40 666.00 $2,022.00 25 403 5 20 109 29 20 Scorched Bottoms 7 43 2 5 43 9 13 Tops 7 42 2 5 43 12 13 Value of Live Colonies Infected with American Foul-brood and Which Were Burned in Accordance with the "Apiaries Act" Total colonies burned 278 Average value per hive $20.00 * Total value $5,560.00 1 Depreciated value. SI DISEASE-CONTROL Thirty-seven samples of brood comb and smears were analysed at the office in Vernon. Of these, thirty-two showed positive infection. A method of controlling American foul-brood was employed at one commercial apiary of 150 colonies where all colonies were treated by spraying combs with a thin medicated syrup. This medicated syrup contains sulphadiazine at the rate of one IVi -grain tablet per gallon of liquid. The syrup is prayed on to the combs, employing a small 2-gallon knapsack sprayer. J| Type of Disease District A.F.B. E.F.B. Nosema Others North Okanagan 33 13 14 77 22 26 27 4 55 7 17 3003 7 1 20 Sac-brood1 Kamloops and district Salmon Arm and district Sac-brood2 Sac-brood1 Penticton South Okanagan Similkameen Kootenays Sac-brood2 Greater Vancouver Fraser Valley and Delta _ «——-— Vancouver Island Peace River. Totals 278 317 28 1 1 Mild Infestation. 2 Heavy Infestation. 3 Only a few of these colonies were found to be heavily infected. All the remaining colonies suffered a infestation. INSECTICIDE AND HERBICIDE POISONING Spray poisoning of honeybees is always evident during the time orchardists, seed- growers, and farmers are applying such spray materials. During one application ot 2,4-D to kill weeds in fields of flax and oats, a heavy mortality of field bees was noticed in two commercial apiaries located within flying distance. Rapid volatilizing of 2,W while honeybees were foraging mustard is believed to be responsible. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Z 41 POLLINATION Rental of Colonies by Growers for Pollination District Crop Number of Colonies Rental Charged per Colony Total Similkameen Grand Forks North Okanagan South Okanagan Kootenays Totals - Fruit Red clover Fruit Fruit Fruit 30 60 42 44 8 $6.00 2.50 5.00 5.50 3.00 $180.00 150.00 210.00 242.00 24.00 184 $4.40] $806.00 1 Average rent. Vancouver Island: 100 colonies employed in pollinating greenhouse cucumbers, no rental fee. / BULLETINS AND PUBLICATIONS A small circular on Beehive Construction was published and is now available to beekeepers. Material for another circular and dealing with the Wintering of Honeybees in British Columbia is at present ready for publication. Five issues of Bee Wise were published and distributed. Instruction sheets were prepared on the following subjects:— (1) Feeding Fumidil-B for Control of Nosema Disease. (2) Feeding and Spraying of Sulphadiazine for Control of American Foul- brood. (3) The Use of Carbolic Acid in Removing the Honey-crop. EXTENSION The need for instruction and guidance in all phases of practical beekeeping is very evident throughout the Province, particularly for those beekeepers who operate an apiary of fifty colonies or less. Short courses on the fundamentals of beekeeping and disease- control have materially assisted the inspection staff through proper education of the small operator on methods of early detection and eradication of brood diseases. Office correspondence over the year has consisted of 754 letters in and 1,091 letters out. MEETINGS The staff of the Apiary Branch attended thirty-five beekeepers' meetings throughout the year. A total of eight short courses were attended, at which members of our Branch delivered all the lectures and demonstrations. Field-days were attended in most of the beekeeping districts, where demonstrations on colony manipulation and management were given by members of this Branch. Honey was judged at nine fall fairs, where contact was also made with beekeeper farmers. Talks on beekeeping were given over the radio stations at Kelowna and Vancouver. There is no method of assessing the value of such broadcasts, but as frequent comment is made by beekeepers to the Apiary Branch referring to this method of instruction, it is assumed that they are of definite value. Telephone calls and visitors are too numerous to record, and such requests for information are willingly handled, even when contact is made at the residence of all members of this Branch. I ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Once again all members of the Apiary Branch have completed a busy inspection season, hampered by adverse weather conditions. Mr. Thorgeirson and Mr. Boone have both done excellent work. I wish to thank Tom Leach of C.B.C. Farm Broadcast and Norm Griffith of CKWX for publicity given our inspection problems and also all Supervising and District Agriculturists for their assistance and willing co-operation. Z 42 BRITISH COLUMBIA HONEY-CROP REPORT The following statement summarizes, the honey-crop situation for 1954:. District Beekeepers Colonies Crop Vancouver New Westminster :;"";""; Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands Fraser Valley (Upper and Lower) t^T"T W- fnterioi^Okanagan, Thompson Valley, and Kootenays). Peace River Totals 140 142 230 446 748 56 381 396 1,009 1,383 5,927 3,600 1,762 12,696 Lb. 9,525 11,880 45,405 48,405 711,240 316,800 1,143,255 Average 25 30 45 35 120 47 cents Value to producers of 1,143,255 pounds of honey at 21 cents (wholesale), $240,083.55; 11,996 pounds of beeswax nts per pound (wholesale), $5,638.12. at REPORT OF PLANT PATHOLOGY BRANCH W. R. Foster, M.Sc, and I. C. MacSwan, B.S.A. A number of plant diseases were favoured by the wetter-than-usual weather in most districts in the Province. The following diseases caused severe losses in some localities: Apple-scab in the Kootenays and Arrow Lakes and in the Northern Okanagan and Fraser Valley; little-cherry in the Kootenays and Arrow Lakes and Creston Valley, downy mildew of hops at Kamloops and in the Fraser Valley, downy mildew of onions used for seed at Grand Forks, late blight of potatoes in the Fraser Valley, club-root of crucifers in the Lower Fraser Valley, and green-bean mosaic at Kelowna. Moderate damage was caused by such diseases as coryneum blight of apricots in the Okanagan, black-knot of plums in the Fraser Valley, red-stele and powdery mildew of strawberries at the Coast, Godronia canker of blueberries in the Fraser Valley, fire-blight of pears in the Creston Valley, verticillium wilt of tomatoes in the Okanagan and at Kamloops and Lillooet, bacterial blight of beans at Grand Forks and in the Okanagan and Fraser Valley, and botrytis rot of sweet peas in the Fraser Valley. The Province continues to be virtually free of bacterial ring-rot of potatoes. This disease was detected in slight amounts in the crops of six growers. SCAB OF APPLES The wetter-than-usual weather favoured the development of apple-scab. Even at Kelowna, which is not one of the worst areas for scab, there were at least twenty-three showery periods of sufficient duration to induce scab infection between May 1st and September 1st. This frequent showery weather made it difficult for some of the growers to apply sprays at the proper time. There is considerable evidence to indicate that the recommended spray programme will give control of scab. The programme most generally followed, in most districts, was lime-sulphur up to the pink, wettable sulphur plus ferbam in the cover-sprays, and ferbam in the late summer sprays. For the first time a demonstration to determine what effect non-ionic surfactants suitable to DDT concentrate sprays may have on apple-scab was carried out by J.E. Swales, District Horticulturist, in co-operation with officials of the Canada Entomological Laboratory, Summerland. The sprays were applied with a Turbo-mist automatic concentrate sprayer in two orchards at Sunshine Bay. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Z 43 The Effect of Adding Surfactants to Fungicides on Percentage of Apple-scab in Two Orchards at Sunshine Bay Materials Applied 1. Check (no spray) 2. Lime-sulphur Ferbam and wettable sulphur 3. Lime-sulphur, plus Triton B1956 Ferbam and wettable sulphur, plus Triton B1956 4. Lime-sulphur, plus Miller's MJ1 Ferbam and wettable sulphur, plus Miller's MJL 5. Ferbam and wettable sulphur 6. Ferbam and wettable sulphur, plus Triton B1956 7. Colloidal sulphur, plus Triton B1956 Colloidal sulphur, plus Triton B1956 and Ziram.. Stage Pre-pink, pink, calyx Four cover-sprays Pre pink, pink, calyx Four cover-sprays Pre pink, pink, calyx Four cover-sprays All sprays 1 All sprays Pre-pink, pink, calyx Four cover-sprays Percentage of Scabby Fruit 100.0 11.7 4.1 4.3 13.5 7.7 12.5 i The adding of surfactants to the fungicides seems to have given better control of apple-scab. Further tests should be conducted with Ziram sprays with surfactants added, because the scab was held in check after a fairly heavy primary infection had occurred. In an attempt to find a better fungicide, the following materials were tried out on plots at Creston: Nirit (a fungicide from Europe), Phygon XL, Dithane Z-78 (Zineb), Manzate (Maneb), Karathane, and Dinitro-ortho-cresol 40 per cent. There was, however, not enough scab in the plots at Creston to determine the relative merits of these fungicides. Nirit caused about 10 per cent russeting on Mcintosh. In the Karathane plots, a heavy infection of pin-point scab developed. Phygon XL, Dithane Z-78, and Manzate will be tried again next year. ANTIBIOTICS FOR FIRE-BLIGHT CONTROL An attempt was made in the Oliver, Penticton, and Kelowna districts to discover the effect of antibiotics in the prevention of fire-blight of pears. It was only in the Kelowna district, however, that enough disease developed to determine the relative merits of the different treatments. Demonstrations were carried out in four different orchards by W. F. Morton, District Horticulturist. The sprays were all applied in the balloon and full-bloom stages, but only on pears of the Bartlett, Anjou, and Boussock varieties. The treatments applied were Agri-strep, Agrimycin, Bordeaux 1-1-100, and check (no treatment). It The antibiotic sprays, at 100 p.p.m., applied at both the balloon and full-bloom stages, appear to be effective in preventing fire-blight in the blossom stage. Concentrations of 40 or 50 p.p.m. did not appear to be effective. The antibiotics were very easy to handle and did not cause any apparent damage. DEFICIENCY DISORDERS IN TREE-FRUITS A change has been made in the treatment of the following deficiency disorders:— 1. For Corky-core and Drought-spot of Apples, and Die-back Which Are Due to Boron Deficiency.—To all trees apply one spray per season of 5 pounds of boron compound per acre, in a concentrate sprayer (1 pound per 100 gallons in dilute sprayers), as soon as the leaves are well developed, or broadcast 30 pounds of boric acid per acre on the soil every three years. On very light soils apply 10 pounds of boric acid per acre annually. 2. For Leaf-blotch of Apple Due to Magnesium Deficiency.—Apply at least four sprays of magnesium sulphate per acre while the trees are in full foliage. For preventive treatment apply one spray per season of 20 pounds of magnesium sulphate per acre, in concentrate sprayers (2Vi pounds per 100 gallons in dilute sprayers), as soon as the leaves are well developed. BRITISH COLUMBIA Z 44 3 For Interveinal Chlorosis Due to Manganese Deficiency.—Apply 8 pounds f manganese sulphate per acre, in concentrate sprayers (2 pounds per 100 gallons i Site sprayers), as soon as the leaves are well developed. 4 For Little-leaf and Rosette Due to Zinc Deficiency.—Apply zinc sulphate as a dormant spray before spraying with oil. Amount per Am*^ Concentrate Dilute'' Percentage of Zinc in Material SP^er Sprayer 36 I 25 12% 32 28 14 / 22 40 20 LITTLE-CHERRY Little-cherry, a virous disease, appears to cause more damage in the Kootenays and Arrow Lakes area than it does in the Creston Valley. It has nearly wiped out commercial cherry-growing in the Kootenays and Arrow Lakes area. Edgewood, Renata, and Kaslo were the only areas in the district to ship any appreciable quantity of cherries in 1954. In the Creston Valley a good crop was harvested from many of the infected trees. There were also a considerable number of trees with fruit of no commercial value. STRAWBERRIES Severe low-temperature injury occurred in the crowns and roots of strawberry plants in the Fraser Valley, Kootenays, and at Grand Forks. Red-stele root-rot, verticillium wilt, root-lesion nematodes, powdery mildew, and botrytis rot of fruit also caused damage at the Coast. W. D. Christie, District Horticulturist, reports promising preliminary results with Captan spray on botrytis fruit-rot, at the rate of 2Vi pounds per 100 gallons. Dithane Z-78 was not effective. STRAWBERRY-PLANT CERTIFICATION The inspections for certification were carried out with the co-operation of G. E. W. Clarke, Supervising Horticulturist, and W. D. Christie and G. Thorpe, District Horticulturists. The total number of applications for certification was forty-three—twenty-three passed and twenty were rejected. The number of strawberry plants certified was approximately 2,000,000, which was less than the number certified in 1953. The demand for certified plants was greater than the supply. |(|| BACTERIAL RING-ROT OF POTATOES British Columbia continues to be virtually free of bacterial ring-rot of potatoes. There was no rejection due to ring-rot of any potatoes entered for certification. Ring-rot was detected in slight amounts on two farms in the Fraser Valley in the 1953 crop. In the 1954 crop it was detected on two farms in the Frasey Valley—one at Bella Coola and one at Kamloops. This disease was also detected in ten carloads of imported potatoes. A new bacterial ring-rot directive was issued in September of this year. LATE BLIGHT OF POTATOES The estimated loss for late blight in the Fraser Valley is between 10 to 15 per cent, which is the highest since 1948. It also caused some damage on Vancouver Island, | tne Northern Okanagan and Kootenays, and at Terrace. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Z 45 Press releases were issued on July 7th, August 23rd, and September 17th warning growers of the danger, and also advising them on how to prevent late blight tuber-rot. In the Fraser Valley, where the weather for August was the wettest since 1918* many growers were unable to apply all the recommended sprays. CALIFORNIA SEED-POTATO TEST The value of the California seed-potato test was evident this year. One grower's certified seed-potatoes showed over 95 per cent leaf-roll. This one test prevented the use of this seed for planting, and, consequently, avoided an almost complete crop failure. The test also gave advance notice to some growers that their certified seed-potatoes would not pass field inspection for certification. More growers are realizing the advantage of having advance information on disease. It gives them the opportunity to obtain new seed if their own is not good enough. ACKNOWLEDGMENT We wish to than officials of the other branches of the Department of Agriculture, the Canada Department of Agriculture, and the University of British Columbia for their co-operation. REPORT OF PROVINCIAL ENTOMOLOGIST C. L. Neilson, M.S., Entomologist, Vernon The year 1954 did not produce any major insect outbreaks, but insect populations were sufficient that control measures were necessary on many crops, animals, and products throughout the Province. A few of the highlights in economic entomology in British Columbia during the year were:— (1) Increased usage of soil insecticides for soil pests, with good control resulting. p (2) More emphasis on work relating to a better understanding of relationships between control by parasites and control by chemicals. (3) Development of better controls for onion maggot and carrot rust fly. (4) Development of resistance to organic phosphates by some of the fruit- tree mites. (5) Revision of the two tree-fruit and vegetable calendars. FIELD-CROP AND VEGETABLE INSECTS In general, insects attacking field crops and vegetables were somewhat less than in 1953. Except for the Fort St. John area, grasshopper infestations showed an over-all decline, and most of the grasshopper-control zones operated on a reduced scale from 1953. The serious 1953 outbreak of black army cutworm was non-existent in 1954, and only isolated small infestations appeared. The Colorado potato beetle was present in numbers in the area between Cranbrook and Golden for the first time in several years. Red-backed cutworm was present but much reduced over most of the Interior and Kootenays. Onion thrip and onion maggot damage was normal, except for the market- garden area of Marine Drive in Vancouver, where onion maggot damage was much higher than previously recognized. On potatoes the incidence of tuber flea beetle was normal, but aphid populations were much higher and crop-losses resulted in parts of the Southern Okanagan. Aphids were responsible for as much as 30 per cent loss in bean tonnage due to their spreading bean mosaic in the Kelowna-Vernon districts. Crucifer pests of BRITISH COLUMBIA Z 46 flea beetles, worms, aphids, seed-pod weevil, and root maggots were normal, but there was an increased acreage of saleable turnips due to wider use of improved control measures Carrot rust fly damage was less in the Fraser Valley but normal in the North Okanaean Aphids were a minor problem on clover and oats in the Fraser Valley and on srain in the Okanagan and Central British Columbia. Wheat midge increased in I North Okanagan. Wireworm damage to garden crops occurred throughout the Province and to grains in the Peace River and Central British Columbia areas. ORCHARD INSECTS Orchard insects are generally well in hand. The following pests were of some concern in the degree noted:— (a) The same level as in 1953: Oystershell scale, cherry fruit fly, peach twig borer, peach tree borer, fruit tree leaf roller, mealy plum aphid, apple aphid, pear leafworm, buffalo treehopper, climbing cutworms, cicadas eye-spotted bud moth, grasshoppers, and lygus bugs. (b) Less than in 1953: Codling moth, pear leaf blister mite, green peach aphid, cherry fruitworm, San Jose scale, soft scale. (c)* More prevalent than in 1953: European earwig, pear psylla, rosy apple aphid, black cherry aphid, woolly apple aphid, European red mite, yellow spider mite and two-spotted mite (in late September), and clover mite. SMALL-FRUIT INSECTS The main pests on strawberries continue to be strawberry root weevils, white grabs, and spittlebugs. Control of weevils and grubs by baiting is being replaced by soil insecticides. On cane-fruits, fruitworm, root-borer, cane maggot, and mite populations were normal. A new leafhopper, Mascropsis fusculata, caused serious damage to loganberries on Lulu Island. A pest on cranberries on Lulu Island, believed to be the black-headed fireworm, was reported for the first time. FLOWERS AND SHRUBS The following pests were reported as causing economic damage: Narcissus bulb fly, cyclamen mite, orange tortrix, aphids, greenhouse white fly, holly scale, azalea leaf miner. Minor infestations of walnut scale, juniper scale, pine needle scale, yellow-headed sawfly, willow sawfly, spruce needle miner, lilac leaf miner, and tent-caterpillar occurred in scattered localities. ft LIVE-STOCK PESTS Warble-fly, ticks, black-fly, horn-fly, lice, and sheep-ked continue to be the major pests of live stock. Controls for these pests are applied annually by the growers. Black- fly populations in the Cherryville district were unusually high and continued to cause annoyance to stock until late in the fall. Considerable attention was devoted to mosquitoes in the Columbia Valley and Falkland areas. HOUSEHOLD PESTS Inquiries were received regarding the following pests associated in or around homes: Bedbugs, cockroaches, ticks, ladybird beetles, carpenter ants, termites, fleas, earwigs, carpet beetles, slugs, sowbugs, mosquitoes, bat bugs, granary weevil, spiders, golden buprestids, bean weevil. EXTENSION AND PUBLICATIONS During the year at least one visit was made to every district agricultural and district horticultural office in the Province. In some cases experimental work was initiated, but usually such visits were made in conjunction with current insect problems. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Z 47 Radio broadcasts and press releases were made. Talks on insects were given at Kelowna, Rock Creek, Brown's School (north of Grand Forks), Grand Forks, Kamloops (two), Vernon (three), Merritt, Penticton, Vancouver, Windermere, Wasa, Falkland, and Salmon Arm (two). The following publications were prepared and released: (1) Turnip Maggots. (2) Insects of the Season of British Columbia. (3) Tomato Insects and Controls. §§ (4) Pine Needle Scale. jjj Handbook of the Economic Insects of British Columbia—Part I. (6) Strawberry Root Weevils. ft (7) Tuber Flea Beetle. The following conferences were attended: Pacific Northwest Vegetable Insect Conference, Entomological Society of British Columbia, International Great Plains Conference of Entomologists (Kamloops), British Columbia Agronomy, British Columbia Nurserymen's Convention. In addition, assistance was given in setting up and staffing exhibits at the Vancouver and New Westminster Flower Shows and Kamloops Bull Sale. The excellent co-operation of all Provincial District Agriculturists and Horticulturists is hereby acknowledged, as is the co-operation of all laboratory personnel in British Columbia of the Canada Department of Agriculture, Division of Entomology. REPORT OF DAIRY BRANCH F. C. Wasson, M.S.A., Dairy Commissioner Good pastures were responsible largely for an increased milk flow. Poorly cured hay may reduce winter milk volume. The estimated total production of 770,000,000 pounds represents a 6-per-cent increase over 1953 figures. VALUE OF DAIRY PRODUCTS Statistics for 1953 give the farm value of milk production as $28,377,000 and dairy products valued at factories or milk plants as $38,246,000. As the price of milk and butter has declined slightly during the past year, the value of milk and milk products will probably be much the same for 1954. UTILIZATION OF MILK IN PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL MILK PRODUCTION (1953) STATISTICS Per Cent Fluid sales, milk and cream 57.88 Creamery butter j 20.20 Factory cheese 1 1.65 Concentrated milk and ice-cream 8.36 Dairy butter 2.56 Used on farms and for other purposes 9.35 100.00 The 1954 butter, cheese, and powdered-milk production will show an increase, while ice-cream and evaporated-milk production will be slightly down compared with 1953. Z 48 BRITISH COLUMBIA DAIRY PLANTS During 1954 there were 12 creameries, 3 Cheddar-cheese factories, 2 powdered-milk nlants 1 evaporated-milk plant, 31 ice-cream manufacturing plants (mostly included in creameries and milk plants), 93 large and small milk-pasteunzmg plants, 2 reconstituted- milk plants, and around 260 counter freezers in operation in the Province. CREAMERIES Only twelve creameries were making butter during the year, the smallest number of creameries in operation in British Columbia since the turn of the century. The trend in recent years has been toward fewer creameries with a larger total production. The 1954 creamery butter production will exceed all previous records, with a total of approximately 7,000,000 pounds, the previous high year being 1945, when 6,205,000 pounds were manufactured. P CHEESE-FACTORIES Three Cheddar-cheese factories and one farm-cheese factory have been in operation during the year. These are located at Armstrong, Salmon Arm, Edgewood, and Nanaimo. One blue-vein cheese factory has made a small amount of cheese at Creston. The factory at Edgewood has only been operated part of the year. It has recently changed from a co-operative back to a private company. Around 800,000 pounds of Cheddar cheese was made this year, an increase of 21 per cent over the figure for 1953. This year's production of cottage cheese amounts to just over 3,600,000 pounds. | It is felt British Columbia would consume more cheese if the grade was marked on the package for the information of the consumer, and if the retail price was lower. IMPORTS Due largely to population increase and in spite of increased local production and the invasion of oleomargarine in 1949, our butter imports have remained much the same since 1947, averaging around 20,000,000 pounds annually. Other dairy products imported are cheese and evaporated, powdered, and condensed milk, in the order named. The value of dairy imports approximates $18,000,000 yearly. EXPORTS Dairy exports over a six-year period from 1947 to 1952, inclusive, had an average value of $694,287, made up chiefly of evaporated and powdered milk and a comparatively small amount of butter and cheese. CONCENTRATED MILK PRODUCTS Reports to date indicate that powdered-milk production will increase 26 per cent and evaporated-milk production decrease 5 per cent compared with 1953. There are two powdered-milk plants in operation (one very small) and one evaporated-milk plant. ICE-CREAM British Columbia produced 3,058,000 gallons of ice-cream in 1953 from thirty-one plants, ranking third among the Provinces. This figure will be slightly lower for 1954, due chiefly to unfavourable weather for ice-cream consumption. SHORT COURSE IN DAIRYING The eighth annual short course in dairying offered jointly by the Department of Dairying, University of British Columbia, and the Dairy Branch, Department of Agfl- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Z 49 culture, Victoria, through the facilities of the University Extension Department, conducted at Acadia Camp, University of British Columbia, November 1st to December 4th, inclusive, proved to be one of the most successful held. Twenty-two students attended the general four weeks' course. Twenty-five students took the special one-week course in Babcock testing and five took the ice-cream course. Total enrolment for all courses was thirty-four. |f Increased yearly contributions from the industry indicate the growing value of this course. i The services of all persons contributing to the success of the short course in dairying are herewith gratefully acknowledged. H DAIRY LICENCES AND CERTIFICATES The following licences and certificates of proficiency were issued during 1954: Creamery or Dairy Licences, 101; Milk-testers' Licences, 134; Combined Milk-testers' and Cream-graders' Licences, 39; one single Cream-grader's Licence; Certificates of Proficiency, 22; making a total of 297, being an increase of 3 licences and 9 certificates over the number issued in 1953. Thirty-four examinations were given for Milk-testers' Licences during the year. For list of licensed dairy plants see Appendix No. 1. OLEOMARGARINE LICENCES Five firms were issued licences to manufacture oleomargarine in 1954. These were Canada Packers Limited, Consolidated Enterprises Limited, Kraft Foods Limited, Nova Margarine Limited, all of Vancouver, and Westminster Foods Limited, New Westminster. Twenty-three licences were issued to wholesalers of oleomargarine. Per capita consumption of oleomargarine is estimated at 13.5 pounds. Per capita consumption of butter has been reduced from 28 pounds in 1948 to about 20 pounds in 1954. HI I 1 §| -9B INSPECTION AND INSTRUCTION SERVICES Six Dairy Inspectors are employed by this Branch. Herbert Riehl resigned, effective April 30th. He was replaced by D. E. Thompson, a 1941 graduate of the Ontario Agricultural College who operated the Valley Dairy at Penticton for ten years and was recently manager of the Northern Dairies Limited at Prince George. Following are excerpts taken from the Inspectors' annual reports. George Patchett, Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands:— "A late, cold spring had some delaying influence on the production of milk in the early part of the year, resulting in a considerable movement of Mainland milk to Vancouver Island until a later date than usual. The unseasonal weather was beneficial in that it delayed and shortened the surplus milk period, leaving a very short period when more milk was produced than was necessary to meet the local need. I Prices for milk have remained the same both to the producer and for consumer trade. Many more dairy-farmers have built new milk-houses and installed modern equipment than was the case in former years. A continued improvement in quality of milk is evident. "AH Island districts have found a ready market for most of the milk produced. The Comox district greatly benefited from the activities of the Air Force at Comox, the industrial boom at Campbell River, and a good demand for milk at the south end of the Island. The outlook for dairying on Vancouver Island for next year seems to be excellent." G. D. Johnson, Interior:— "Throughout 1954, 119 inspections of all dairy, creamery, cheese, and ice-cream plants were carried out in the Okanagan, Similkameen, Cariboo, Peace River, and Central BRITISH COLUMBIA Z 50 British Columbia districts. In the same areas visits were made to dairy-farms, and £ stitute and dairy meetings were attended and addressed. Interviews were given relative to all phases of the dairy industry." N. H. Ingledew, East and West Kootenays:— "The year 1954 has been a difficult one for the dairy industry in the Kootenays As a result of an economic readjustment, sales volume has dropped considerably (lo to 15 per cent on the Trail market), which, coupled with good winter production, resulted in a high percentage of surplus milk from December, 1953, to September of 1954." K. G. Savage and D. E. Thompson, Greater Vancouver:— "During the year 1954 Inspectors from this area were called upon to assist in planning layouts for dairy buildings, lecturing at the annual dairy short course and youth training course, interpreting regulations for dairymen and the general public, and holding meetings with public health departments, Live Stock Branch, equipment manufacturers and others as they related to the problems of the dairy industry in the Greater Vancouver area." D. D. Wilson, Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands:— 1 The activities included expansion of the dairy laboratory, inspections under 6 Oleomargarine Act' in the Okanagan area and assistance in organizing a dairy booth at the B.C. Products Fair. Informative talks were given more than 1,500 schoolchildren who were accompanied through the Burdge dairy-farm. The usual routine of inspecting dairies on Vancouver and Gulf Islands was a major part of the year's work." SUMMARY OF PLANT INSPECTIONS, TESTS MADE, AND MEETINGS ATTENDED f Dairy-plant inspections 771 Farm visits 326 Butter-fat check tests 3,872 Resazurin, sediment, and temperature tests 3,228 Milk samples tested for added water 395 Reports and test cards sent to milk and cream producers 2,330 Meetings attended 121 Visits to oleomargarine plants and public eating-places re j Oleomargarine Act § 284 MILK PRICES, 1954 Prices for fluid milk to the producers throughout the Province remained much the same in 1953, ranging from $4.50 to $5.90 per hundredweight for 3.5 per cent milk. Retail prices to the consumer ranged from 18 cents per quart in the Peace River Block, 20 to 24 cents in Vancouver and other parts of the Province, to a high of 26 cents for Special in Victoria. SUMMARY The increase in population and the development of more industry in the Province would indicate a continued demand for milk and milk products. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Z 51 REPORT OF POULTRY BRANCH W. H. Pope, P.Ac, Poultry Commissioner The relatively high prices for poultry products during 1953 and the increased quantities of feed-grade grains available to producers in other Provinces were responsible for a considerable increase in Canada's poultry population in 1954. This has caused a small but continuing surplus which has depressed prices during the past year. Continued heavy production in all kinds of poultry and overproduction of turkeys and fowl in the United States has also adversely affected the prices of Canadian poultry. PRODUCTION Eggs While egg production has shown a 24.5-per-cent increase during 1954, the total return to the producer has been considerably less than in 1953. Production through Registered Grading-stations Year 1953. 1954. Cases 434,279 538,490 Weighted Producer, Price per Dozen 46.7^ 37.50 Total $6,083,828 6,058,012 The volume going through registered stations probably represents about 75 per cent of the total Provincial production of commercial eggs. The remaining 25 per cent or approximately 120,000 cases were produced for home consumption or for distribution by producer-wholesalers or vendors. In addition, in excess of 9,500,000 eggs were used by hatcheries within the Province and a substantial quantity exported for hatching purposes. m ff- Poultry—Broilers, Chicken, and Fowl During 1954, fowl prices have been lower than in any post-war period. A low of 12 to 14 cents per pound was reached during September and October. Chicken and Fowl through Registered Stations Year Fowl (Lb.) 1953 3,809,958 1954 I 4,053,550 Turkeys Chicken (Lb.) 4,334,113 4,105,080 Prices for British Columbia turkeys have, during 1954, been depressed by heavy production levels in Canada and overproduction in the United States. This condition has been further aggravated by the existing tariff structure, which places the Canadian producer in an unfavourable position. Turkey Marketings and Producer Prices (Live weight) Year 1952 1953 1954 Pounds 2,946,973 2,876,295 3,632,919 Price per Pound Light 37tf-45tf 34tf? Heavy 30^-35^ 210 Z 52 BRITISH COLUMBIA The record flow of turkeys into Canada from the United States is an important factor in the low prices being paid for British Columbia birds. POULTRY-FLOCK APPROVAL Jj The development of the whole-blood test for pullorum disease and the excellent results obtained from the flock-approval programme during past years have made it possible to completely reorganize the recording procedures and office work relative to the programme. Inspectors H. Gasperdone, N. J. Supeene, C. W. Wood, F. Wilkinson, R K Arnould, A. S. Kyle, and H. E. Upton have been employed on this programme during various periods of the season. With the exception of Mr. Gasperdone's work in the Okanagan, most of the field work has been carried out by temporary staff members. The twenty years of testing under the Flock Approval Policy has seen Salmonella pullorum infection in breeder flocks decline from 6.09 per cent in 1934-35 to 0.02 per cent in 1954-55. It has been several years since any field infection of pullorum has been reported. All Inspectors met to discuss and revise the regulations of the programme. Three new men have been trained. Dr. J. C. Bankier supervises the technical aspects of the testing programme, Data on Flock Approval, 1950—54 Year 1950. 1951. 1952. 1953. 1954. Number of Flocks Approved 474 398 453 636 328 Number of Birds Pullorum-tested 253,848 300,000 234,602 276,521 351,507 Percentage of Reactors 0.046 0.022 0.001 0.28 0.20 HATCHERY OPERATIONS There has been a marked trend by chicken- and turkey-hatchery operators to import hatching-eggs and breeding stock. Some of these hatcheries are offering widely advertised strains and breeds obtained on a franchise basis. The changes that are currently being introduced in the Canadian R.O.P. Policy and the establishment of the random testing unit at Ottawa are designed to place the Canadian breeder in a more favourable competitive position. M Production and Distribution of Chicks Hatched Year 1950. 1951. 1952. 1953. 1954. Hatched Exported Imported Destroyed Sold in Province 4,770,978 6,234,426 5,852,539 7,018,569 7,181,710 642,949 750,991 522,746 346,669 603,580 93,815 117,684 155,340 180,382 962,468 595,950 841,368 792,812 1,268,426 3,259,376 5,005,169 4,643,765 6,059,470 4,965,212 Figures to June 30th show that 7,906,592 eggs had been incubated with a hatch- ability of 70.1 per cent. This is 2.5 per cent below the national average to that date. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Chicks Hatched by Breeds to June 30th Breed 1954 New Hampshires 2,005,190 S.C. White Leghorns 1,439,344 Crosses 1 1,434,879 White Plymouth Rocks 214,018 Light Sussex 122,945 Barred Plymouth Rocks 103,144 Others 227,274 TURKEY PRODUCTION Z 53 1953 2,370,843 1,173,690 1,372,997 67,771 100,382 106,965 A heavy movement of poults and hatching-eggs into British Columbia from Washington is causing some concern among turkey-breeders. These importations are probably responsible for the renewed interest in sound breeding practices and a more rigid approval policy. Production and Distribution of Poults Year Hatched Exported Imported Sold in Province 1950. 1951 441,121 356,069 464,202 345,519 506,605 96,185 50,237 156,252 165,716 2,694 347,630 305,832 314,550 197,363 1952 1953 p 1954 _ \ 6,600 17,560 Turkey Flocks Pullorum-tested and Approved Flocks Birds 1950 67 25,667 1951 53 28,220 1952 55 17,631 1953 44 18,764 1954 34 19,775 During the 1954 season 944,459 turkey eggs were incubated and 506,605 poults hatched, giving an average hatchability of 56.3 per cent. This compares to the 1953 figure of 57.8 per cent and to the Canadian average of 54.5 per cent for 1953 and 58.9 per cent for 1954. Up to and including the week of December 3rd, 3,811,119 pounds of turkeys from the United States were imported into Canada. Of this amount, 1,302,761 pounds came into British Columbia. The quantity imported into Canada is in excess of British Columbia's production and equal to approximately 16.5 per cent of the entire Canadian production. Because of this rapidly developing trend that is threatening the Canadian turkey industry, the British Columbia Turkey Association, supported by all other Provincial turkey organizations, has made repeated appeals to the Government of Canada to provide tariff protection similar to that enjoyed by turkey-producers in the United States. While United States turkeys are not being dumped on the Canadian market, they are being offered at distress prices because of continued overproduction and the discontinuance of government support prices. POULTRY-DISEASES Respiratory diseases continue to be a major problem where vaccination recommendations have not been fully carried out or in areas that have not been previously exposed. While there have been reports of 1 breaks j in vaccinated flocks, these appear to be of a minor nature. BRITISH COLUMBIA Z 54 Demands have been made for the introduction of additional vaccines for Newcastle and infectious bronchitis diseases, but to date requests for permits to import have been denied. Chronic respiratory disease does not seem to be causing serious losses except under stress conditions of mismanagement, respiratory or other diseases. Recommended treat ment suppresses this disease where other factors are adequately cared for. Vaccine Distribution Doses Lederle Newcastle (ocular type) 1,084,700 Connaught Newcastle (spray type)___;_ _ 896,950 Connaught combined Newcastle and infectious bronchitis (spray type) 300,800 Total 2,282,450 The distribution of vaccine has been reorganized and is now entirely handled by the staff of the New Westminster office. All surpluses accruing from the distribution of vaccine remain in the Blood Testing Fund, which is administered by Mr. Bagshaw, Bursar, University of British Columbia. The surplus of this Fund is used to finance projects of immediate concern to British Columbia's poultry industry. SOUR-EGG PROJECT This project, which was fully described in the 1953 Annual Report, is being continued with Dr. Paul Trussell, of British Columbia Research Council, in charge. Since it has been determined that the washing of eggs induces an increased degree of spoilage, an effort is being made to evolve a nest that will keep a high percentage of eggs clean under practical farm conditions. This phase of the project is being financed by the Canadian Research Council, the Canada Department of Agriculture, the British Columbia Department of Agriculture, and the poultry industry. POULTRY CONFERENCES fl H Canadian Hatchery Federation, Winnipeg, Man. ft i Canadian Turkey Federation, Winnipeg, Man. j|. §| British Columbia Federation of Agriculture, Vancouver, B.C. POULTRY SHORT COURSES |jj Turkey Short Course: Nanaimo (January). Turkey Short Course: University of British Columbia (February). Poultry Short Course: Creston (February). Poultry Short Course: Salmon Arm (March). Poultry Short Course: Armstrong (March). Poultry Short Course: Kelowna (March). Hatchery Short Course: University of British Columbia (November). POULTRY MEETINGS The Poultry Branch has attempted to have one of its members in attendance at all poultry meetings. These meetings include turkey and poultry producers, hatchery operators, produce-dealers, feed-manufacturers, Farmers' Institutes, and committees dealing with poultry problems. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Z 55 BRITISH COLUMBIA POULTRY INDUSTRIES COUNCIL This organization continues to be an important force in British Columbia's poultry industry and is worthy of the entire industry's support. While the Council is composed of all sections of the industry, by far the greatest number of problems presented for its consideration are of a producer nature. The Poultry Diseases Committee, which operates through the P.I.C., has done much to bring about uniform recommendations for the control of Newcastle and infectious bronchitis diseases. M POULTRY AND TURKEY SHOWS Several major poultry and turkey shows are annual events and are attended by Inspectors of the Poultry Branch. The assistance of the staff is sought and is freely given to these events, which give good publicity to the poultry industry. In addition, staff Inspectors attend and judge the poultry exhibits at many fall fairs. WINNINGS AT NATIONAL EXHIBITIONS British Columbia poultrymen successfully competed in both the Canadian National Exhibition and the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. At the Canadian National, Jane Acces Egg Farm (J. Pringle), of Chilliwack, was awarded first prize for his entry of 30 dozen Grade A Large white eggs with a score of 98.9. In Grade A Large brown eggs, Langara Poultry Farm, Richmond, and W. G. Drew & Sons, Sidney, tied for second place with a score of 97.7. J. R. Coombs, of Saanichton, took second place in the class for Grade A Medium brown eggs with a score of 96.5. These high scores and placings in a national competition reflect credit on these British Columbia producers. John Blashet, Aldergrove, made a highly successful entry of Broad Breasted Bronze turkeys in the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. With an entry of four birds, Mr. Blashet's winnings included grand champion of the show, three firsts, and one second. This was the first time Mr. Blashet had entered his birds in a national exhibition. STAFF CHANGES W. H. Pope replaced G. L. Landon as Poultry Commissioner in August. Walter Wakely resigned in November and was replaced by N. J. Supeene. C. W. Wood was appointed as Inspector for the Okanagan in December. These men are well qualified by training and experience to make a valuable contribution to the poultry industry of British Columbia. NOTE In the interest of brevity, much of the excellent material submitted by Inspector H. Gasperdone has been incorporated into this general report rather than using it on a regional basis. 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. The outlook is the same. BRITISH COLUMBIA Z 56 Stallion enrollments for the year were as follows:— 1953: A,1;B,3;C,0;D,3;E,26;F,3. f 1954: A, 4; B, 2; C, 1; D, 1; E, 21; F, 11. 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. j # The price picture can be evaluated by examining the appendices over last year's. The general feeling is that prices have been moving downward somewhat, but not to the extent where it would seriously affect the industry. A more important factor affecting the net income of cattlemen is the over-all higher production costs. BULL TESTING A third year of this work has been completed with equally good results as in the previous year. At the end of the current year's trial, it was decided to restrict the work at the University to laboratory trials. The progeny testing of bulls to be carried out at the Kamloops range station is proceeding as planned, and indications are that some very valuable information will be obtained from the tests. |j BULL-CONTROL AREAS This policy is a most useful one. A new area in the North Thompson—the Sullivan Valley Bull-control Area—was gazetted late this year. J. W. Awmack reported on the bull-control areas in the East Kootenay, Sand Creek, Newgate-Grasmere, and Waldo. SALES AND SHOW RESULTS The summarized reports of sales in British Columbia during the year 1954 are shown in the appendices (Appendices Nos. 5, 14, and 15). PROVINCIAL BULL SALE AND FAT STOCK SHOW, KAMLOOPS, MARCH 9th TO 11th, 1954 Total head, 395. 1 Champion car-lot: J. W. Lauder, Quilchena. §§ Reserve champion car-lot: Nicola Lake Stock Farm Limited, Nicola. M Champion group of five steers: Haughton Brothers, Kamloops. -B Reserve champion group of five steers: F. De Leeuw & Sons, Knutsford. B Champion animal of the open singles: Basran Brothers, Kelowna. If Reserve champion animal of the open singles: Denis Atkinson, Penticton. || Champion animal of the boys' and girls' competition: Irene Gardiner, Kamloops. 1 Reserve champion animal of the boys' and girls' competition: Dennis Lyster, Armstrong. Grand champion animal of the show: Irene Gardiner, Kamloops. Reserve grand champion animal of the show: Dennis Lyster, Armstrong. DAIRY CATTLE AND DAIRYING Never have we had more and better dairy cattle. One of the best pieces of production work is being done in the placement of choice young dairy stock. . , The number of inquiries received from points outside the Fraser Valley for aid in locatmg suitable dairy stock approximated those received in 1953. Grade heifer calves DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Z 57 are selected only from D.H.I.A. herds where production of the dam and (or) granddam is known, calves are sired by registered bulls, and all calves are blood-tested for brucellosis. Only calves negative to the test are shipped. JL DAIRY-HERD IMPROVEMENT The foUowing is the report of J. A. Mace, Superintendent of Dairy Herd Improvement Services:— The year 1954 was a very mixed-up one for dairymen, particularly in the Fraser Valley. While weather conditions were conducive to good pasture growth and the increased production that goes with it, the same conditions made hay-making a very hazardous undertaking, with the result that much poor-quality hay has been put up in the Province. This lack of quality will be partly offset by an increase in the volume of silage made, although, here again, lack of knowledge in the building of and material to put in stack and trench silos may make the resultant feed somewhat disappointing. While definite figures for 1954 will not be available until the spring of 1955, it is felt that the production of the associations may well be down somewhat from the record 1953 figure. Generally lower prices for dairy products throughout the year may tend to curb grain feeding and, to that extent, lower production. These lower prices and the resultant uncertainty and indecision amongst dairymen caused further delay in contemplated expansion of D.H.I, routes. That this course was justified is shown by the turnover of herds in the newest route where this process has absorbed much of the waiting list formerly available for another route in the Langley- Surrey district. On the other hand, a stable and expanding waiting list in the district extending from Mission to Agassiz has enabled preparations to be made to start an additional route in this area commencing January 1st, 1955. This will mean two reasonably compact routes here—one including the area from Mission to Harrison Mills, the other confined exclusively to the Agassiz district. M. Symkowich, at present on Langley- Surrey Route 2, is being transferred to take the Agassiz run. Paul E. Jensen, White Rock, will take over the Langley-Surrey Route. D.H.I, routes operating in the Province remain at twenty-one in fourteen Associations, with approximately 490 herds on test. All routes are full and operating efficiently. Herds per route average twenty-three with 24.4 days' work. Total cows on test are up considerably, to 12,293 as at June 30th, 1954. This averages 633 cows per route. Attached in appendix form is a list of associations, giving the names of their respective supervisors and secretaries (Appendix No. 6). There was a total of 9,530 milking periods completed during 1953, an increase of nearly 20 per cent over 1952. Average production was up again slightly at 9,538 pounds of milk (4.21 per cent) and 402 pounds of butter-fat per cow. A summarized report showing average production by breeds is attached in Appendix No. 7. STAFF The following changes or transfers of supervisors took place during the year: Pat Hibbert from Dewdney-Deroche Dairy Herd Improvement Association to Salmon Arm- North Okanagan; Soren Baehr from Salmon Arm-North Okanagan to Surrey to replace Fred Nagel, who resigned to go farming; A. Maddocks from Matsqui Route 2 to Dewdney-Deroche; P. Harvey from Sumas Route 2 to Matsqui Route 2; Brian Hall, a student at the short course held at the University of British Columbia from March 19th to 30th, 1954, went to work on Sumas Route 2; Henry Bylsma, a student at the same class, went to work on Chilliwack Route 3 to replace Stan Blabey, who has taken a year's leave of absence due to ill health. The problem of securing sufficient suitable men to act as supervisors on the associations continues to be a difficult one. BRITISH COLUMBIA Z 58 CALF TAGGING During the past twelve months 3,000 tags have been allocated to D.H.I.A routes an increase of 25 per cent over the 1953 figures. This interest in tagging is mci appreciated, as it not only furnishes us with absolutely authentic information concern^ daughters and dams for our sire-list work, but is the basis for much of the authentic information used in giving production ratings to bulls in use in A.I. Clubs in the Province. DEPARTMENTAL SUBSIDIES Grants to twenty-one D.H.I, routes amounted to $40,674 during 1954, an increase ' j R.O.P.-D.H.I.A. COMBINED SERVICE Fifty-one D.H.I, herds are now availing themselves of this very worth-while service. In May, 1954, Ottawa decided that herds on Plan A would no longer be eligible for combined service testing. The majority of herds on the combined service who were on Plan A immediately switched to Plan B. Losses incurred by this change in policy have since been more than replaced, in fact membership is at an all-time high, herd-owners under this plan now having over 850 pure-bred cows receiving R.O.P. tests at very little cost and inconvenience to themselves. DISEASE-CONTROL PROJECT (LIVE STOCK BRANCH APPROVED HERD POLICY) The fundamental value of this project has been definitely shown, although the lull potential will not be realized until sufficient time and help are made available so that an intimate study of the information obtained can be made by those concerned with its administration. FIELD WORK The policy of personal contact with both members and supervisors of D.H.I, routes has been continued to as great an extent as possible. Annual meetings of all Dairy Herd Improvement Associations were attended, as well as a D.H.I, field-day at Chilliwack, and also annual meetings of both the Chilliwack and Milner Artificial Insemination Associations and the regional meeting of District Agriculturists held at Victoria, among others. A talk was given to students attending the Dairy Short Course at the University of British Columbia, outlining the operation of Dairy Herd Improvement Associations and their potential value to dairymen. ANNUAL DAIRY SIRE LISTS Only one sire list was prepared this year—namely, the Twenty-third Holstein— containing production information concerning some 160 Holstein bulls. Unless these lists can be prepared and issued with regularity containing pertinent and up-to-date information, much of their potential value is lost. H j- PRODUCTION RECORDS The year 1954 will again reach an all-time high in the receipt of these records. D.H.I. should account for over 10,000 completed periods, and R.O.P. have already sent through over 4,000. A new system of numbering non-qualifying D.H.I, records has been started and will prove of great benefit in securing further daughter-dam pairs. Previous to starting this system, many pairs were missed as there was no positive identification made of the dam's non-qualifying record. It is felt that these non-qualifying records are of equal, if not greater, importance than qualifying ones if a full and complete picture ot a bull's productive capacity, as shown through his tested daughters, is to be given. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Z 59 ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION CLUBS A close relation with artificial insemination units has again been maintained this year. Periodic reports on the performance of bulls in these units have been prepared irrespective of whether a regular sire list was being made up for the breed in question at the time. It is felt that a close and harmonious relationship must be maintained between this office, the artificial insemination units, and the Federal Department of Agriculture personnel dealing with bull selection if the full benefit of the artificial insemination programme is to be realized. One disappointing factor in regard to the operation of these units is the lack of attention being given to the tagging of calves. This office could undoubtedly give much quicker and more complete proofs on artificial insemination bulls if an accurate and authentic system of tagging were adopted by the clubs. fSj| PARENTAL PRODUCTION SUMMARIES Complete reports have been prepared on twelve prospective sires for interested purchasers. "LONG PULL" In co-operation with Frank Clark, live-stock fieldman, Department of Agriculture, New Westminster, this small bulletin has gone out to D.H.I, members regularly each month for the past year. A good many complimentary remarks have been received on this effort. An attempt is made to- keep the contents of each issue timely, interesting, and pertinent from the view-point of the D.H.I, members. TON-OF-FAT COMPETITION Interest in this very practical competition continues to grow. The fact that more D.H.I, herds are eligible for the competition each year, and that the total number of cows published in the annual ton-of-fat list continues to grow, seems to indicate that the effort being made to get dairy-farmers to realize the vital importance of handling good dairy cows in such a manner that they may realize their full potential according to lifetime production rather than individual high records is bearing results. Forty-seven herds were eligible for competition last year (that is, had a minimum of 25 per cent of the cows completing lactations during the year with a production of 2,000 pounds of butter-fat or over), and G. E. London, Delta Rdute 2, D.H.I.A., was the 1953 winner, his herd having 55 per cent of such cows. A total of 1,216 cows appear in the fifteenth annual list of long-life production cows issued this year. PUBLICATIONS H.I.C. No. 74, The Twenty-third List of Holstein Sires, containing reports on 160 sires. Monthly issues of the 1 Long Pull." H.I.C. No. 75, Fifteenth Annual List of Long-distance Production Records of 1 Ton of Butter-fat or Over, giving details of milk and butter-fat records for 1,216 cows. SUMMARY OF TRANSACTIONS UNDER PURE-BRED SIRES FOR FARMERS' INSTITUTES POLICY Sire purchases for the year 1954 were as follows (1953 figures in parentheses): Twelve (eight) pure-bred sires have been purchased at a cost of $4,450 ($3,000), with a total freight charge to this Department of $359.43 ($282.95). Z 60 BRITISH COLUMBIA ROYAL AGRICULTURAL WINTER FAIR, TORONTO, NOVEMBER K 12th TO 22nd, 1954 Never before was there as strong a Hereford show at the Royal Winter Fair and while our wins may not seem to be very great, our exhibit was very well appreciated and our cattle were recognized as sound and practical. There were two large American herds which were the strong winners. The competition amongst Canadian breeders was keen and prizes quite well divided. Our wins were as follows:— Colonel Spencer: First, senior cow class; fourth, junior yearling bulls- eleventh, senior yearling bulls; seventh, 2-year-old bulls; and eleventh' summer yearling bulls. Len Wood: Fourth, cross-bred and grade steers (900 to 1,000 pounds); fourth, cross-bred and grade steers (1,000 to 1,250 pounds); seventh senior yearling bulls; and seventh, summer yearling bulls. V. Ellison: First, pure-bred summer yearling steers (later made breed champion); ninth, junior heifer calves; and ninth, junior bull calves. Fred Dey: Fifth and sixth, summer yearling heifers. Felix Abel: Third, 2-year-old bulls. Glen Shannon: Fifth, grade and cross-bred steers (900 to 1,000 pounds). The win of Hereford breed champion steer by Vern Ellison was outstanding, a compliment to the breeder and to his outstanding herdsman, Harold Somerset. The win by Colonel Spencer in the aged cow class showed the sound, rugged quality of Earlscourt breeding. Fifth and sixth places in summer yearling females by Fred Dey was one of the good wins. In the Sale of Stars, the Felix Abel bull brought $1,450 and third highest price. Col. Victor Spencer drew top price in the female Sale of Stars. Generally, market cattle sold rather low, with the average about HVz cents. PACIFIC INTERNATIONAL EXPOSITION, PORTLAND, ORE., 1954 Jersey and Ayrshire dairy cattle entered by British Columbia breeders at the 1954 Pacific International Exposition at Portland, Ore., captured an impressive share of honours in stiff competition with top entries from American exhibitors. With a shipment of only 26 head, British Columbia Jersey entrants took awards for the senior and grand champion bull, reserve grand champion cow, junior champion heifer, nine firsts, including the coveted State Herd prize, six seconds, six thirds, and four fourths. Leading the aged bulls class and senior and grand winner was Bellavista Royal Standard from H. Reifel's Bellavista Farms at Milner. Second and fourth in the same class were W. H. Savage's Glendowan Boy's Aim and Quilchena Standard's Le Parcq 5th. First prize senior yearling bull was W. H. Savage's Glendowan Boy's Illustrious. First prize junior calf was entered by H. Malenstyn, of Ladner. Reserve grand champion cow was Fairmeade Radiance Aim 2nd from the herd of G. H. Keur, Quilchena Farms, Lulu Island. f Junior champion heifer, Quilchena Pamela Princess, came from the same well- known herd. In the State Herd competition, British Columbia was a strong first. British Columbia Ayrshires also came off very well at the big Portland show, taking the junior champion bull, grand and reserve grand champion cows, junior champion heifer, and State Herd awards. Gharry Lord Nelson, entered by R. Adrian, of Ladner, was junior champion Dun in the show. Grand champion cow was Maple Crest Becky from the herd of W. V- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Z 61 Savage, also of Ladner. Junior champion heifer, Glengarry Lucky Jessie, was entered from the same Savage herd. Reserve grand champion cow award went to Ubyssey Commodore Allison, from the University of British Columbia's herd. This cow also was judged best-uddered cow in the show. ft Again the State Herd award was won easily by British Columbia, against competition that included entries from as far east as Ohio. These gratifying results in what is recognized as one of the top agricultural shows in the Western United States serve as a sharp reminder that the quality of British Columbia dairy stock is well above the average for all North America. Kalwood Real Domino 19th, Reg. No. 379375 First prize summer Hereford steer and breed champion for V. E. Ellison, Oyama, B.C., at the Twenty-sixth Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Toronto, Ont. SHEEP Prices for breeding stock, meat, and wool followed the general price pattern of livestock prices in general. There has been a renewed interest in sheep, as shown by more farm flocks being established. See Appendix No. 8 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 1950___ _ 8 1 2 2 $135.00 18.00 70.00 123 114 120 60 173 $1,721.00 1,728.00 2,168.00 1,115.30 3,157.00 1,371 401 376 883 282 $1,996.58 1951 673.80 1952 .. 697.43 1953 1,096.90 1954„„. 43.00 460.65 ■ Z 62 BRITISH COLUMBIA SWINE Swine-breeding is almost entirely confined to the grain-raising sections of the Prov ince such as the Peace River. Most of the swine produced there go to the Edmonton market Swine-raising in most other parts of the Province is restricted to garbage feeding of feeder hogs shipped in from Prairie points. For inspected slaughterings of hogs J Appendix No. 2; for average prices of hogs see Appendix No. 9. APPROVED HERDS This policy is receiving continuing support. The herds which have been selected have a good sound foundation and are managed by capable cattlemen. In last year's Annual Report, an outline was given of the policy. | The following have made application and been accepted under the British Columbia Approved Herd Policy: G. R. Rotluff, R.R. 1, Matsqui, May 12th, 1952; C. A. Higgin- son, R.R. 2, Sardis, January 29th, 1952; J. S. Reid, R.R. 1, Matsqui, January 23rd, 1952; Fred J. Zink, R.R. 3, Sardis, January 28th, 1952; H. B. Fraser, R.R, 2, Chilli' wack,' January 29th, 1952; J. Vonesch, R.R. 2, Abbotsford, December 16th, 1953; and John Walsh, Cedar, Vancouver Island, February 9th, 1954. As mentioned in the 1953 Annual Report, the herds of Messrs. Higginson and Rotluff have already been dealt with and British Columbia approved-herd certificates issued. The other herds are well on their way toward approval. I DISEASE 1 The importance of disease in the economy of the country is not generally appreciated. Only a paralysing outbreak of some disease seems to alert the industry to the importance of disease. New diseases draw closer to our borders each year. This suggests keener policing and constant study of the whole field. This year, during one or more nights, cattle near the United States-Canadian border were attacked while in pasture close to the farm buildings. The location of the injuries and their peculiar nature very strongly indicates that these injuries were the work of vampire bats. The bats were not seen, unfortunately, and there is no record, as far as we know, of these animals ever appearing farther north than Southern United States. Insect and parasitic pests are drawing closer to our borders and invading our country. This serious situation does not appear to be recognized by the industry except in a very minor way. SPECIFIC DISEASES Hemorrhagic Septicemia.—In its complex form usually termed I shipping fever." With the step-up in live-stock movements, we have a step-up in the incidence of this disease. We are constantly advising stockmen how to prevent and how to handle outbreaks. Coccidiosis.—The incidence of this condition has been decreasing. Necrotic Stomatitis.—There is always some of this disease present, but the causal organism seems to be doing more damage when included in the foot-rot of cattle syndrome. Equine Encephalomyelitis.—This was not an encephalomyelitis year. The weather was not suitable, but it would seem as though the stage is being set for another near epidemic. Caseous Lymphadenitis.—The importation of old prairie ewes is the source of our breaks. We are holding the disease down by inspection and quarantine. If the incidence increases, we shall have to refuse entry of this class of stock. Keratitis (Pinkeye).—-This disease is strongly established in the range country. 1 his too, came in with outside cattle. Cattle from the Interior coming to the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island are definitely establishing the disease in these areas. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Z 63 Carcinoma of the Eye.—Cancerous eye in cattle seems to be increasing. The stimulating effect of an increased incidence of keratitis, together with the recognized inheritance factor, constitutes the complete syndrome. Foot-rot in Cattle.—This condition is becoming of increasing importance. Its appearance on more and more ranches indicates the need for closer attention to the problem. We have been doing considerable work on the disease but more should be done. It seems to present a complex problem. Foot-rot in Sheep.—This is a reportable disease under our I Contagious Diseases (Animals) Act." The good work of our Inspectors has helped to keep the incidence of this disease down. Liver Abscess.—Where foot-rot is prevalent, abscessed livers appear since the Actinomyces Necrophorus organism appears in both conditions, ft Actinomycosis and Actinobacillosis.—These may appear singly or in combination. As we proceed with our area disease clean-up for brucellosis, it is hoped that we can eliminate these diseases. We have made good progress in this approach. Swine Erysipelas.—Uncontrolled importations of swine have established this disease over wide areas of the Province. Once established, it is impossible to eradicate. It means living with the disease. This disease is especially dangerous to poultry, particularly turkeys. Swine Rhinitis.—-This is another importation. Much research work is being done, and while no specific answer has been found, a lot of useful information has been obtained. Other Complex Swine Troubles.—Swine seem to be subject to a wide range of troubles—some sporadic, some of an infectious or contagious nature. These work singly and in various combinations as we find them. Good attention to feeding and management seems to help greatly. These troubles include respiratory and enteric conditions. Johne's Disease.—This disease seems to be increasing, and unless something is done, it is certain to become a real problem. It is a reportable disease under the Federal Health of Animals Division. We uncovered a bad break in a large sheep flock last year. Some progress in its eradication has been made, but it is far from cleaned up. Infectious Abortion Other than Brucella Infection.—The two chief causative agents met with in our Province are those caused by the protozoan Trichomonas foetus and the organism Vibrio foetus. The former fortunately seems not to be prevalent, but vibriosis unfortunately quite widespread. Vibriosis.—A very severe break was uncovered in the Grasmere-Roosville district. The disease affected approximately sixteen cattle herds and actively appeared in several herds running on this range. In the clean-up approximately twenty bulls were shipped and the cow herds culled very carefully. The cows were kept out of breeding for some three months and were then bred artificially. The cattlemen made a very fine organized effort, and it is hoped that the disease may be eliminated. A close check is being kept on the situation, especially to note how the different herds calve out. Quarantine is being retained until we are sure we have the disease eradicated. The matter of next year's breeding plan has yet to be decided. All the cattle herds were blood-tested for brucellosis. Trouble was found only in recent importations from outside the Province. This vibriosis outbreak was traced to imported cattle. With the entire Kootenays now within disease-control areas, the chances for disease outbreaks like this are much less. Mastitis.—This disease is one of the most costly to the dairy industry and will soon be enemy number one; it also constitutes a public health problem. With the advent of antibiotics, the disease has taken on a new angle. We have more of the bad strains and types to contend with. In our production work in the placement of breeding stock, we have restricted importations to brucellosis-free cattle with sound udders as well as good production. The results have been most satisfactory. §| BRITISH COLUMBIA Z 64 VESICULAR DISEASES Rabies —Little can be added to what was said in last year's report. The Federal Health of Animals Division is in charge of the work, but our Department is continuing to assist on the same basis as last year. Rabies is one of America's greatest disease problems, a challenge to the veterinary and medical professions and to governments. BRUCELLOSIS-CONTROL The year 1954 has been one of greatest progress in the control of brucellosis in British Columbia. A study of this disease and its control on a world-wide basis indicates increased interest in its control. It is very evident that the public health side of this disease in receiving much more attention. We have received quite a number of disturbing reports on human brucellosis. Some of these have been investigated and our findings have shown a high incidence of brucellosis in the herds on the farms. The following tabulated statement gives the over-all picture:— Calfhood Vaccination Total vaccinated under Provincial policy during the period July 31st, 1941, to July 14th, 1950, 83,730. This figure includes 14,121 calves vaccinated under the area programme by Provincial veterinarians. Calfhood 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 Totals 54,263 106,864 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 Since the beginning of the work of warble-fly control in British Columbia, the first organized policy in Canada, great progress has been made. When we first started, it was not uncommon to find an average incidence of infestation as high as twenty-five or thirty warbles. In many of these areas the incidence to-day is perhaps less than two warbles on the average. The only thing which prevents a complete clean-up is the fact that some people are careless in treating their heifers on pasture and also that imported stock brings in new implants. In some sections we need more intimate supervision. As areas come in under our disease-control policy, closer supervised control is to be carried out. The control of warbles is most essential in the over-all control and eradication of brucellosis and some other disease problems which are confronting us in our work. The need for more intimate insect-pest control, especially in the southern part of the Province, is something which is becoming more evident all the time. Recent work done in the range country to the south proves distinctly the close relationship between the control of specific diseases and the incidence of internal and external parasites. We have reason to be thankful that we got started early on warble-fly control. While we need better organi- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Z 65 zation in some parts of the Province, we are fortunate in having such an excellently organized programme in some districts, especially in concentrated dairying areas like the Fraser Valley. This latter district is under the immediate direction of F. C. Clark of this Branch. w (Mr. Clark has carried out considerable work on warble-fly control. His detailed report, as well as reports from other Departmental officials in various areas of the Province, is on file in the office of the Chief Veterinary Inspector.) j MILK ACT | ADMINISTRATION, DAIRY HERD INSPECTION, AND DAIRY-FARM GRADING No other policy has accomplished more than dairy-herd inspections and farm grading. In the districts where the work has received support, the quality of the product has been excellent and consumption has been high. If an examination of plate count records in several areas is made, it will be noted that the counts remain consistently down to a very low level, far below the legal requirements; also it will be noted that the incidence of mastitis is very low. This all means a low replacement percentage in the dairy herds. This work is supported by our brucellosis-eradication programme. This is a much more sound approach than that of ignoring these several policies, and trying to live with these troubles, and failing to recognize quality as the very foundation of a sound industry. (See Appendix No. 10.) (Here again the detailed reports of the Veterinary Inspectors are on file in the office of the Chief Veterinary Inspector. These show the number of premises inspected, the number of all cattle, of milk cows, of cows milking, etc., as well as much other information of local interest to each area concerned and valuable in the all-over Provincial picture.) FUR-FARMING AND j FUR-FARM ACT 1 ADMINISTRATION It is generally conceded that this Act is one of the best. The British Columbia fur- farm industry is one of the most disease-free and the management methods are the best. This means a very sound industry. ft During the year there were only seven premises quarantined; two of these later proved not to have had distemper, and one of the breaks was very mild. Of the four other breaks, three were on new ranches made up entirely of mink from outside the Province. During the year seventy-one new licences were issued for the establishment of new ranches. Of these, nine were ranches built entirely on mink from outside the Province. On these seventy-one ranches, there were three distemper outbreaks, and all three breaks were on ranches built entirely on outside mink. This would seem to be a very fine record and would seem to indicate no need for any change in policy or procedure. The following is a summary of activities within the industry: 1954 licences issued, 432, as against 408 last year* (Nos. 2561f to 2992f). Revenue totalled, $4,640 ($4,360 in 1953). Five lots of Fromms (minkvac) mink distemper vaccine were purchased, at a cost of $875.25 ($596.75 in 1953), by the Department to combat initial outbreaks of distember. | Seven ranches were quarantined for distemper but only five were proven; four are still under quarantine. Twenty permits to vaccinate were issued— all for minkvac—fifteen of these as a protective measure only with five of the latter having previously had distemper. • Seventy-one new licences (thirty-six chinchiUa, thirty-three mink, and two nutria) were isued, including nine mink-ranchers moved from Alberta. Fifty ranches ceased operations (thirty-one mink, sixteen chinchma, one fox, one marten, and one skunk). Z 66 BRITISH COLUMBIA Statistics (1952) released by the Dominion Bureau of Statistics in April, 1954. 1952 1951 1950 Ranch-produced pelts sold (number) Value of pelts ~ ^""-TjrToo Value of breeding stock at December 31st, 1952. 82,839 $1,347,718 $1,619,561 70,552 $1,226,289 $1,530,781 65,659 $1,147,321 $1,473,988 1948 46,627 $638,612 $1,099,710 The following table indicates the distribution of fur-farm transportation permjts issued during the period December 1st, 1953, to November 30th, 1954 (figures for 1953 shown in parentheses):— Kind and Number of Permits Mink Chinchilla Fox Export, 114 (117)— Canada United States — United Kingdom Sweden Netherlands Austria Totals Import, 83 (102)— Canada United States Totals Move, 55 (65) 317 ( 219 ( 11 ( 6( ( 4(- 536) 114) 3D 59) 12) ) 557 ( 752) 1,030 (1,015) 330 ( 160) 1,360 (1,175) 281 ( 184) 158 ( 26) 8 (--) 15 ( 31) ( 15) (__) ------ (--) 181 ( 72) 59 (187) 137 (_) 196 (187) 73 (188) Nutria The large number of mink imported from other Canadian Provinces is due primarily to the movement to British Columbia from Alberta of nine ranchers and their stock, totalling 965 animals. In addition to those listed in the above table, permits were issued to cover movement of mink to shows at Milwaukee, Seattle, Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, and Regina, and for chinchilla to shows at Nanaimo, New Westminster, Edmonton, and the National Chinchilla Show at Guelph. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 ANIMAL PATHOLOGICAL SERVICES Z 67 Dr. 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, 1953 to November 30th, 1954 Diseases Due to— m C © m o X! u >> p M u p. H © m O | © i—H «S +-> 1 © M © a 1 Fur- bearers Miscellaneous Remarks Total A. Bacteria Abortion . - 11 14 24 51 45 9 7 1 85 5 113 71 6 4 180 44 2 3 1 130 97 181 36 145 33 7 12 4 15 15 31 14 1 2 6 11 1 4 2 6 4 35 14 21 25 13 1 1 2 2 — 2 1 2 89 9 4 3 5 2 1 2 3 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 4 2 3 1 1 11 1 5 9 13 5 2 1 9 i 3 3 7 2 1 ~1 1 mummification, 1 coryne- bacteria.- . .... 7 Actinomycosis 1 2 89 Blackleg- — BruceUosis 87 negative, 1 positive, 1 suspicious Enteritis 1 mink, 1 rabbit, 1 pigeon, 1 swan Erysipelas 42 31 Fowl-cholera.- Goat- 14 1 1 Johne's disease. Liver necrosis Malignant oedema — 4 Mastitis — . Non-specific infection ~. 2 mink, 1 chinchiUa 48 Pasteurelosis Mink 3 Pericarditis. 1 Peritonitis — . Mink . 54 Pneumonia 3 mink, 7 chinchilla, 1 pheasant, 3 budgies, 2 dogs, 1 cat, 1 goat, 1 baboon 4 positive Pullorum 76 9 Salmonellosis Sinusitis Mink 12 1 Staphylococcus Streptococcus.. Toxaemia — Mink ... 6 mink, 3 chinchiUa .. 16 5 103 Tuberculosis 5 B. Virus Bronchitis 113 Chronic respiratory disease. Mink, dog .. 75 Distemper Fowl-pox . &* '' Laryngo-tracheitis Leucosis _ 14 Canaries 9 4 180 Neural Ocular _...__ __ . Bone Skin Visceral ... „ Newcastle disease 97 C Protozoa Coccidiosis 5 rabbits, 1 goat, 2 geese. 224 Caeca1__ _ __ j Intestinal Renal. ... . Entero-hepatitis- . _ - H examiti asi s 58 13 Trichomoniasis.. D. Helminthes Caecal worms Gaoe worms 1 7 1 Gizzard worms Geese 7 Luns worms Deer. 2 Roundworms Tapeworms.. . Trich ostron pv1 ps Doe - 13 5 Goat 2 E. Fungi Aspergillosis. _ 2 Mvcosis 17 Z 68 BRITISH COLUMBIA Specimens Examined in Vancouver Laboratory, December 1st, 1953, to November 30th, 1954—Continued Diseases Due to— a © M O •r-i 6 as >> © m m | as © t-l O 1 © I-H ■»-» a U n © © C/3 g Fur- bearers Miscellaneous Remarks F. Nutrition 6 1 16 5 1 82 9 756 9 2 2 3 87 175 7 1 4 1 3 5 8 2 4 6 2 6 1 2 2 4 40 23 69 5 2 12 2 I 24 17 1 3 1 1 11 2 13 1 12 1 1 2 2 jj 1 2 15 1 1 9 11 2 4 3 4 i 1 2 2 3 1 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 2 Dog — ■ ~ | —— Pheasants Mink.. G. Metabolic Disorders Mink Mink H. Miscellaneous Liver Mink 1 r>iaf»«tivp deraneement 9 chinchillas, 1 goose, budgie... Faultv management 10 mink, 1 chinchilla, ducks.. 2 Faecal samples . 2 dogs, 1 goat Fibrillary muscle rupture _ — Dog „.. .. Gizzard erosion - - California murrelet Western grebes Gizzard impaction Gout Budgie Hernia Hock disorder. Impaction Injury Mink, budgies. Internal haemorrhage Mink Intussusception Cat Keratitis. . ... Negative findings Nitrate poisoning Mink, 1 dog, 1 goat, 1 egg- (Edema of wattles. Preventriculitis Round heart Semen samples Tumour... Unsuitable for examination Uraemia . . Totals 2,178 338 41 170 7 11 86 75 mmmm^^ Total 10 1 17 7 3 3 2 1 15 3 87 1 9 1 35 796 9 2 1 2 3 121 257 20 2 1 8 3 1 1 9 3 12 20 1 2 31 1 2 4 6 12 4 3 6 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Z 69 Location from which Specimens Originated Location Number of Owners 1953 1954 Location Number of Owners 1953 Greater Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, and Burquitlam Richmond Delta Surrey Langley Matsqui Sumas Chilliwack Kent Mission-Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Vancouver Island Carried forward. 110 90 45 78 10 17 87 92 70 61 36 54 4 8 27 25 2 5 21 18 5 5 12 29 429 482 1954 Brought forward South and North Coast and Islands North Okanagan South Okanagan West Kootenay East Kootenay Boundary Kettle Valley Pemberton Kamloops Central and Northern British Colum bia Golden and Revelstoke United States (Washington) Totals 429 10 14 5 10 9 2 3 12 15 3 1 482 11 44 6 14 6 2 2 1 32 26 1 513 627 In other activities associated with pathological work, Dr. Bankier reports having attended the following meetings and conferences, field-days, and short courses:— (1) The ninety-first annual meeting of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Seattle, August 23rd to 26th, where he presented a paper on | Poultry Disease Problems in British Columbia." (2) Conference of Canadian workers in pathology, Hull, Que., October 5th to 7th. -||| | (3) Annual meeting of the British Columbia Poultry Industries Council, the annual meeting of the British Columbia Artificial Insemination Centre, as well as several meetings on matters affecting the poultry industry. Addresses were given at some seven poultry meetings. (4) Participated in five short courses—three in the field of turkey and poultry production and two in the field of fur-farming. (5) Three field-days were attended. (6) Twenty-five field visits were made in connection with respiratory diseases of poultry. | (7) Special disease investigations; problems include the uncovering of round- heart disease of chickens, canary-pox, respiratory diseases of poultry, which includes Newcastle disease and infectious bronchitis. In this work 1 796 poultry blood samples were taken from eighty flocks and were referred to Connaught Medical Research Laboratories, University of Toronto, for diagnosis. (8) Observations in the field of such diseases as erysipelas and coccidiosis were made and recommendations offered. Z 70 BRITISH COLUMBIA 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, 1953, to November 30th, 1954 Diseases Due to— CO © CO I-I O 1 © t-H a U © © p co ® O 0 © a •rH I-H o n Fur- l bearers CO O Q Wild Animals Miscellaneous Remarks A. Bacteria 2 1 8,589 1 1 3 2 32 1 4 1 1 2 1 1 ! i i l l l l l 2 1 1 1 4 2 6 10 46 1 1 1 37 8 3 7 8 189 3 20 18 1 35 8 1 4 3 4 2 2 1 2 1 22 5 1 4 1 2 2 1 1 19 4 1 26 5 4 3 2 1 2 — 1 4 1 1 1 1 8,021 negative, 148 suspicious, 423 positive Chicken Chinchilla Gastritis Chinchilla Gastro-enteritis Hemorrhagic septicaemia— Rabbit, mink Rabbit B. Protozoa Blackhead Rabbits, pigeons f^nppiilinsis C. Metazoa Gestodes Trisects T icp Mites .. Rat (cuterebra larvae)- - Myiosis Nematodes D. Virus C.R.D... Fowl-pox. Leucosis Newcastle disease E. Miscellaneous Atresia ani Arteriosclerosis Anaemia. . .. Asphyxia. Calcification Cannibalism .... Chilling Cysts Casts, bronchial— _ Casts, mucous . Degeneration Feed Foreign body Gastric ulcers Indigestion.. Impaction . Internal haemorrhage Injury Impotency.. Moniliasis.. Mucoid enteritis. Nut, anaemia. Total 1 8,592 1 10 1 10 47 1 2 3 2 32 1 :f 3 1 1 37 10 22 1 7 4 8 198 29 18 1 35 8 1 26 v) 4 1 3 4 2 1 2 2 6 2 3 3 22 5 1 ft- ir 2 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Specimens Examined in Victoria Laboratory, December 1st, 1953, to November 30th, 1954—Continued Z 71 Diseases Due to— CO © CO m O 1 © ■+-> a © © CO o 0 © 1 C/3 >> u +■> r-H o Ph Fur- bearers CO oo O Q Wild Animals Miscellaneous Remarks Total E. Miscellaneous—Cont. Necrosis — 1 1 1 — — —. 1 4 1 16 2 2 1 11 4 1 — 1 1 2 2 4 Odour Overheating ~ Perosis. — Pheasant 1 1 1 11 5 1 17 3 Rineworm Mink Starvation — Steatitis Mink Thrombosis -— Thrown out Parrot Tumour. Uraemia Totals 2 18,642 10 2 2 6 473 54 97 — 8 3 9,243 56 Counted twice Totals 2 8,642 8 1 2 6 419 97 1 .... 8 3 9,187 1 i ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION Observations made throughout Canada would indicate that this service requires a closer alignment with and over-all supervision by government live-stock and veterinary branches, il My original thought on this matter was to provide supervision and direction but not to undertake the mechanics of the work. The use of frozen semen has come into the picture and must be dealt with properly, and in conjunction with artificial insemination generally, otherwise serious difficulties will be encountered. MEAT INSPECTION Since the last report was compiled, an Act known as "An Act respecting the Slaughtering and the Inspection, Storage, Handling and Preparation of Meat and Meat Products I was passed. Regulations under this Act have been drafted and presented for examination and review. The Clappison plant at Haney continues to operate as a trial effort, and is doing a very excellent job and serving a very good purpose. Dr. Kidd and later Dr. Mustard served as Supervising Inspectors. The report is summarized as follows: A total slaughter of 5,164 head, made up of 1,167 head of cattle, 179 calves, 22 sheep, 37 lambs, and 3,759 swine, is shown. The year's operations found only three complete carcasses condemned, two of these being cattle and one of swine. In all, 1,964 portions were condemned. It should be borne in mind that this plant handles only the best class of live stock, and the condemnations which are so small in reality do not furnish a cross- section of the situation over the country in general. CALFHOOD VACCINATION The work of calfhood vaccination with Strain 19 Brucella vaccine was started in 1941, immediately when the use of the vaccine was approved by Canada and the United States. Considering our cattle population, I feel that our vaccinations have been high. DISEASE-FREE AREAS This policy had its beginning in a small way in the Inonoaklin Valley, Area No. 1, in the year 1945, but was not gazetted until 1950. Almost all of British Columbia is now under area control as far north as Alexandria in the Cariboo, except a small portion of the North Okanagan and the Fraser Valley. We also have a good-sized area in the McBride district. Z 72 BRITISH COLUMBIA The work is built round both calfhood vaccination and blood-testing. Our records and findings prove the need for blood-testing in conjunction with vaccination^ the sound procedure. § Of the some twenty-three areas established, twenty-one have been gazetted, and these total areas, eleven areas have been shown to be disease-free over complete blood test. Two of our early areas—namely, Area No. 1 (Inonoaklin) and Area No. 3 (Che jy^'lle)—have recently been completely retested without finding a single reactor. This proves that herds and areas can be cleaned up and kept clean. The results of some three years of working with our approved herds has shown that large dairy herds, even in rather dangerous surroundings, can be cleaned up and kept clean. i A table listing the several areas and showing the vaccinations done through the years appears in the appendices. Some of these areas have been cleaned up over blood test and consequently vaccinations are nil or much reduced (see Appendix No. 11). \ It should be pointed out that the policing of the different areas imposes a great deal of work, but disease-control work, unlike so many other types of effort, demands intimate attention to detail. Nothing can be taken for granted. This calls for seeking out animals that have been illegally entered, the retesting of entries legally made, the supervision of sales, etc. The most important thing in the successful conduct of the work is the control of cattle movements. Only by having areas with suitable boundaries can this be done, We now have very complete control of the regular cattle sales, which is most important to the success of the work. Some smaller sales are appearing, but these will be brought into line. (Detailed reports from the Veterinary Inspector of the Live Stock Branch dealing with various phases of their activities in this particular field are on file in the office of the Chief Veterinary Inspector. These show the wide scope of the services they perform and contain complete records of animals and premises inspected throughout the year.) BRAND INSPECTION flj The following is a report by the Recorder of Brands, Thomas Moore:— §| Shipments Shipments of cattle in British Columbia were 79,634 head, compared to 63,419 head in 1953. This shows an increase of 16,215 head. H Cattle shipped from the Interior of British Columbia to the United States in 1954 were 3,207 head, compared to 528 head in 1953, an increase of 2,679 head. Demand for Canadian cattle this year appeared to be better than in 1953, particularly in the early part of 1954. Shipments of cattle from the Cariboo were 22,684 head, compared with 16,784 head in 1953, an increase of 5,900 head. Kamloops-Nicola shipped 24,653 head in 1953, compared with 29,312 head in 1954, an increase of 4,659 head. Shipments of hides were 18,233, as compared to 17,265 in 1953, an increase in the number of hides of 968. Horses shipped in 1954 were 5,328 head as against 5,883 head in 1953, a decrease of 555 head. Shipments of cattle to the Prairies were 7,849 head in 1954, compared to 6,595 head in 1953, an increase of 1,254 head. Inspection Service f| Brand inspection was carried on by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police at seventy shipping-points in the following districts:— Cariboo: Williams Lake, Quesnel, Alexis Creek, Bella Coola, Clinton, Lil- looet, Bralorne, 100 Mile House, and Wells. Kamloops-Nicola: Chase, Blue River, Salmon Arm, Ashcroft, Lytton, Spences Bridge, Merritt, Hope, Kamloops, Flood, and Boston Bar. § DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Z 73 Okanagan and Similkameen: Vernon, Lumby, Armstrong, Enderby, Kelowna, Penticton, Summerland, Oliver, Osoyoos, Princeton, Copper Mountain, Keremeos, Hedley, Grand Forks, Greenwood, Falkland, and Sicamous! South-eastern British Columbia: Rossland, Trail, Fruitvale, Castlegar, Crescent Valley, Nelson, Kaslo, Salmo, Creston, New Denver, Cranbrook, Kimberley, Fernie, Natal, Invermere, Golden, Revelstoke, Nakusp, Radium Hot Springs, and Field. § Central British Columbia and Peace River: Smithers, Hazelton, Terrace, Burns Lake, Vanderhoof, Prince George, McBride, Red Pass, Pouce Coupe, IDawson Creek, Fort St. John, Fort St. James, and Atlin. Inspectors paid by the Department attended to the work at eighteen shipping-points, as follows: Bridge Lake, Clinton, Copper Creek, Dawson Creek, Endako, Graham Siding, Houston, 100 Mile House, 150 Mile House, Kamloops, Kitwanga, Lac la Hache, Nicola, Pavilion, Soda Creek, Spillimacheen, Williams Lake, and Lone Butte. Staff Appointments New appointments during this year were E. Samann, Assistant Supervisor of Predator-control, appointed Deputy Brand Inspector on February 25th, 1954, for the sole purpose of inspection of horses, before being slaughtered, which are to be used by the Game Department in the control of predators. Dr. J. Steele, Vancouver, City Health Department, appointed a Deputy Brand Inspector, March 15th, 1954. P. G. Lawrence, Brand Inspector, appointed November 16th, 1954. Resignations Marvin Pickard, Deputy Brand Inspector, Soda Creek, resigned August 31st, 1954. The Williams Lake Brand Inspector is covering this area pending a new appointment. Peter T. Jacobson, Deputy Brand Inspector, Endako, resigned September 8th, 1954. His duties are being carried out by the R.C.M.P. Vanderhoof Detachment pending a new appointment. E. R. King, Deputy Brand Inspector for Bridge Lake, resigned December 31st, 1953. He was replaced by W. Daniels, who was appointed a Deputy Brand Inspector on January 1st, 1954. || J| Brand Commissioners Lord Martin Cecil, a valued member of the Board of Brand Commissioners, submitted his resignation to the Minister of Agriculture, and this was accepted with keen regret. Hugh G. Cornwall, of Onward Ranch, 150 Mile House, was appointed a member of the Board of Brand Commissioners to replace Lord Martin Cecil. Appreciation is expressed to the Brand Commissioners for their assistance and co-operation during the year. fj| Leave of Absence A. P. Newhouse, Brand Inspector, Williams Lake, requested a leave of absence to join the armed services. Gilbert Forbes, Deputy Brand Inspector, Lac la Hache, is acting as his relief pending the return of A. P. Newhouse, as specified by the Civil Service Commission. 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, and 100 Mile House. In giving these lectures the Chief Inspector of Brands dealt with three Provincial Statutes—the I Stock-brands Act," the 1 Horned Cattle Purchases Act," and the 1 Beef Z 74 BRITISH COLUMBIA 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 live stock was available. At Kamloops Dr. L. P. Guichon, Brand Commissioner, assisted and also A. J. Duck, Brand Inspector, Kamloops, when a demonstration of brand inspection of stock and hides was carried out at the C.N.R. stockyards, Kamloops. It § felt that considerable progress has been made by giving these lectures in co-operation with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Stockmen's Meetings and Cattle Sales A meeting of the British Columbia Beef Growers' Association held at Kamloops on March 12th, 1954, was attended, and also the annual meeting of the British Columbia Beef Growers' Association held at Clinton on May 29th, 1954. Resolutions submitted and approved have received attention. Resolutions dealing with the "Beef Cattle Producers' Assistance Act," were discussed and tabled. The matter of cattle killed on the Kettle Valley Railway was discussed. The Chief Inspector of Brands gave a report to the meeting explaining that this matter had been fully dealt with as requested, and satisfactory adjustments by the Kettle Valley Railway would be made to any stockman who had cattle killed on the Kettle Valley Railway right-of-way. Meetings were also attended at Grand Forks on July 12th, 1954, and Elko on July 16th, 1954. Matters dealt with were poor branding and the importance of improved branding to curtail stealing and the working-over of brands. These meetings were well attended by the ranchers, who appeared very interested in the subjects dealt with and discussion which ensued. A field-day was held at Bulman's ranch, Kelowna, on July 11th, 1954. Your Chief Inspector of Brands was invited to attend and requested to give a talk on branding, and matters pertaining to the | Stock-brands Act" explained as requested. Dr. L. P. Guichon explained the making of branding-irons and the proper application of same. T. O'Keefe gave a practical demonstration of branding. A large number of ranchers attended this field-day. National Livestock Brand Conference The National Livestock Brand Conference held at New Mexico on June 21st and 22nd, 1954, was attended. :^^? . Ill 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 1 Stock-brands Act," the 1 Beef Cattle Producers' Assistance Act," and the I Horned Cattle Purchases Act." i We have had a number of convictions for cattle-stealing this year. It is particularly commendable to those members of the force carrying out investigations of this difficult nature to have secured sufficient evidence to obtain convictions for cattle-stealing. R.C.M.P. detachments, Brand Inspectors, and Deputy Brand Inspectors were visited throughout the Province, and matters discussed pertaining to the enforcement of the above-mentioned Acts. Brand-book renewed, The 1953 Supplement No. 1 to the brand-book, showing all brands renewed, transferred, reissued, and new brands, was published and distributed to police and Brand Inspectors, etc. The issuance of the Annual Supplement No. 2 to the brand-book, showing all brands issued in 1954, is due at the end of the year. It is anticipated to have tins brand-book completed so that it can be in the hands of the printers soon after the first of the new year. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Z 75 Brands New Brand Applications.—Approximately 334 new brands were issued this year. Brand Renewals.—There were 954 renewal applications sent out from this office in 1954. K I Brands Renewed.—There were 1,109 brands renewed in 1954. Brand Transfers.—There were 117 transfers of brands in 1954. Brand Reissues.—There were 79 reissues of brands made in 1954. Licences Issued 1953 1954 Slaughter-house 86 83 Hide-dealers 84 74 Stock-dealers 128 137 Beef-peddlers 10 10 Horse-slaughterers 19 18 Horse-meat dealers (animal food) 8 8 Horse-meat dealers (human consumption) 1 2 Permit to transport horses for range purposes 49 50 Permit to transport stallions for breeding purposes 1 1 A complete list of the licensees is attached (see Appendix No. 12). Flood Check-point Figures shown below are for the years 1953 and 1954, carried out by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police at Flood in the checking of all live stock, hides, and dressed beef through this check-point. 1953 1954 Number of cattle 5,010 6,781 Number of horses I 1,084 1,015 Number of hides 2,191 3,872 Dressed beef (quarters) 52 89 Number of trucks checked| 994 1,080 Prosecutions and Convictions under the I Stock-brands Act " Section 35 (failing to have cattle inspected at point of shipment): Keremeos, 1; Penticton, 1; Lytton, 1; Kimberley, 1. Section 34 (1) (operate as stock-dealer without a licence): Sumas, 1. Section 40 (transporting beef without Form 4): Smithers, 1; Penticton, 1. Section 37 (receive stock for carriage without brand certificate): Keremeos, 1. Section 23 (4) (obstructing Brand Inspector) : Clinton,!. Section 41 (b) (failing to produce brand inspection certificate): Hope, 2. Section 40 (ft) (impress brand other than registered brand of owner): Alexis Creeb 1. Convictions under the Criminal Code of Canada re Cattle Section 369 (theft of cattle): Haney, 2; Enderby, 3; Courtenay, 1; Greenwood, 3. Cattle and Hide Shipments || For cattle and hide shipments for the Province of British Columbia for the year 1954, see Appendix No. 13. Z 76 BRITISH COLUMBIA REPORT OF FIELD CROPS BRANCH Norman F. Putnam, M.Sc, Field Crops Commissioner C H. Nelson, B.S.A., Assistant Field Crops Commissioner CROP PRODUCTION Cereals Total cereal production will be reduced slightly this year, with the general quality of the grain much lower. Excellent moisture throughout the summer indicated a bumper crop in all the major grain-growing areas, but continued wet weather into the harvest season caused severe losses and lowered grades. Wheat acreage in the Peace River District was reduced sharply this year, with an increase in oats, barley, and flax. Much of the crop in the area was harvested in damp condition, but the latter part of October turned fine, allowing all crops to be harvested, with yields running about average for the district. Grain production was average in the Creston area and somewhat above average in the North Okanagan, but again harvesting conditions lowered grades. There were 10,000 bushels of Durum wheat grown on the Creston Flats this year. The oat-crop in the Fraser Valley was sharply reduced because of the wet weather, with considerable lodging and shattering. There is also more oats used for pasture silage where it is under sown with grass mixtures. || Following is an estimate of cereal production in the major areas:— or District Spring Wheat Fall Wheat Oats Barley Flax Rye Field Peas Peace River Central Interior (McBride to Smithers) East Kootenay Creston Boundary (Grand Forks-Bridesville). North Okanagan Kamloops Fraser Valley Vancouver Island Bu. 1,175,000 46,500 20,000 160,000 24,000 160,000 12,500 Bu. 6,000 209,000 400,000 45,000 Bu. 1,760,000 309,000 30,000 240,000 48,000 300,000 600,000 300,000 Bu. 2,052,000 38,500 20,000 68,000 64,000 200,000 Bu. 100,000 Bu. 100,000 Tons 1,620 2,000 Hay and Pasture The cool, wet spring in all areas delayed grass growth, and pastures were about two weeks later than normal. Continued cool weather with above average rainfall kept pastures at a high level of production throughout the season. Hay-crops were heavy, but wet weather hampered haying operations with a lot of spoiled hay. The hay situation in the Chilcotin area, where ranchers rely entirely on wild-hay meadows, became acute when it was impossible to cut these. However, ranchers took advantage of fine weather late in October, and some feed was salvaged. With some supplemental feeding, the ranchers should be able to get through the winter. 1 j§ In all areas there has been a decided increase in the preservation of forage-crops as ensilage, and especially in the Lower Mainland and North Okanagan. At least twice as much silage has been put up this year over last year, and, in general, farmers have had good results from the increased use of silage in the feeding programme. Grassland Clubs continued to function this year, with a large increase in membership. In addition to the clubs formed last year at Duncan, Matsqui, Pitt Meadows, Chilliwack, and North Okanagan, new clubs were organized at Langley, Mission, Agassiz, Cedar, and Courtenay. The clubs held field-days and lecture courses, and they have provided a basis for the increasing interest in grassland improvement. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Z 77 Forage-crop Seed Generally, the season has been unfavourable for the production of legume seed but reasonably favourable for grass-seed crops, notably creeping red fescue in the Peace River District. Double-cut red clover in the Fraser Valley was almost a complete failure. Under the National Forage Crop Seed Plan, growers harvested crops of Lasalle red clover and Grimm alfalfa. New contracts let this year include Lasalle red clover and vernal alfalfa. The following table gives, in summary, the estimated forage-seed production for 1954 and production for 1953:— Estimated Production, Production, 1953 1954 (Lb.) (Lb.) Alfalfa 530,000 150,000 Red clover (single) 125,000 110,000 Red clover (double) 400,000 50,000 Lasalle red clover 3,700 Alsike clover 400,000 400,000 Sweet clover 350,000 225,000 White clover 300 Ladino clover 2,500 Timothy 220,000 250,000 Timothy-alsike mixture 100,000 200,000 Brome 125,000 100,000 Creeping red fescue 605,700 700,000 Reed canary-grass 2,000 6,000 Orchard-grass 1,250 2,600 Red-top 22,400 17,000 Spring vetch 7,000 6,000 Fall vetch 2,800 2,100 Intermediate wheat-grass 70 Production of Registered and Certified Seed The inspection and registration of cereal- and forage-crop seeds is carried out by representatives of the Plant Products Division, Federal Department of Agriculture, under the regulations of the | Seeds Act." The following table gives, in summary, the number of acres and the estimated production of varieties inspected in British Columbia in 1954, the largest acreage being located in the Peace River Block:— Production Variety Acres (Bu.) Barley— Montcalm 5 # 250 Newal 20 1,200 Olli 413 15,430 Vantage 14 480 || Oats— i I Beaver 66 1,950 Eagle . 10 800 Victory - 158 5,200 Wheat— Saunders 417 13,080 Thatcher 146 3,700 Flax— Marine 204 3,850 Redwing 356 3,290 Z 78 BRITISH COLUMBIA Variety Acres Alfalfa- Grimm "52 Ladak 91 Rhizoma 674 Brome-grass — 128 Sweet clover 185 Creeping red fescue 2,736 Duraturf creeping red fescue 288 Orchard-grass (Hercules) 6 Red clover (Altaswede) Red clover (Lasalle) 35 Crested wheat-grass 5 Seed Improvement Estimated Production (Bu.) 21,100 70,000 675,875 23.500 3,500 500 Foundation-stock seed produced by the Agronomy Department of the University of British Columbia and distributed to growers through the Branch this year included Dawson's Golden Chaff wheat, 70 pounds; Ridit wheat, 190 pounds; Storm rye, 550 pounds; Eagle oats, 1,600 pounds; Victory oats, 800 pounds; and Olli barley, 175 pounds. m Potatoes S Planting of commercial potatoes was reduced about 10 per cent this year to 10,300 acres. Late blight at the Coast and early frosts in the Central Interior reduced marketable yields. Prices have remained firm. The acreage of seed-potatoes is also down this year. The following list of varieties and acreage inspected is supplied through the Federal Seed Potato Inspection Service:— Variety Acreage Canus p2.95 Chippewa 1.50 Columbia Russet 7.08 Early Epicure 38.80 Early Rose 11.50 Gold Coin 2.75 Green Mountain 55.50 Irish Cobbler 3.00 Katahdin 29.51 Kennebec 1.00 Keswick 3.00 Variety Acreage Netted Gem 1,315.03 Pontiac 23.83 Red Warba 0.25 Sebago 3.00 Sir Walter Raleigh 0.50 Warba 88.93 Wee McGregor 0.25 White Rose 145.82 Total 1,734.20 The main areas of production are also given, with approximate acreages inspected in 1954 (1953 acreage in parentheses): Vancouver Island, 150 (221); Lower Mainland, 627 (756); Pemberton, 202 (212); Okanagan, 213 (273); Cariboo, 117 (163); Central British Columbia, 20 (76); Boundary District, 310 (339); East and West Kootenays, 84 (120). Oceanside Test-plots This Branch again assembled, treated, and shipped seed-potato samples to the plots at Oceanside. One hundred and twenty-nine samples of 200 seed-pieces each were sent in by ninety-one growers. These samples were planted at the Oceanside testing-ground on November 15th and 16th. Disease readings will be taken the end of February so that results can be given wide publicity to growers and buyers of seed-potatoes before planting DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Z 79 Seed-potato Selection A programme of seed-potato selection was undertaken this year to improve the general quality and standard of perfection of seed-potato stocks. Selections this year were made from Netted Gem and White Rose on two farms in the Pemberton area and two farms in Grand Forks. These selections have been culled, and progeny will be tested to select for yield, uniformity, trueness to type, vigour, freedom from disease, and other agronomic features. Peas Total production of peas for the canning and freezing trade on Vancouver Island and in the Fraser Valley is down this year. Field peas in the North Okanagan and Creston areas were good, with an estimated production of 1,620 tons and 2,000 tons respectively. Field Crop Union Membership in the Field Crop Union was 109 this year, with 99 tests distributed. The following gives the number of tests sent out by districts: Vancouver Island, 23; Lower Mainland, 3; North Okanagan, 13; Central Interior and Cariboo, 38; Boundary and Kootenays, 17; Peace River, 5. Again the grass-mixture tests were the most popular. Field-crop Demonstrations The Branch co-operated with District Agriculturists and Dominion Experimental Farm Service in continuing the establishment of demonstration plots of cereals. Cereal trials were conducted in the East Kootenays, Edgewood, Rock Creek, Cariboo, Fraser Valley, and on Vancouver Island. This work is of value in demonstrating the performance of recommended varieties as well as testing new varieties under local conditions. Soils and Soil Fertility Maximum crop production can only be achieved through maintaining a high level of soil-fertility, and this Branch has continued to co-operate with the Extension staff in promoting improved soil-management practices through soil and plant analysis, fertilizer demonstrations, tillage and crop-rotation demonstrations, irrigation studies, and other principles of soil-management practices. Soil and Forage Analyses There were 2,260 soil samples analysed up to the end of October this year. 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. Results of all farm samples are reported back through the district agricultural office concerned. Since the end of October no soils have been analysed, as our laboratory facilities are taken up with forage analyses. Analyses are being made for crude protein and moisture on samples of grain, hay, and silage, of farm samples submitted by District Agriculturists. pH determinations on silage are also made. We expect to do a total of 200 such analyses, with about eighty-eight done to date. Most of the analyses are made on silage samples submitted, and very interesting and worth-while information is being assembled. f§ Tillage Trials l| In co-operation with the Extension Branch and the Agricultural Engineering Branch, tillage and cropping trials were inaugurated this year. Two locations in the Duncan area involved deep-tillage studies, and another project in the same area includes a detailed Z 80 BRITISH COLUMBIA studv of various tillage operations in preparing a seed-bed for cereal and pasture estab- hshment In combination with a terracing project at Bndesville by the Engineering Branch, a demonstration system of strip cropping on steep slopes to prevent erosion and improve fertility was laid down this year. Fertilizer Demonstrations In addition to plots already laid down and continued this year, several new fertilizer demonstrations were started. These plots, which are operated in co-operation with district officials, are carried on in nearly all districts of the Province. Depending on the district, they include a wide range of kinds and rates of fertilizer applications on major field crops, including cereals, potatoes, legume and grass crops for hay, silage, or pasture. Some plots on minor elements are also included. Such trials not only give valuable information on fertilizer response in areas where such information is lacking, but also acquaint the farmer in the area with results obtained. Field-days have been held in many districts on these demonstration plots. Soils Club In co-operation with the local District Agriculturist and 4-H Club supervisor, lectures were given to a group of boys from the Duncan and Saanich districts over a two-year period. Soils were discussed, field-trips made, and fertility demonstrations carried out. § A similar club with new members has been formed this fall to carry on a soils education programme in the Saanich area. M Agricultural Lime Movement of agricultural lime for soil-amendment purposes has dropped slightly this year. From January 1st to November 30th, 25,781.5 tons were distributed under the Federal-Provincial Lime Subsidy Policy. During the past year minor changes were made in the subsidy policy. Use of gypsum as a soil amendment has increased in the Okanagan area. Lime Subsidy totals are based on the fiscal year. The following is a summary of the movement of agricultural lime and subvention paid for the past five years:— Table No. 1 Fiscal Year Total Number of Applications Approved Total Amount of Subsidy Recommended Total Tonnage Used 1949-50. 974 1,810 1,827 2,243 1,590 $20,188.47 42,589.93 55,387.51 69,974.18 52,458.01 13,722.26 1950-51 26,235.06 1951-52 31,154.17 1952-53 38,917.55 1953-54 28,239.24 Fiscal Year Ground Limestone Table No. 2 Hydrated Lime 1949-50 1950-51 1951-52 1952-53 1953-54 9,396.53 7.00 8,412.20 42.50 6,125.402 131.175 8,595.223 117.425 8,837.63 52.50 Marl Carbide Residue Gypsum Pulverized Oyster or Clam Shell 4,318.73 17,746.11 22,051.05 27,926.155 18,584.02 2,637.00 2,020.50 732.00 34.25 150.55 190.25 115.50 59.00 68.00 3.50 Total Tonnage 13,722.26 26,235.06 31,154.17 38,917.55 28,325.15 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Z 81 Average Application ft Year Tons Year Tons 1949-50 14.09 1952-53 20 94 1950-51 14.49 1953-54 17 76 1951-52 17.05 J! Fertilizer and Agricultural Poisons Board Two meetings of the Board were held during the year—on May 26th and August 16th. The spring meeting was held in conjunction with the trade to consider fertilizer mixes for the coming year. The following mixes were approved: 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. Mixes for tobacco and sugar-beets were considered as special mixes, since the tonnage involved is not large and the mixes are for special crops. WEED-CONTROL Two Weed Inspectors were appointed this year for the summer months—one on the north side of the Peace River and one on the south side. The Department of Public Works has increased spraying of roadsides for weed-control, and this year the Alaska Highway Command sprayed a considerable section of the highway through the farming areas. An active community weed-control programme is operating in the Armstrong area with very good results. In most areas, farmers are using weed chemicals more widely for weed-control, with good results in most instances. Federal-Provincial Weed Survey During the past season a weed survey was completed in the Fraser Valley comprising some 450,000 acres. This survey is a joint project with the Botany Division, Science Service, Canada Department of Agriculture. Several new weeds were collected, which are the first recorded in Canada. Of particular interest was the recording of a recent infestation of tansy ragwort (Senecio facobcea) in the Abbotsford district. Weed-control Trials Introduction of new chemical herbicides has made this one of the most rapidly expanding phases of agriculture. We have continued to test these herbicides under varying conditions on a wide range of crops and weeds. Any new materials introduced are also treated. This year we conducted fifteen such weed trials in the Fraser Valley, four on Vancouver Island, and three in the North Okanagan, in addition to work already started in those areas. These chemicals include all formulations of 2,4-D and MCP, selective and pre-emergent forms of DNBP, TCA, IPC, and CIPC, Dalapon, CMU, PCP, borate chlorate mixtures, and 2,4-D borate mixtures. IIgrain Screenings In the period January 1st to November 30th, twenty permits for removal of screenings were issued. During the same period forty-four feeders' permits have been issued. There has been an increase in the amount of devitalized processed screenings reported both for the local market and for export (Appendix No. 16). Appendix No. 17 gives, in summary, the movement of screenings from British Columbia elevators for the period January 1st to October 31st. Z 82 BRITISH COLUMBIA PRIZE-WINNERS AT THE TORONTO ROYAL WINTER FAIR Because of the poor harvesting season, there were fewer exhibits forwarded from this Province to the Toronto Royal Winter Fair, but those who exhibited made a good showing. F R. Coy, of Invermere, took third place m the alfalfa class and eighteenth in the orchard-grass class. S. Weston placed fourth in the alfalfa class and fourth in the creeping red fescue class. In the Brassica seed class, Alan R. Thompson was third and William C. Zylmans fourth. 1 In the Netted Gem class, winners of first, second, third, fifth, and tenth place were, respectively, Ross Brothers, Pemberton; Edmond Ronayne, Pemberton; Francis s! Pincosy, Salmon Arm; and John O. Decker, Pemberton. Francis S. Pincosy, of Salmon Arm, placed twelfth, and Alfred L. Needoba, of Salmon Arm, fourteenth in the Katahdin potato class. In the A.O.V. potato class, Ross Brothers placed sixteenth, while in the A.O.V. rose or red class, John O. Decker was fourth and Francis S. Pincosy eighth. In the vegetable-potato classes, H. H. Bazett, of Duncan, took sixth place for his Irish Cobbler sample, and placed third in the cooking class. Alfred L. Needoba took third place in the Katahdin class and second in the Netted Gem class. REPORT OF FARMERS9 INSTITUTES S L. W. Johnson, Superintendent m At the beginning of the year 1954 there were 183 Farmers' Institutes in the Province. Of these, 153 Institutes have filed returns for the year 1953, sixteen are inactive, and fourteen have failed to file returns. Returns from the active Institutes show that while membership is approximately 6,500, Institute business continues to increase. Figures for the past three years are as follows:— Receipts Expenditures Assets Liabttities 1951 $1,111,746.02 1,009,012.51 415,761.61 138,915.03 1952 $1,191,159.50 1,053,618.41 429,613.67 83,256.17 1953 $1,197,941.19 1,054,250.94 504,147.24 83,165.02 The purchase of commodities by Institutes on behalf of members showed a slight decrease over the previous year, with the exception of stumping-powder, which showed an increase of approximately $10,000, being $73,173.37 for the year. Other commodities, which includes feed, seed, fertilizers, gasoline, oil, hardware, etc., decreased approximately $30,000, being $851,923.23 for the year 1953. g DISTRICT INSTITUTES § All District Institutes held annual meetings during the year, with the Superintendent in attendance at each. The place and dates of each meeting, together with the names DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Z 83 of the elected president, secretary, and Advisory Board member, respectively, were as follows:— District Place Date Officers Elected "A" "B" "C" Nanaimo Telkwa Prince George Kamloops New Westminster Fruitvale Salmon Arm September 25 June 22 and 23 . June 25 and 26 W. R. Barker, Duncan; J. T. Neen, R.R. 3, Nanaimo; H. Drummond, Glen Lake. E. Widen, Telkwa; A. Shelford, Wistaria; A. Shelford, Wistaria. Alton Myers, Fort Fraser; R. E. Johnston, Prince George; T. E. Gerhardi, Fort Fraser. W. Charlton, Pritchard; G. W. Humphrey, Chase; L. Johnson, Heffley Creek. T. Kuhn, Cloverdale: J. C. MacKenzie, New Westminster D. Hunter, R.R. 2, Cloverdale. John Cochrane, Mirror Lake; K. Wallace, BosweU; K. Wallace, Boswell. W. A. Monk, Grindrod; M. A. Dangel, Grindrod; J. Woodburn, Salmon Arm. J. Trueman, Quesnel; F. Vernon, Bouchie Lake; E. Greenlee, Canim Lake. L. G. Pippin, Cranbrook; A. B. Smith, Cranbrook; J. B. Aye, Jaffray. W. C. Henderson, Rolla; John Close, Sunset Prairie; P. A. Leeland, Clayhurst. "D" "E" October 28 February 5 "G" May 26 and 27 October 27 "H" «< T >> Alexandria Cranbrook Fort St. John June 26 May 28 "J" June 29 ADVISORY BOARD OF FARMERS' INSTITUTES The Advisory Board was called to Victoria by the Minister of Agriculture on March 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, at which time 126 resolutions, submitted by District Institutes, were considered. Of these, eighty-eight were carried, nineteen withdrawn, fifteen lost, and four tabled. Nine resolutions—dealing with the following subjects: Increased appropriations for the Department of Agriculture, veterinary scholarships, rural electrification, school taxes, working out taxes, Ministry of Co-operatives, Pacific Great Eastern Railway, river-bank erosion, and agricultural schools—were presented to the Select Standing Committee on Agriculture, on March 3rd. The report of the Select Standing Committee on Agriculture to the Legislative Assembly was as follows:— Legislative Committee Room, March 30th, 1954. 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 your Committee:— (1) Recommends the allotment of a larger proportion from the Budget to the Department of Agriculture for future years to provide necessary services to the farming industry of British Columbia: (2) Recommends initiation of a system of scholarships to help out suitable students with an interest or inclination toward veterinary work: (3) Whereas cheap electrical power is essential to-day for successful farm operation and to provide a reasonably high standard of living for farmers, and whereas rural electrification is generally considered as necessary to encourage the settlement in scattered areas and in areas that do not necessarily pay for themselves through purchase of electrical energy, your Committee recommends the extension of rural electrification as rapidly as possible by all power concerns in the Province with the utmost encouragement to hydro development within the Province to facilitate electrification, and that, wherever possible, funds to be made available under section 107 of the " Electric Power Act," and that hydro power be made available in areas adjacent to the site where power is developed: (4) In view of the fact that many farmers, due to physical or financial difficulties, are unable to pay taxes on their lands, and the further fact that in some cases side- roads do not receive any or, in other cases, adequate Government work, your Z 84 BRITISH COLUMBIA Committee recommends that a farmer wishing to work out his taxes on the road may do so in the discretion of the engineer or Minister concerned: (5) Recommends that a committee be set up to give assistance, supervision, and direc tion to co-operatives, and that the formation and organization of co-operatives and credit unions be further encouraged: (6) In view of the fact that the Pacific Great Eastern Railway is not only of vital importance to the entire Peace River area but is also of economic importance to the Province as a whole, your Committee recommends the extension of this rail- way from Squamish to Vancouver and from Prince George to the Peace River area as expeditiously as possible: (7) Realizing that the cost of preventing river-bank erosion is prohibitive to the individual land-owner, your Committee recommends every effort to control erosion of our agricultural land, and that departments of Government involved continue to work toward a concrete policy in this matter and continue to press the Federal Government for participation in this type of control work under the Federal "Conservation Act" of 1953: 1 (8) Recommends consideration of the establishment of an agricultural school or college within the Province at some appropriate place. Respectfully submitted. L. H. Shantz, Chairman. EXHIBITIONS AND FALL FAIRS jS During the year 1954 one Class A and three Class B exhibitions were held in the Province, together with seventy-one fall fairs, being an increase of six fairs over the year 1953. The Department again paid grants to all exhibitions and fairs in aid of their prize- lists. Grants to fall fairs were made on a basis of 25 per cent of the previous year's prize-money paid. Places and dates of these exhibitions and fairs were as follows:— J| Exhibitions Chilliwack- August 19 to 21. Vancouver August 25 to September 6. If Duncan September 9 to 11. J| Armstrong September 14 to 16. Fall Fairs jjH Vancouver Island Mayne Island August 19. Ganges September 1. Saturna September 1. Courtenay September 2 to 4. fl Saanichton September 4 and 6. || Cobble Hill September 8. ■ Alberni September 9 to 11. JH Coombs : September 10 and 11. ff Luxton September 11. I Sooke September 11. jB Lasqueti September 15. | Nanaimo September 16 to 18. Ladysmith September 22 and 23. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Z 85 Fraser Valley Haney August 12 to 14. Port Moody August 13. Gibsons August 20 and 21. Hope August 28. Squamish September 6. Port Coquitlam September 6. Abbotsford September 7 and 8. Agassiz September 10. Langley September 10 and 11. Mission September 15 and 16. North Delta September 16 and 17. North Burnaby September 17 and 18. Cloverdale September 17 and 18. Powell River September 23 to 25. South Burnaby September 24 and 25. Aldergrove September 24. Ladner September 24 and 25. Vancouver October 1 and 2. Okanagan-North Thompson Vernon August 19 to 21. Penticton August 20 and 21. Peachland August 27. Westbank September 3, Chase September 6. Louis Creek 1 September 6. Revelstoke September 6. Merritt September 6. East Kelowna September 8; Cawston September 9. Kelowna September 9 to 11. Grand Forks September 10. Oliver September 10 and 11. Lillooet September 16 and 17. Rock Creek September 22. Salmon Arm September 23 and 24. East and West Kootenays Natal August 7 and 9. Invermere August 20 and 21. Fruitvale September 3 and 4. Arrow Park September 4. Edgewood September 5 and 6. Nelson September 9 to 11. Rossland September 13 and 14. Crawford Bay September 14. § Castlegar September 17 and 18. Creston September 17 and 18. Z 86 BRITISH COLUMBIA Central British Columbia and Peace River Montney August 11. Sunset Prairie August 12. Dawson Creek August 13 and 14. McBride August 24 and 25. Williams Lake August 26 and 27. Fort Fraser August 28. Smithers September 3. Burns Lake ! September 3 and 4. Prince George September 3, 4, and 6, Bridge Lake September 4. Bella Coola | September 6. Quesnel September 10 and 11. Watch Lake September 11. Terrace September 17 and 18. POUND DISTRICTS W During the year twelve unorganized areas in the Province were constituted as pound districts. These were as follows:— Name of Pound West Bench Palling Deep Creek Fauquier Beaver Creek- Burns Lake Shelley Vanderhoof. Little Fort Christina Lake Nanoose Lister District Okanagan Central British Columbia- North Okanagan Arrow Lakes Vancouver Island Central British Columbia. Prince George Central British Columbia. North Thompson Grand Forks Vancouver Island East Kootenay Date January 19. January 27. March 29. April 23. April 23. July 2. August 9. November 4. November 8. November 26. November 26. December 13. The boundaries of seven pound districts were extended during the year. These were as follows:— Name of Pound Bear Mountain. Canyon Red Rock Cranberry Rose Prairie South Dawson.. Balmoral-Carlin-Notch Hill. District Peace River East Kootenay Prince George Vancouver Island Peace River Peace River Salmon Arm Date March 29. May 20. July 2. July 2. July 29. August 30. November 12. GRASSHOPPER-CONTROL AREAS During the year one new grasshopper-control area was constituted—namely, West- bank, on December 13th—bringing to eight the number of active control areas in the Province. These control areas, together with the amount expended by each for control measures, are as follows:— DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 z 87 Nicola Grasshopper-control Area $20 000.00 Clinton Grasshopper-control Area 875 96 South Riske Creek Grasshopper-control Area 1,638^75 Oliver-Osoyoos Grasshopper-control Area Princeton Grasshopper-control Area 3 520.72 Vernon and District Grasshopper-control Area Thompson Valleys Grasshopper-control Area Westbank Grasshopper-control Area Total _ $26,035.43 MISCELLANEOUS Fence-viewers for the Nanaimo and The Islands Electoral District and for the North Okanagan Electoral District were appointed. One hundred and forty-five licences to sell poisons used exclusively in agriculture Were issued. New regulations governing the sale of drugs and poisons were also issued. REPORT OF WOMEN'S INSTITUTES Stella E. Gummow, Superintendent Four new Women's Institutes have been organized during the year, and three have disbanded, leaving a total of 238. The new Institutes are Vedder in the Hopeline District of the South Fraser, Vinsulla in the North Thompson, and Bella Coola and Wells in the Cariboo. Winlaw in the West Kootenay, Eagle Crest in the North Fraser, and Circle Three in the East Kootenay have ceased to function. Langford is in abeyance, but owns a good hall, has a good cash balance on hand, and we hope a revival of local interest may enable this Institute to resume activity. Annual reports for the year 1953, from 223 institutes reporting, show their total receipts to be $148,294.28 and their expenditures $106,788.78. The total membership was 5,367. ~'M Institute funds are spent in the main for community projects, such as building, furnishing, and maintaining community and Women's Institute halls. Contributions are made to playgrounds, parks, and the beautification of cemeteries and identifying unmarked graves. Fall fairs and flower shows are financed wholly or in part by the Institutes, contributions are made to the Women's Institute scholarship for girls taking Home Economics, and to the Provincial per capita tax for convention expenses. WOMEN'S INSTITUTE TRUST FUNDS The Othoa Scott Trust Fund consists of $10,000 held in trust, with the interest used annually to help crippled and disabled children. This is administered by the Provincial Board. The Women's Institute Memorial Fund now has $13,000 in bonds, and the interest is used for a $250 scholarship in Home Economics at the University of British Columbia. Miss Lynn Webster, of Coldstream, is this year's winner. A bursary of $100 will also be awarded next year for the first time, in all probability to a girl or boy taking agriculture. PROVINCIAL CONVENTION The biennial convention was held at the University of British Columbia on June 1st to 3rd. Special guest was Mrs. J. W. Adams, of Ethelton, Sask., president of the Z 88 BRITISH COLUMBIA Federated Women's Institutes of Canada. The sessions were planned around the standing committees of Agriculture, Citizenship, Cultural Activities, Home Economics, Social Welfare and United Nations and International Exchange Programmes. Special speakers were L.G. Wallace, who spoke on 1 Recreation in Rural Areas "; Miss Charlotte Black Director of the School of Home Economics, University of British Columbia; Charles Walls, of the Federation of Agriculture; and Miss Jessie M. Boeckenheuer, Extension Agent of Whatcom County, Wash., who spoke on | The Women of Germany." Reports of standing committee conveners were given by Mrs. R. Palmer, Mrs. G. Brown, Mrs. | Partington, Mrs. M. Powers, and Mrs. E. J. Roylance. A meat-cutting demonstration presented by Safeway Stores proved of value. A complimentary dinner was given by the Government of British Columbia, at which the Honourable W. K. Kiernan, Minister of Agriculture, presented the Canadian flag and the Union Jack, and Point Grey presented the flag of the United Nations. These were accepted by Mrs. A. A. Shaw, Provincial president. Officers were elected as follows: President—Mrs. A. A. Shaw, 4020 West Tenth Avenue, Vancouver; vice-president—Mrs. E. J. Roylance, Greenwood; directors—Mrs. T. Windt, Alexandria; Mrs. P. Douglas, Whaletown; and Mrs. J. Decker, Pemberton. Mrs. R. Doe was reappointed secretary-treasurer at the Board meeting which followed, and the standing conveners were appointed as follows: Agriculture—Mrs. R. C. Palmer, Okanagan Mission; Citizenship—Mrs. J. Frolek, Knutsford; Cultural Activities —Mrs. R. Partington, Francois Lake; Home Economics—Mrs. W. G. Brown, Chilliwack; Social Welfare—Mrs. J. Young, Rose Prairie; United Nations and International Exchange Programmes—Mrs. D. J. De Rochie, Sooke. M HOME ECONOMICS SHORT COURSES These short courses were held again for the third year in succession and have proved their worth as we have now covered the Province once. The same staff members from the School of Home Economics as last year—Miss O. Ross, Miss W. Bracher, Miss L. Demchuk, and Miss M. McFarlane—made these courses a summer project with marked success. Miss Ross and Miss Demchuk started early on Vancouver Island, with Miss Ross continuing to Pemberton and some Fraser Valley points. Miss Bracher and Miss McFarlane covered the North Thompson, the North Okanagan, and the Kootenays. PROVINCIAL BOARD 1| The Provincial Board met in the office of the Superintendent on October 14th and 15th, with all members attending. Plans were made for carrying out suggestions and recommendations passed at the Provincial convention. A scheme was worked out to raise the per capita to $1 for four years to raise money to send delegates to Ceylon in December, 1956, for the next meeting of the Associated Country Women of the World. The Board went on record as being in favour of adding a Home Economist to the Women's Institute staff so that a year-round service could be given in Home Economics. A resolution was passed asking that the dogwood should be the official flower of this Province, as an investigation had disclosed that the dogwood in one of its various forms is found all over British Columbia. ;jB The standing committees were outlined and defined. PACIFIC NATIONAL EXHIBITION Twelve Institutes competed for the challenge cup this year, which was won by Point Grey for the third time, and thus becomes their property. The Institute exhibits were ot a high quality, with 215 articles shown. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Z 89 The demonstration booth in the Home Arts Building had Institute members from Denman Island, Point Grey, Hazelmere, and White Rock demonstrating rug-making weaving, quilting, and pillow lace. This proved a popular place, with a constant crowd of people showing interest in the work being done. A painted backdrop illustrating the other standing committee work of the Institutes was a new feature. Space was allotted in the new B.C. Building, and this gave a permanent spot for our B.C. quilt. This was made by Mrs. R. Partington, Cultural Activities convener, of quilt blocks sent in by each Institute. It was quilted by Langley Prairie and, when set up, provided a drawing-point for interested visitors. Two glass cases on either side featured other types of Women's Institute handicrafts. FALL FAIRS AND FLOWER SHOWS These were of the usual high standard throughout the Province and are an important part of Institute work. The Women's Institute section in the smaller fairs is gaining favour, with special prizes offered. DISTRICT MEETINGS Fifteen district meetings were held, with the president and secretary elected as follows:— April 6th, Douglas District at Fort Langley: Mrs. D. McDougall, Fort Langley; Mrs. S. Holding, R.R. 5, Langley Prairie. April 7th, North Fraser at Pitt Meadows: Mrs. J. Decker, Pemberton; Mrs. j§ O. E. Leaf, Whonnock. April 8th, Hopeline, South Fraser, at Abbotsford: Mrs. O. France, Chilliwack; Mrs. R. Harrington, R.R. 1, Abbotsford. April 9th, North Vancouver Island at Little Qualicum: Mrs. E. M. Smith, Lazo, R.R. 1, Comox; Mrs. S. Godwin, R.R. 2, Courtenay. |g§ April 29th, North Thompson at Clearwater: Mrs. A. Stevens, Barriere; Mrs. B. Hansen, Little Fort. May 1st, North Okanagan and Salmon Arm at Westwold: Mrs. H. Farmer, Salmon Arm; Mrs. H. L. Green, R.R. 2, Salmon Arm. May 4th, South Okanagan and Similkameen at Penticton: Mrs. J. Bowen- Colthurst, Penticton; Mrs. Gordon Ritchie, Summerland. May 8th, Arrow Lakes at Edgewood: Mrs. J. T. Kirkpatrick, Needles; Mrs. J. Lee, Arrow Park. May 11th, East Kootenay at Cranbrook: Mrs. J. Payne, Wynndel; Mrs. K. Marshall, Windermere. May 14th, West Kootenay at Robson: Mrs. T. Jenkin, R.R. 1, Nelson; Mrs. W. L. Wright, Robson. § June 22nd, Bulkley-Tweedsmuir at Telkwa: Mrs. L. Saunders, Decker Lake; Mrs. E. Dungate, Houston. June 25th, Central Interior at Pine View, near Prince George: Mrs. M. McLaren, Pine View; Mrs. G. Snell, Vanderhoof. June 26th, Cariboo at Alexandria: Mrs. K. Moffat, Kersley; Mrs. D. Robertson, Kersley. June 28th, Peace River at Rolla: Mrs. J. Young, Rose Prairie; Mrs. Lyle Braden, Rolla. September 23rd, South Vancouver Island at Brentwood: Mrs. E. H. Emery, Colwood; Miss H. Leighton, Victoria. All of these meetings, as well as a rally at Greenwood of Grand Forks, Main River, Rock Creek, Carmi, and Greenwood, were attended by your Superintendent. _ on BRITISH COLUMBIA z yu Individual visits were paid during the year to Bella Bella, Bella Coola, Englewood Kla-Anch, Woss Lake, Colwood, Craigflower, Esquimalt, Cedar, Cobble Hill, Hapnv Valley, Vinsulla (to organize), Deer Park, Parksville, Courtenay, Lazo (for the opening of their hall), Penticton, Sooke, Surrey (for their forty-fifth anniversary), Royai 0ak, Lake Hill, and Victoria. OTHER MEETINGS ATTENDED The yearly event for women from the United States and Canada, the Peace Arch picnic, was held in July, with 300 women present. Two meetings of interested groups and organizations in the interests of adult-education work were well worth while. Two meetings of the Home Arts Committee of the Pacific National Exhibition were concerned with plans for improving the standard of the displays in the Home Arts Building. RURAL HOUSING COMMITTEE No meetings of the Rural Housing Committee have been held this year, but the last booklet, "Farm House Plans," will be ready for circulation early in the new year. The booklet | Repairs to the Farm Home " is practically out of print and in all probability will be reprinted. WOMEN'S INSTITUTE HANDBOOK AND NEWS LETTER The Handbook has been revised and brought up to date and another thousand copies printed. This is the fourth edition of the Handbook. The new outline of standing committee work has been included, as outlined by the Provincial Board. A chapter giving suggestions for District Boards has been added. This was previously sent out in mimeographed form but has proved so useful that it is being included in the Handbook. The News Letter has been sent out for every month except July and August and has provided a means of contacting the Institutes on important matters. Information has been sent regarding Institute projects, dental and health services, the dangers of botulism and where information can be obtained regarding it, letters from the Provincial president, suggestions from Provincial conveners, and general information regarding current matters of interest to members. OUTSTANDING DEVELOPMENTS j The encouragement and development of leadership among women in the rural areas is one of the outstanding contributions being made by the work of the Women's Institutes. There is a decided improvement in the quality of the leadership shown, more especially in the Institutes which hold evening meetings, which bring in the younger women with families. There is also a growing interest in international affairs following the meeting of the Associated Country Women of the World in Toronto last year. Each Institute member is becoming increasingly aware of the fact that she is also a member of the international group. As a result, her interest in women of other lands has grown accordingly. CO-OPERATION AND SUPPORT APPRECIATED The co-operation and support of the Minister of Agriculture, the Deputy Minister and the staff of the Department of Agriculture, the president and Provincial Board of the Women's Institutes are much appreciated. Without their help and interest, this programme would not have been possible. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 z 91 REPORT OF SOIL SURVEY BRANCH C. C. Kelley, B.S.A., Soil Surveyor Detailed soil surveys of parts of Delta and Richmond Municipalities, amounting to 24,171 and 13,817 acres, were undertaken and completed in 1954. These localities located near Ladner and on Lulu Island in the Lower Fraser Valley, are under examination as irrigation and drainage proposals. J| Most of the work of drafting and editing for publication of the soil-map and report describing the soil resources of the Upper Kootenay and Elk River valleys has been completed by the Canada Department of Agriculture. ft The reconnaissance soil survey of the Upper Columbia River valley was completed this year with classification of about 16,000 acres. The soil-map area in this section of the Rocky Mountain Trench extends from Canal Flats to Bluewater Creek, the latter being about 25 miles north of Golden. Total classification of soils in the mapped area amounts to approximately 267,000 acres. m A start was made on a reconnaissance soil survey of the Kettle River valley. Classification was undertaken in the vicinity of Bridesville and Rock Creek, about 12,000 acres being surveyed in 1954. The reconnaissance soil surveys in parts of the Columbia River drainage-basin have been undertaken at the request of the Department of Northern Affairs and National Resources, which provides a grant of assistance. The primary purpose of the surveys is to determine the acreage of irrigation land and estimate the amount of water that should be reserved from streams flowing into the United States. The water to be reserved is for eventual development of the agriculture resource. Minor undertakings during the year included soil-conservation extension work, two meetings of the Reclamation Committee, and development of a small laboratory for physical examination and testing of soils. This Branch also co-operated with the Department of Mines in connection with a ground-water survey of the North Okanagan Valley. Five University students were employed as survey assistants during field work. One of these was assigned to assist the Experimental Farms Service soil-survey party, which continued field work in the Peace River area under the direction of L. Farstad. SOIL SURVEY OF DELTA MUNICIPALITY A detailed soil survey of 24,171 acres in Delta Municipality was undertaken and completed in the spring of 1954. The area was surveyed at the request of the Water Rights Branch, Department of Lands and Forests, which has irrigation of the locality under consideration. % The main features of the parent material from which the soils are derived consist of silt loam and silty clay loam fresh-water river deposits overlying marine sandy river deposits. The marine sands are at the greatest depth along the north side, near the Fraser River, and they rise slowly toward the surface to the southward. In the vicinity of Point Roberts there is a comparatively large area of exposed sand, derived from marine erosion of the Point Roberts upland. This remnant of an earlier landscape is composed of a considerable thickness of stratified interglacial sands covered by a capping of glacial till. The system of drainage consists of a grid of open ditches, which drain to the sea at low tide. At other tide conditions the drainage-water is pumped over the dyke. The water-table is low in summer, causing the lighter soils to dry to the point where crops are affected. Ground-water conditions often consist of a fresh-water stratum floating on salt water in the underlying sand. When a well is pumped in such places, the fresh water is removed and the salt water domes up. If pumping is continued, the salt water will enter the well. That is to say, in some sections the abundance of ground-water cannot be used for irri- 92 BRITISH COLUMBIA gation Where sand is at or near the surface in the vicinity of the dykes, considerable salinity occurs in the ditch-water. An irrigation-water supply, to be pumped from the ditch system, would have to come chiefly from the Fraser River. In the latter part of the season a set of maps showing soil conditions in the area were delivered to the Water Rights Branch. Provision has been made to hold a Reclamation Committee meeting early in 1955 for the purpose of estimating the irrigation-water requirements of the different soil types. SOIL SURVEY OF RICHMOND MUNICIPALITY In the fall of 1954 a detailed soil survey was made of sections of Richmond Municipality still zoned for agriculture, the total area examined being 13,817 acres. This work was done at the request of the Water Rights Branch, which also contributed to the cost of the survey. I| M While the geological structure of Lulu Island compares with the near-by Delta Municipality, the texture of the fine material overlying sand is heavier and generally deeper. The average texture of the upper 6 feet is silty clay loam, commonly surfaced by shallow muck. The muck indicates an original condition of saturation at the surface. The sands beneath the fresh-water- silty clay loam deposit are regarded as marine, although they are also river deposits. That is to say, the original deposition of sand, silt, and clay below the high-tide level was sorted by action of the sea, leaving the sand to form a beach while the finer sediments were carried out to deep water. The underlying sand is the key stratum in regard to the movement of the water-table. Water levels out in the sand, exerting a more or less even upward movement. Comparatively free movement into the silty clay loam above is afforded by frequent root channels and vertical cracking of the material when dry. The combination of sand below and cracked silty clay loam above permits the water-table to rise with a fair degree of freedom. Although peat-bog covers approximately one-third of Lulu Island and the entire area is subject to flooding in winter, it is rapidly becoming an urban locality at the expense of agriculture. Home-building is progressing in the form of ribbon development along established roads, thus rendering the farm land in the centre of each block ineffective. As Vancouver expands, the whole island will be urbanized. Summer drought is not as severe as in the Delta Municipality; therefore, the most important problem of development is one of drainage. Apart from draining the land for agricultural purposes, the problem is complicated by the present system of septic-tank sewage-disposal in the urban areas. The effluent from the septic tanks drains into the ditches, particularly at high water. As urbanization progresses, the ditches will become open sewers and a menace to public health. A set of soil-maps of the surveyed section in Richmond Municipality is under preparation for delivery to the Water Rights Branch. This area will be included with the Delta Municipality for consideration by the Reclamation Committee early in 1955. SOIL SURVEY OF THE UPPER KOOTENAY AND ELK RIVER VALLEYS The Canada Department of Agriculture undertakes publication of our soil-survey maps and reports, and contributes the editing and expense of publication. In this connection the soil-maps and report covering the Upper Kootenay and Elk River valleys have been in the hands of the editor and publisher since April, 1954. As of October the drafting of soil-maps for publication was reported to be 80 per cent completed. Editing of the report has been delayed. However, it is expected that the maps and report will be published by July, 1955. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 z 93 SOIL SURVEY OF THE UPPER COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY The soil and water-requirement survey of the Upper .Columbia River valley was completed in 1954. The classified area covers the floor of the Rocky Mountain Trench in the area between Canal Flats and Bluewater Creek, about 25 miles north of Golden The over-all length of the map-area is about 130 miles, the main valley depression being from 2 to 10 miles wide. Soil classification this year amounted to about 16,015 acres, the total of the map-area being approximately 267,337 acres. Twenty-five soil types were found in this area, with farm-delivery requirements of irrigation-water that vary from 16 to 48 acre-inches per acre. Soil-maps and a soil-survey report will be prepared in the winter of 1954-55, the purpose being to submit the material for publication in the spring of 1955. A noteworthy feature not previously mentioned consists of a type of easily weathered bedrock whose silty, soil-forming product is distinctive as to colour, texture, and distribution. This is a silty clay-shale of Ordovician age known as the McKay Formation. It is exposed to weathering up-stream from Canal Flats in the Kootenay River valley, and to the north of Parsons in the Columbia River valley. Soils have been formed from this material up-stream from Canal Flats and to the north of Spillimacheen, but not elsewhere. But there is an extensive glacial-lake deposit composed chiefly of McKay material that extends from Montana to the vicinity of Golden, at elevations up to 3,400 feet above sea-level. It lies in the form of a stratified bed from a few feet to 50 feet or more in thickness between the upper till (Wisconsin glaciation) and the lower till (pre-Wisconsin glaciation). It is exposed only on the sides of bluffs and ravines. During Wisconsin and pre-Wisconsin stages of glaciation, and more extensively between them, a glacial lake existed to the south of the American border with shore-lines up to 4,200 feet elevation. This was called Glacial Lake Missoula. It is here suggested that Glacial Lake Missoula extended northward in the Rocky Mountain Trench soon after recession of pre-Wisconsin ice, and that when this lake existed the drainage in the whole mapped area was southward. j SOIL SURVEY OF THE KETTLE RIVER VALLEY. A reconnaissance soil and water-requirement survey of the Kettle River valley was started in the vicinity of Bridesville and Rock Creek in September, 1954. This job has been undertaken at the request of the Water Resources Division, Department of Northern Affairs and National Resources. The primary purpose of the survey is to determine the acreage and quality of the potentially irrigable lands in the watershed of the Kettle River and estimate the amount of water that should be reserved for eventual development of the irrigation-land resource. This information will be of value in connection with diversion of water by international agreement. The secondary purpose is publication of a soil-survey report containing a soil-map, description of soil types, and general information as to the agricultural resources of the Kettle River valley. No prior soil-survey work has been undertaken in the Kettle River valley; hence the picture at the present time is limited to about 12,000 acres classified this year in the general area from Bridesville to Rock Creek. More information will be gained in 1955. From present observation it would appear that to the east of the Okanagan Valley the soil survey is moving into a region of igneous rocks containing scattered remnants or pods of limestone. In moving from north to south over this terrain the glaciers produced a spread of lime-free till, spotted with small areas of limy till. This material was delivered into the Kettle River and tributary valleys of east-west direction, and in part sorted into gravels, sands, and silts. |j The soils derived from these deposits are calcareous where lime occurs, but chiefly non-calcareous. There is a calcareous Black soil and two non-calcareous Black types. J Q, BRITISH COLUMBIA Zi "4 The latter are prairie soils not previously encountered in British Columbia, one bein* well-drained Black and the other a deep Black soil found in depressions. b In limy parent materials, Grey Wooded soils would occur in the forest bordering the Black soils, due probably to slowing of the genetic process by a neutral reaction during downward displacement of lime. In the absence of sufficient lime, however, the Grey Wooded stage is by-passed, the more or less direct result being development of Brown Podzolic soils. SOIL CONSERVATION In a year of declining farm prices for farm products, soil-conservation practices became increasingly important to growers of the Okanagan and South Thompson Valleys. Many growers found that these practices lowered production costs, and, as a result, they were in a better position to survive a period of falling prices. The practical application of soil conservation in this area falls into three categories* that is, drainage, irrigation, and soil-testing. The following is an outline of the work carried out in these fields in 1954. Drainage Increasing awareness of the value of land improvement by means of drainage is evident in the Okanagan and South Thompson Valleys. Although the cost of reclamation of poorly drained land may range from $50 to $250 per acre, the investment in a well- planned drainage system pays for itself by raising the value and the productive capacity of the land. The grower generally lacks the specialized knowledge required to solve drainage problems. In this regard he needs advisory assistance for reasonable assurance that investment in drainage will be profitable. Advisory assistance in planning drainage resulted in 102 visits to farms in the Okanagan and South Thompson Valleys. Data from these investigations were used to prepare plans for 15,512 feet of drain. About 74 per cent of the drainage-works planned were installed. The remainder will be built when the growers are financially able to do so. Sixty-two acres have shown improvement from drains installed in the area this year. Seventy-two per cent of the land so improved is being used for beef- and dairy-cattle production. This is significant because in previous years the greatest demand for advisory service was in connection with orchard drainage. On July 7th, at the request of the Regional Supervisor of the " Veterans' Land Act," a field-day was held to demonstrate drainage-extension methods. It was attended by the I Veterans' Land Act" field staff, who were shown the results obtained from drained land used for dairying. H Irrigation Although the trend toward sprinkler irrigation continued, there was some decline over 1953 in the number of new systems installed. The situation is partly due to caution in view of the decline in the prices of farm products. Advisory assistance was given in planning sprinkler irrigation systems for a total of 205 acres. Sixty-eight per cent of this area is utilized for orchard and vegetable crops, the remainder being for beef and dairy cattle. Other advisory assistance was chiefly concerned with ways and means of improving the efficiency of existing irrigation systems. Many growers have difficulty in arranging irrigation schedules to suit their soil and cropping conditions. If irrigation-water is not applied often enough, the crop suffers from drought. If irrigation is too frequent, the crop yield is depressed, f Demonstration work with a soil-moisture meter was started this year to assist growers in arranging better irrigation schedules. Frequent soil-moisture measurements were undertaken on three soil types under three kinds of cropping in the Kelowna locality. The DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Z 95 results indicate that an increase of yield can be expected when irrigation schedules are arranged on a scientific basis. Requests for advisory assistance with various irrigation problems accounted for twenty-nine visits to growers, in addition to the foregoing demonstration work. Irrigation lectures were held as part of the spring short courses at Edgewater and Jaffray in the East Kootenay District. A similar lecture was given for Kelowna tomato-growers at the request of the British Columbia Interior Vegetable Marketing Board. SOIL-TESTING The purpose of soil-testing is to evaluate soil problems and determine what amendments may be necessary. That is to say, if a soil is excessively alkaline, no benefit can be derived from fertilizers until the alkaline condition is rectified. Whenever possible, recommendations as to soil amendments were based on field observations in addition to the evidence of the soil test. || A total of 396 soil samples were tested for reaction and neutral salts. About 7 per cent were strongly alkaline, requiring the application of gypsum. About 3 per cent had an acid reaction, in some cases strong enough to require liming. About 8 per cent of the samples indicated a harmful accumulation of neutral salts. The cause of salty conditions is generally seepage and evaporation, requiring drainage as part of the corrective procedure. RECLAMATION COMMITTEE Two meetings of the Reclamation Committee were held in 1954, the first of which was on April 22nd at Kamloops. This meeting was held to consider high- and low- pressure irrigation schemes for the reconstruction of the British Columbia Fruitlands Irrigation District. This district started to function as a private enterprise in 1911. Subsequent reorganization and the handing of control from one new company to another resulted in slow deterioration of the irrigation-works, until they became practically inoperative in 1947. At this time the people occupying the land were forced to apply for government aid to get interim control of the works, thus assuring some form of water-supply until conditions can be improved. Estimates as to the cost of high- and low-pressure irrigation systems were placed before the Committee. Details and recommendations were reported in Proceedings of the Reclamation Committee, Brief 28, June, 1954, Department of Agriculture, Kelowna, B.C. The second Committee meeting was held from September 21st to 24th in the Upper Columbia River valley to estimate irrigation-water requirements of the classified soils. An additional job at the time was to make recommendations in regard to the rehabilitation of the Vermilion and Westside Irrigation Districts near Edgewater and Invermere. The estimation of irrigation-water requirements of classified soils in this area is related to the reservation of water in the watersheds of streams entering the United States. A report on this meeting is given in Reclamation Committee Brief 29. Following Commitee recommendations, a small laboratory was organized at the Kelowna office in 1954. Apparatus was set up to check Committee estimates as to irrigation-water requirements of classified soils. Further recommendations have led to the selection of two irrigation plots located on widely differing soil types for the purpose of finding the irrigation-water requirements of different crops. This job will be undertaken in the East Kootenay District in 1955 by the Experimental Station, Lethbridge, Alta. In 1954 the Canadian Department of Agriculture supported a research undertaking by the Professor of Soils, University of British Columbia, following a recommendation of the Committee. The purpose, carried out in the East Kootenay District, is to find the difference of irrigation-water use due to climatic distinctions in a range of soil- texture profiles. This research may be continued in 1955. „ n. BRITISH COLUMBIA Z 96 GROUND-WATER SURVEY Under an agreement between the Departments of Mines and Agriculture, geologists of the Department of Mines and the Geological Survey of Canada may undertake groundwater surveys in agricultural settlements, the order of choice being defined by the Department of Agriculture. | In 1954 H. Nasmith, Department of Mines, started a ground-water survey to the north of Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley. A report covering this work will be issued by the Department of Mines. During the year, geologists of the Geological Survey of Canada paid visits to the soil-survey field parties for the purpose of identifying the geological nature of soil-forming deposits. REPORT OF SOIL SURVEY ACTIVITIES IN THE PEACE RIVER DISTRICT, 1954 (L. Farstad, Senior Pedologist, Experimental Farms Service) During the 1954 field season a soil survey was made of a portion of the foothill region in the Peace River area. The area covered extends from Moberly Lake on the south to the Halfway River on the north. The area surveyed is located in Townships 78 to 85, inclusive, within Ranges 23 to 25, west of the 6th meridian. In addition, the isolated valley of Lone Pine was also surveyed. The reconnaissance map of the area represents about twenty townships or approximately 400,000 acres. The general topography of the area is undulating to gently sloping and rolling, especially in the plain and plateau portions. However, there is considerable acreage, rough, broken, and hilly, in the morainic uplands and foothills sections. Climate The Peace River area has a continental climate characterized by wide variations in temperature both in winter and summer. The average annual precipitation is 15.83 inches at Hudson Hope and 15.72 inches at Fort St. John. The average annual temperature for the foot-hills region is 34° F. at Hudson Hope and 35° at Fort St. John in the central portion. The length of the growing season over the greater part of the area is of sufficient duration for the maturing of all common agricultural crops adapted to this section of the country. A study of some of the factors affecting plant growth are presented in the following table:— jjj HudsonHope Fort St. John Mean annual temperature 34° F. 35° F. Annual precipitation 15.83 in. 15.72 in. Average annual snowfall 50.00 in. 58.90 in. Precipitation in frost-free period 9.20 in. 10.20 in. Length of growing season 157 days 165 days Frost-free period 68 days 106 days First day of growing season1 Apr. 30 Apr. 26 f| Last day of growing season Oct. 4 Oct. 8 Last frost in spring June 15 May 24 First frost in fall Aug. 22 Sept. 7 1 The growing season is regarded as the period in which the mean temperature is at or above 43° F. Vegetation Forests cover the greater part of the area surveyed and consist principally of mixed coniferous and deciduous species. The forest consists of a variety of trees and shrubs. The most common deciduous trees are poplar, cottonwood, birch, alder, and willows, while the principal coniferous species are spruce, pine, and larch. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Z 97 Lumbering in this part of the Province is confined to certain localities because depletion of merchantable lumber by forest fires has been heavy. The vegetation on low-lying, poorly drained areas varies from grasses and willows to sphagnum mosses. fr Water-supply In August, 1950, Dr. W. H. Mathews investigated the practicability of obtaining ground-water adequate for domestic requirements and for live stock in the Peace River area. His conclusions, summarized briefly, state that suitable supplies of ground-water are available at depths of less than 100 feet in the area under review. Soils The entire land surface has been overrun by one or more glaciations of Rocky Mountain origin, with the result that a thick deposit of limy glacial materials now covers it. The soils have developed from this glacial drift. Climatic and other influences acting on these materials have been somewhat more severe than in the eastern part of the Peace Block, with the result that more leaching has occurred. The principal glacial materials are lacustrine, glacial till, and alluvial sediments. The soils of lacustrine origin, covering by far the greatest part of the area, are stone- free and range in texture from sandy loam to silt loam. The silt loam soils have the widest agricultural adaptation. The nutrient status and moisture-holding capacity of these soils are good. Heavy forest-cover and inaccessibility accounts for their lack of development. The soils developed from glacial till occur in the rough moraine-like area in the vicinity of Moberly Lake, Lone Prairie, and Pine Valley. 1 The chief limitations in the use of these upland till soils are stoniness and adverse topography. The soils of alluvial origin have developed on terraces. They are stone-free and range in texture from silty clay to very fine sandy loam. These soils have the widest agricultural adaptation in the area. Their nutrient status is somewhat better than the upland soils, and they are generally accessible by roads. The soils occurring on kames, eskers, and fluviatile deposits are very poor agricultural soils. Low moisture-holding capacity, excessive drainage, low nutrient status, and adverse topography combine to make these gravelly soils extremely hazardous for farming purposes. f| Peat soils are organic soils 12 inches or more in depth. The structural range is from floating bog to the deep sphagnum moss type. These soils are not suitable for agricultural use. |§ Approximately 95 per cent of the area surveyed during the year is forested and inaccessible. The low rating of many soil areas, the high cost of clearing, and the need of roads and other services suggest that settlement in this region should be carefully supervised. REPORT OF AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT AND EXTENSION BRANCH G. L. Landon, B.S.A., P.Ag., Director The year 1954 will go down in the records as one of the wettest in the history of British Columbia. Such unfavourable weather conditions presented many problems to farmers in all sections of the Province, irrespective of the type of production. § The assistance of the District Agriculturist, the key man in Extension and the public relations representative of the Department in his district, was requested to a greater extent than in any previous year. 7 z 9g BRITISH COLUMBIA EXTENSION ACTIVITIES Three regional conferences were held during the year—one in Victoria in October for the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island staff, one at Kamloops in November for the Southern Interior staff, and one at Prince George in November for the Central British Columbia and Peace River staff. They were excellent meetings, and many problems of extension were discussed. A number of recommendations were made for the consideration of the officials at headquarters. One of the features of these conferences was the discussion on planned programmes for each District Agriculturist, along similar lines to methods used in some areas in the United States. The possibility of setting up a planning committee in each district was discussed and is being investigated. Coupled with the regional conferences were meetings of the Coordinating Committees held at Kamloops and Prince George in November. Meetings were also held at Vanderhoof in August and at Saanichton, etc. These meetings are attended by British Columbia Department of Agriculture staff, Canada Department of Agriculture staff, V.L.A. staff, and others, and are invaluable in co-ordinating the efforts of agrologists in the Province. All divisions of the Branch had a very busy year, and each division co-operated to the fullest extent in carrying the programmes of the Department to the farmer. Membership in 4-H Clubs continues to increase each year, with new projects being added. In some districts the volume of work on 4-H Club projects is tremendous and involves a problem for the District Agriculturist, who has so many other projects to look after. It is our hope that a planned programme for each district will alleviate this problem. 4-H Clubs are a vital factor in the agricultural economy of the Province, and it is anticipated the 4-H Club projects will be incorporated more and more into our Extension programme. More and more emphasis is being placed on the economics of farming, and the Extension staffs have given considerable thought to an economic unit for a dairy-farm, mixed farm, beef-cattle enterprise, etc., for areas in various sections of the Province. This is vital to successful farming to-day, with lower prices for agricultural commodities and higher costs of production. Land-clearing operations continued to take up a great deal of time of the District Agriculturist in the areas where the equipment operated. A summary is presented later on in this report. The Extension Agricultural Engineering Division was very busy during the year, and their activities are outlined in this report later on. Individual reports have been submitted by all district officials. These contain a wealth of valuable detailed information, and are on file in the Department for reference. CENTRAL BRITISH COLUMBIA, NORTH CARIBOO, f| AND PEACE RIVER REGION || (Report by S. G. Preston, P.Ag., Supervising Agriculturist) Forage-crops, cereal-crops, and seed production were affected in these areas by tie adverse weather conditions and economic conditions. Details as to yields and quality will be included in the report of the Field Crops Branch. There was a marked trend toward greater use of silage. There was a definite increase in milk production in Central British Columbia. Higher hog production was experienced in the Peace River area. Estimates indicate 30,000 hogs marketed from that area. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Z 99 Extension Activities During the season several District Agriculturists attended conventions, fairs, or gave assistance outside Central and Northern British Columbia. The experience and widening of views obtained through these outside contacts are of considerable value to the individual concerned. In addition, visiting officials often provide the extra emphasis necessary to putting across plans and programmes. |p| Progress Activities Cattle Sales.—Assistance was given at the Quesnel cattle sale by Agriculturists Tarves, Walsh, and Preston, and at the Fort St. John sale by Agriculturists Johnson, Brown, and Preston. Dairy Promotion.—All Agriculturists have been active in this work. Problems were particularly acute in the Bulkley and Nechako Valleys and the Prince George district. As a consequence, our officials were called upon to assist with organization, Milk Board hearings, and meetings with producers at Prince George and Vanderhoof. Reorganization of the Bulkley Valley Dairymen's Association and plans for future expansion were aided materially by Mr. Jameson. Advice was given during the season on matters of buildings, prices, grades, health of stock, etc. Some exchange of assistance occurred between districts. This could be done to a greater extent. Other projects receiving particular attention this season follow. Storage and Harvesting of Forage-crops.—District Agriculturists in Central British Columbia gave particular assistance in this regard, and, as a consequence, several thousand tons of silage have been stored satisfactorily. Disease-free Area.—Mr. Zacharias worked with the Northern Interior Dairymen's Association toward obtaining a petition for a disease-free area from Cluculz Lake to the Alberta boundary. A good deal of the effort was directed toward informing stockmen of the regulations and advantages and disadvantages that may accrue. Fall Fairs.—All district men and the writer took part in local fall fairs as well as being represented at the Pacific National Exhibition. G. A. Luyat acted as official judge for the Peace River fairs. Vegetable Production—Grading and Packaging.—In the western district Mr. Jameson has worked with marketing agents at Houston and Terrace. Their method of grading and marketing is working out in an excellent manner. In the Prince George district Mr. Zacharias has spent a good deal of time on farms and through garden clubs in explaining and promoting grading, packaging, and marketing. Inspections.—At the wholesale centre of Prince George a demand has arisen for destination inspections, from time to time, on fruits and vegetables. This has been done by Mr. Zacharias and the writer, with apparently complete satisfaction to shippers and wholesalers. While no retail inspections have been carried out, this may be necessary if grades and quality offered appear to be injuring trade. Farmers' Institutes.—District Agriculturists attended conventions in their areas. The Honourable W. K. Kiernan, Minister of Agriculture, attended the convention in the Peace River in 1953 and those in Central British Columbia in 1954. Only a few Farmers' Institutes provide a definite service to their community. From an Extension view-point, the McBride Farmers' Institute is outstanding and in a lesser capacity the Kitsumkalum Farmers' Institute at Terrace. Institute meetings held in areas at a time Messrs. Jameson and Zacharias make their regular trips provide a means of contacting the maximum number of farmers. I . Co-ordinating Meetings on Agriculture.—The Co-ordinating Committees on Agriculture in Central British Columbia and the Peace River are outstanding examples of 0 BRITISH COLUMBIA successful efforts to integrate activities of Federal and Provincial Departments of Agri culture, V.L.A., and Lands Department. All District Agriculturists have given fall co-operation and contributed to the value of the Committees. Summer sessions of the Co-ordinating Committees were held at Vanderhoof (Central British Columbia) and Beaverlodge (Peace River). Regional Meeting.—With senior staff changes in view, no regional meeting was held in the spring. However, Mr. Landon, Director of Extension, attended a two-day conference at Prince George on November 25th and 26th. In the afternoon of November 26th the group met at the Experimental Station, where Mr. Burns, Superintendent, and his staff explained plans they had in view. Also discussed were problems of mutual interest, such as increased sizes of farm units, financing of land-clearing, and marketing. VANCOUVER ISLAND AND LOWER MAINLAND REGION (Report by J. S. Allin, P.Ag., Supervising Agriculturist) Mr. Allin reports a greatly increased interest in silage production, grassland programmes, forages and pastures, and in diversification of farm enterprises. A considerably greater volume of milk was produced in this area. Out of a total of 3,927 farm visits made by the seven District Agriculturists in this region from January 1st to October 31st, approximately 40 per cent were made for the primary purpose of discussing some aspect of dairy production. Efficient production combined with diversification is being emphasized in this area, including recommendations on fertilizers and manure, higher-yielding crop varieties, better cultural methods, better cows and sires, better harvesting methods, and better feeding and management. Silage Production jjj The production of high-quality silage was considered of major importance to the farmer trying to lower unit cost of production. In one district of the Lower Mainland a survey of twenty-six farms was made for the purpose of compiling information which would show the farmer the value of high-quality silage and the methods of ensiling which have an influence on this quality. Each farm was visited at silage-making time, and data were secured on such items as time of cutting, stage of growth at cutting-time, type of silo, machinery employed and preservative used, method of packing, and all other variations of methods having a bearing on quality. At feeding-out time, samples were taken to determine protein and moisture content, pH, appearance, palatability, etc. This work is not yet complete and will be continued for at least another year. By this means we hope to correlate methods of ensiling with quality of silage and subsequent feed rations and requirements for economic milk production. Grassland Clubs, Forage and Pastures §f Nine Grassland Clubs operated, with a total membership of approximately 300. Short courses were arranged during the winter and early spring, also tours, field-days, and panel discussions. Fifty meetings with an attendance of 819 persons, ten field- days with 907 farmers present, and over 1,000 farm visits were made in connection with forage-crops and pastures. Programme Planning District Agriculturists met in Victoria for a three-day conference in October to deal with Extension problems. Full discussions were held on topics such as 4-H Club work and organization, Extension methods, production and marketing problems, and integration of activities between branches. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Z 101 FIGURE I--Division of Farm Visits by Sub.j e ct Forage Crop Dairying Livestock Poultry Horticultur 4~H Club Field Soils & Fertilizers Engineering General FIGURE II--Division of Office Visits by Subject Dairying Livestock Poultry Horticulture Forage Crops Field rops Soils & ertilizers Ag. Engineering General 4-H Clubs BRITISH COLUMBIA The theme of the conference was | Programme Planning," in which a County Agricultural Extension Agent from the State of Washington assisted greatly. A new understanding of the mechanics of developing an agricultural programme for a specific district was realized, based on the farm problems which the farmers must appreciate and on which they request assistance. A programme or plan of action is then outlined showing details of what is to be done to correct the situation. One essential feature is to provide the means whereby farmer representation in the form of a programme-planning committee assists in developing the programme and further assists in carrying out activities designed to improve the situation. The whole programme depends upon farmer participation and opens up a new field of duties or responsibility for the Extension worker. REPORT FOR SOUTH CARIBOO, KAMLOOPS, SHUSWAP, NORTH OKANAGAN, KOOTENAY, AND BOUNDARY DISTRICTS (Report by G. A. Luyat, P.Ag., Supervising Agriculturist) A greatly increased interest in the green pastures and silage programme is reported. This is apparent in the South Cariboo, Shuswap, North Okanagan, and Boundary Districts. Good legume-grass silage appears to be an answer to many nutritional problems prevalent in the range country. An adequate supply of good silage would, in considerable part, replace the present hay-grain feeding programme. Rations would not be balanced for calves or yearlings, but only a relatively small amount of concentrate would be required. The effect would be to reduce fixed costs of efficient ranch operation, assuming the total cost of the silage to be less than the combined costs of hay and supplement. Some saving might also be made in machinery and labour costs. The Extension staff have been a major force in advertising and selling, and in providing technical assistance to establish and maintain improved pastures. It would be reasonable to assume that at least half of the 15-per-cent increase in milk production in the Shuswap area is attributable to these improved pastures. Several hundred farm visits were made to advise on fertilizers, management, rotation, and irrigation, etc., and to score pastures in the Grassland Clubs. In the Creston district three pasture mixtures were demonstrated at Canyon, namely:— Plot 1: Brome, 8 pounds; orchard, 8 pounds; Ladino, 1 pound. Plot 2: Brome, 6 pounds; orchard, 8 pounds; Alta fescue, 4 pounds; Ladino, 1 pound. Plot 3: Orchard, 18 pounds; Ladino, 1 pound. Pasture cages were used for sampling, and three clippings taken in the establishment year. Only green weights were recorded. These were: Plot 1, 13.158 tons per acre; Plot 2, 10.946 tons per acre; Plot 3, 15.887 tons per acre. One pound of Ladino supplied sufficient legume. Orchard-grass predominated in all mixtures. Irrigated Pastures Close on to 2,000 acres of high-producing pastures were in operation during the pasture season of this year. In order to pick out the I Grassman of the Year," also to establish an accurate picture of the development and to advise each pasture operator on management, 300 pastures were scored by the District Agriculturists and the Field Crops Branch. Each district official selected his ten best pastures. Finally judging was undertaken by a panel of three. The awards for the five best pastures in the Kamloops, Salmon Arm, and North Okanagan areas went to the following:— DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Z 103 Name and Address Score A. F. Hubner, Vernon ("Grassman of the Year") 124.5 Ray Lidstone, Lumby . 220 BX Ranch, Vernon 119 5 Ivan Wright, Silver Creek 1 U9 Rusty Freeze, Hay ward's Corner. Hg All operators were highly pleased with the results of their first experience in heavy yields of grass, which in most cases supported 3 head of cows to the acre and a surplus during the flush season for silage-making. Ranges in the beef areas of the Interior showed a marked improvement over those of other years due to the high availability of moisture throughout the season. In the Cariboo it is likely that winter rustling will be plentiful because so many hay meadows have only been partially harvested. This system of partly wintering cattle can cut down costs of production tremendously where pot-holes or smaller uncut meadows are numerous, as heavy snows do not generally occur until early January. Nutrition Animal nutrition was a major problem in many areas during the year, particularly in the South Cariboo and other Interior areas. Jj|jjL The Extension workers have campaigned actively for several years to promote better live-stock nutrition. They are called upon to suggest feeding methods and rations where low-grade swamp hay, etc., is the only roughage available and work out suitable rations for pregnant cows and ewes, using grass and legume silage. Emergency feeding was discussed fully at regional meetings and at meetings with live-stock associations. Prospects for adequate supplies of roughage improved greatly during October and November. AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING DIVISION (George L. Calver, Extension Agricultural Engineer) The extremely wet summer season encountered this year interfered with some proposed field work and forced the cancellation of other portions. Changes in staff, with resultant time-loss, made it necessary to eliminate some of the work which had been planned. In mid-June A. D. McMechan resigned from the Division to take a position with the Canada Department of Agriculture. The position was filled in August by K. E. May. New work has also been added in that the writer has been named Engineer in Charge of Land-clearing. Time has been devoted to the operation of and familiarization with this programme. Trial work has been conducted for the ultimate improvement of clearing operations. The work which has been accomplished will be discussed under the main headings of "Farm Machinery," "Farm Structures," and "Soil and Water." Farm Machinery Seven machinery field-days were held this year. A " first" this year was a combine- adjustment field-day organized by the local District Agriculturist in the Armstrong area. Although the crop was not quite ready to harvest, it was possible to demonstrate adjustments and a very successful day was held. Three field-days dealing with silage-harvesting were held in conjunction with staff from the Canada Department of Agriculture, branches of the Provincial Department, and local agricultural groups. Other farm-machinery field work carried out during the year dealt with individual farm visits, together with special projects of a demonstration nature which will be listed below. 104 BRITISH COLUMBIA A mimeographed circular entitled " Silage Harvesting Costs—a Comparison of the Costs Involved in Making Various Tonnages of Grass Silage Using Several Different Machinery Combinations on Some Farms in British Columbia" was published. This information served as the basis for talks presented to farm groups at five Vancouver Island locations and was also presented to members of the British Columbia Agronomists' Association at their annual conference. Lack of man-power made it necessary to defer further study of this work until the coming year. Demonstration Projects The first project to be reported is a deep-tillage trial carried out on two of the heavier-soil groups in the Duncan area. This trial was carried out jointly by the Field Crops Branch, the Agricultural Engineering Division, and the District Agriculturist for the Duncan area. The Agricultural Engineering Division was in charge of equipment and the actual operation. Records of production were supplied by the Field Crops Branch, with the District Agriculturist carrying out local arrangements regarding field location, crop-harvesting, etc. To date our results would indicate that on an extremely heavy soil deep tillage may have some merit if the costs can be reduced somewhat and if the operation will give beneficial effects for a number of years. Investigation should be continued to determine whether or not there are less expensive methods and equipment for carrying out this operation. The second field demonstration is basically a tillage trial to demonstrate the minimum requirements for good seed-bed preparation. This project is once again being carried out jointly by the Field Crops Branch, the Agricultural Engineering Division, and the local District Agriculturist. This is a pilot type of project, carried out to determine whether or not it is possible to demonstrate good tillage by certain methods. The work will be duplicated over a period of three years in order that different weather conditions can be taken into consideration when assessing various methods of seed-bed preparation. Farmers in the Upper Clearwater area were given assistance in harvesting white- clover seed. This project was designed not only to assist with the actual mechanical harvesting of the crop, but to obtain reasonably accurate information on crop production so as to assess the possibilities of this crop for improvement of farm income. Mr. May carried out this project and is reporting in detail to the farm operators concerned. Low yields, together with difficult harvesting and weed-seed separation, make this crop of doubtful value. Farm Structures The number of plans supplied through our plan service this year dropped by 100 from our record of 1,150 of last year. The fairly steady demand for farm-building plans indicates a general tendency on the part of the farmers to provide better housing for their farm enterprises. Last year it was reported that the National Advisory Committee on Agricultural Engineering was publishing plans for most of the buildings required on a farm. The catalogue and plans for beef-housing have been completed and are now available for distribution. Work is progressing on all of the other groups of plans, and some of these should be obtainable in the coming year. It is hoped that the group covering fruit- and vegetable-storage buildings will be available in 1955, and that all of these plans will receive their first printing by 1956. During the past year we found it necessary to make some slight revisions to our poultry-house plan for northern areas. New plans drawn and made possible for distribution include a concrete liquid-manure tank to meet the demand of many of our dairy- farmers who are becoming more conservation-minded, and a plan for a thirty-cow pole-type shelter. Plans and the general programme in farm structures are also affected by the emphasis being placed on silage production. Our circular on trench silos was revised to provide more information on the construction of the bunker silo, which is basically a trench silo built above ground, and to show alternate methods of construction. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Z 105 Some portable silo wall sections were designed to be used in the construction of stacks of ensilage. The Canada Range Experimental Station at Kamloops had two pairs of these forms constructed according to our plan. Their reports indicate that this type of structure should be used by anyone planning to put up stack ensilage, especially if more than one stack is to be built. The drawing is now available for distribution. No field-days were held this year dealing primarily with farm structures. However, the subject was fitted into three field-days when farm fencing was discussed, and dairy buildings came in for a full discussion at a dairy-cattle barn meet. Approximately forty individual farm visits were made regarding farm structures, and, in addition, seventy-five letters of inquiry were answered, exclusive of inquiries met by supplying plans from stock. The services of Len Staley, lecturer at the University of British Columbia in agricultural engineering, have been obtained to draw plans for certain specific structures. Soil and Water A definite shift of interest is noted in the type of problem encountered in the field of soil and water. The requests for assistance with irrigation problems showed a marked decrease. On the other hand, the increased work regarding land-clearing did mean that as many actual farm visits were made and a large number of inquiries were answered. Drainage Field visits for drainage purposes were made to twenty-six farms. Seven farm surveys were made and detailed plans drawn up. In several cases the actual tiles have been installed and, according to reports, have functioned very successfully. In addition to these individual farm visits, two tours were made in the Pitt Meadows-Hatzic Lake areas. On these tours special note was made of the ground-water levels in relation to surface levels to determine the basic cause of poor drainage. The information obtained has assisted the District Agriculturist in his programme of promoting better drainage through lower main-ditch water-levels. Two field-days were held to demonstrate the use of ditching dynamite for drainage. These field-days not only demonstrate the actual methods of blasting a ditch, but also stress safe handling of explosives. m ■ Other work included drainage survey and report requested by the Deputy Minister and some preliminary work on a fairly large drainage problem on Southern Vancouver Island. p; Water Storage Assistance was given on five water-storage projects. Visits were made to several farms to consider possible storage locations. In many cases the soil type encountered made these potential reservoir-sites unsuitable. Several requests have been received for advice from areas where water storage is desired primarily for domestic purposes. Irrigation Field visits were considerably reduced. However, the staff designed irrigation systems for twenty-four farms, or a total of 635 acres. Of this total, 100 acres was laid out primarily for ditch and rill type of irrigation. In addition to the work already completed, survey work has been done on approximately 200 acres, and systems will be designed during the winter. Four field-days were held dealing primarily with irrigation. At most of these field- days the relative merits of sprinkler and furrow irrigation were discussed, together with some of the basic information regarding irrigation practices and equipment which could be used. Two separate reports were prepared—the first a report on the potential for sprinkler irrigation in British Columbia and the second a report on the expected irrigation, Z 106 BRITISH COLUMBIA drainage and clearing costs to be encountered on the proposed Haney gaol-site. This latter report was prepared jointly by the Field Crops Branch and this Division. Conservation The field demonstration work carried out last year by constructing two terraces in the Rock Creek area was followed up this year. A field-day was held to show the terraces after they had undergone a year's settling and had been seeded down to a grass-crop and also to point out the strip-cropping work which had been undertaken in conjunction with terrace construction. Many of the farmers in the general area consider erosion a vital problem, and terraces have been laid out for two more farmers. If no set-backs are encountered and it is possible to demonstrate more efficient methods of construction of terraces on the exceedingly steep slopes, it is believed that this programme will be used extensively. 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 1953 1954 1953 1954 Beef Calf 18 15 7 45 13 5 1 5 15 1 3 6 4 20 20 13 11 55 14 6 2 1 4 20 1 5 1 6 3 17 222 191 64 719 170 62 57 149 12 35 47 45 148 209 Clothing 178 Dairv Calf 190 630 Grain ... — -. -- 169 83 Handicraft ~ _ . j - Honeybee ~ . Potato. . ._ Poultry Rural Electrification Sheep 55 12 45 202 12 48 Soils :.. Swine— „ 10 52 Tractor . Yearling Dairy 36 145 Totals 152 17Q I 199.1 I 2.073 -»'■—- In some areas the Department of Agriculture followed the policy of promoting community clubs in which there may be more than one project within the club. In these clubs it was asked that each different project have a maximum of four members enrolled in it. Each member within the club could have only one project. This arrangement made it possible for districts to participate in the 4-H Club programme where it was difficult to obtain the required eight members for a single-project club. The T. Eaton Agricultural Scholarship This was the fourth year that the T. Eaton Company has awarded this scholarship. The winning boy this year was the Ontario candidate. The British Columbia candidate was Ross Husdon, Mount Lehman. Eaton Watches This was the fourth year that the T. Eaton Company awarded gold watches to the high-scoring individuals in each project in the Provincial elimination competitions in DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Z 107 British Columbia. The 1954 winners were as follows: Beef—Verna McLeod, Kamloops; Clothing—Lois Smith, Chilliwack; Dairy—Kathleen Barichello, Langley; Garden—Don Ramsey, Armstrong; Grain—Eleanor Tiegs, North Pine; Poultry—Eileen Klebaum, Abbotsford; Swine—Dennis Lyster, Armstrong. Plllillilll Abbotsford Poultry Team—Eileen Klebaum and Paddy Conroy. Provincial Elimination Competitions The Provincial elimination competitions for four projects were, Jdd * «"j^ with the Pacific National Exhibition on Tuesday, August 24t^ ^.^^ garden eliminations were held in Armstrong, in conjunction with the Interior Exhibition, Tuesday, September 14th, 1954 Mi,Hnna, 4 H club Week this year, so a Garden There was no potato competition at National 4-H uuo wee* yu» y , Team was sent instead. It was possible to send a Grain Team this yean This teamcame from the Peace River and was the first team from that area to ^^^^^tfe Beef (four teams competing): Kamloops Beef Team-Verna McLeod and Katie Davidson. I rbilHwack Clothing Team—Lois Smith and Clothing (three teams competing): CnilliwacK uouuug Barbara Andrews. „ . jffl §1 ir„*i,w« Rarichello and Dairy (nine teams competing): Langley Dairy Team-Kathleen Bancnello Bruno Giacomazzi. Z 108 BRITISH COLUMBIA x 1 Langley Dairy Team—Bruno Giacomazzi and Kathleen Barichello. Armstrong Garden Team—Don Ramsey and John Duncan. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Z 109 Garden (two teams competing): Armstrong Garden Team—Don Ramsey and John Grain (two teams competing): North Pine Grain Team—Alvin Germain and Eleanor Tiegs. Poultry (two teams competing): Abbotsford Poultry Team—Paddy Conroy and Eileen Klebaum. Swine (two teams competing): Armstrong Swine Team—Dennis Lyster and Ber- neice McCallan. Chilliwack Clothing Team-Lois Smith and Barbara Andrews. Public Speaking Competitions There were no public speaking finals held this year, «^^^^^ indicated any interest in it. Therefore, in common consent ^^BntitiL C°1UmD Federation of Agriculture, it was agreed to cancel the contest for this year. National 4-H Club Week This Province was able, for the first time, to send ^G^^^^ to National 4-H Club Week, which is held at the time of the Royal Agncuitu Fair in Toronto, November 10th to 23rd, 1954. BRITISH COLUMBIA Z no There were 116 delegates registered. The nine cups were distributed among six « B3S The Swine Cup came to this Province for the first time in twenty-four years. p^'lt* of iudging competitions: Swine, first (five teams competing); Clothing, fifth Steams competing); Dairy, fifth (eight teams competing); Garden fifth (seven team competing); Poultry, fifth (seven teams competing); Beef, sixth (eight teams ,Ti Grain seventh (seven teams competing). C°m Barbara ^^^ was the British Columbia representative on the Junior Club »„;i f«r National 4-H Club Week. Council for National 4-H Club Week. Armstrong Swine Team—Berneice McCallan and Dennis Lyster. Four of the National delegates from British Columbia had brothers or sisters who had previously attended in the same capacity. Kathleen Barichello's brother Ralph was a member of the Dairy Team in 1942 and is now farming and leader of the cluD m Langley; Dennis Lyster's brother Ronald, a member of the Swine Team in iy 4*' now farming and leader of the club at Armstrong; Berneice McCallan's brother J was a member of the Swine Team in 1950; Lois Smith's sister Marie was a member the Clothing Team in 1952 and assistant leader of Clothing Club in Chilliwack. Provincial Council of 4-H Club Leaders On January 25th and 26th, 1954, a representative group of six 4-H Club 1™^TS®* in Victoria. This was the first meeting of the Provincial Council of 4-H Club Lea DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Z 111 The Province has been divided into seven areas for this purpose of selecting representatives for this Council, as follows: Peace River—Clarence Veiner, Dawson Creek; Central British Columbia—Fred Bartel, Quesnel; Kamloops—Clarence Bryson, Merritt;' Okanagan—Hilliard McCallan, Armstrong; East Kootenay—Mrs. Greta Marples, Invermere; Fraser Valley—Arnott Bailey, Chilliwack (Cornelius Froese substituted);' Vancouver Island—Pearl Standen, Duncan. The East Kootenay was the only district not represented at the first meeting. Officers are Hilliard McCallan, Armstrong, president, and Miss Echo Lidster, Supervisor of 4-H Clubs, secretary. Duties of the members of this Council are to help to co-ordinate 4-H Club activities in their own area and make recommendations Provincially as well. Kamloops Beef Team—Katie Davidson and Verna McLeod. Pullman Trip June 6th to 12th, 1954, were the dates of the Washington State 4-H Club camp at Pullman, Wash. This year British Columbia sent four delegates to this camp. Qualifications included record of club work and potential leadership abilities. Those selected were Miss Verna McLeod, Kamloops; Miss Marie Leidl, Prince George; Dick Field, Vernon; and Vernon Bostock, Bridesville. Ronald Tarves, District Agriculturist, Quesnel, accompanied the team. H ff Z 112 BRITISH COLUMBIA Christmas Fat Stock Show and Sale This show continues to be a 4-H Club show and sale. There were 170 head of 4-H Club members' steers shown, plus 20 additional head being shown by club members in the open singles, out of the 436 head of fat stock shown. In addition, there were 60 head of lambs shown by the three Lamb Clubs, making a total of 230 4-H Club and associate members present at the show. The champion of the show was owned by Jean Pringle, Westwold, and was bought by Super-Valu Stores, Vancouver, for $1.15 a pound. '•*•*•*• "•*****«*^X»XAX^«rAX"X«X<«X»X»X'X»X»X,Xi North Pine Grain Team—Eleanor Tiegs and Alvin Germain. Leaders' Certificates Ji^B 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: C. W. Bailey, Sardis, leader for five years; Walbert J. Leidl, Prince George, leader for five years; Dorothy Mercer, Mission City, leader for five years; R. B. Moulton, Cobble Hill, leader for six years; Fred Nichol, Monte Creek, leader for seven years; Walter Shepherd, Westwold, leader for five years; Neil Smith, Rock Creek, leader for six years; Mrs. Pearl Standen, Duncan, leader for five years; and Norman S. Wright, Steveston, leader for five years. I Additional Activities M During the year, travels included attending, as British Columbia director, the annual meeting of the Canadian Council on 4-H Clubs, which was held in Edmonton, Alta., in March. All points where clubs are organized in the Province were visited, with the exception of the East Kootenay and North Vancouver Island. Jf Leadership training courses of one day each were held in Kamloops, Armstrong, Abbotsford, Quesnel, and Fort St. John in March. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Z 113 SS&SSM^^S^SKKHHSWH-H First British Columbia delegation to Washington State 4-H Club camp, headed by A. R. Tarves, District Agriculturist, Quesnel. Marie Leidl, Prince George; Verna McLeod, Kamloops; Dick Field, Vernon; and Vernon Bos- tock, Bridesville, being greeted by State 4-H Club Agent Charles Meenoch. Eaton Agricultural Scholarship candidate—Ross Husdon, Mount Lehman. Z 114 BRITISH COLUMBIA During November, along with J. S. Allin, Supervising Agriculturist, Victoria, I accom panied the teams attending National 4-H Club Week, where part of my duties included acting as counsellor to the Junior Council of ten members. For the second year, also, duties have included acting as chairman of the National Committee on 4-H Club Leadership. LAND-CLEARING OPERATIONS If The following table is a summary of the land-clearing operations by districts for the year 1954:— District Acreage Value Vancouver Island WiUiams Lake Salmon Arm and Kamloops— East Kootenay Prince George (ten contracts)- Cleared Broken McBride (seventeen contracts) Vernon1 Grand Forks1 716*4 692 200 150 289 394 $48,684.10 20,315.44 14,037.25 3,400.00 8,653.60 7,623.00 Value per Acre $68.00 29.82 31.49 35.45 1 Not available. G. L. Calver reports on land-clearing projects as follows:— "A Rome disk plough was tried as a replacement of the mould-board plough for breaking newly cleared land. This trial indicated the disk plough was more effective for most tillage operations; furthermore, it was indicated repair costs would be low—limited almost entirely to disk replacement due to wear. " Farmer acceptance of the work done has been very high, actually favouring the disking as compared to the work done previously with the mould-board breaker plough. | Equipment was borrowed from the Public Works Department to carry out a trial of rotary-tillage equipment for breaking land. Results of this test indicate the equipment may have some merit from the viewpoint of seed-bed preparation. However, the nature of the work done does not lead us to be too hopeful of its value for the purpose in mind. Costs are likely to be high due to a short annual period of usefulness, high repair costs, and excessive down time. | Some trial work was also carried out with a new clearing-blade and a rear-mounted stumper. More trials are still necessary to find methods to reduce the cost of clearing operations." Summary of Work Reported by Districts ||| B Vancouver Island had 716V6 acres cleared at a total cost of $48,684.10 or an average of $68 per acre. m Williams Lake district had clearing done on forty-five farms for a total of 692 acres at an average cost of $29.82 per acre. ft Salmon Arm and Kamloops district report thirty-one farms with approximately 200 acres cleared at a total cost of $14,037.25. East Kootenay reports clearing done on four farms for a total of $1,400 and additional work of approximately $2,000. About 150 acres were involved. Prince George reports show ten contracts completed for a total of $8,653.60. The average cost, including cutting, piling, double disking, and repiling, was $31.49 per acre; 289 acres were cleared and 394 acres broken. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Z 115 At McBride seventeen contracts for $7,623 were completed, with an average cost of $35.45 per acre, i Detailed reports are not available for Vernon and Grand Forks districts. FEDERAL-PROVINCIAL FARM LABOUR SERVICE During January, February, and March there was little demand for farm labour, except for a few requests for experienced dairy-workers. During March and April some requests were received for sheep herders and handlers and for dairy-farm workers. j The joint programme suffered a severe loss in the death at a comparatively early age of W. L. Forrester, Supervisor of General Placements, Unemployment Insurance Commission, who was for several years closely associated with the work of the Farm Labour Committee. Ben White, during the rest of the season, acted as liaison officer between our two departments. Weather conditions during the year were most trying from a labour standpoint, but the supply was ample at practically all times. Great credit is due to the placement officers for effective handling of difficult situations. Seasonal demands were received for berry-pickers, apple thinners and pickers in the Okanagan, cannery-workers, and other groups, and were met without too much difficulty. Throughout the entire season a close liaison was maintained with the National Employment Service. The effective co-operation which prevailed in past years was evident again this year, and reports indicate no crop-losses were experienced due to lack of labour. National Employment Service undertook recruiting and placement in the Vancouver area. In future the Province will gradually relinquish operation of all offices possible to the Federal agency, retaining only an advisory role in the general plan. B.C. BUILDING AT PACIFIC NATIONAL EXHIBITION The Department of Agriculture was also associated with other departments of Government this year in the agriculture exhibit in the British Columbia Building. This required considerable time of a committee under the chairmanship of your Director. This exhibit is open to the public all year and will be of great educational value. Arrangements have been made by the Pacific National Exhibition with the Vancouver School Board for all Grade VIII classes to visit the building. AGRICULTURAL MAP OF BRITISH COLUMBIA The Extension Branch, with other divisions of the Department of Agriculture, co-operated with the Statistics Branch of the Department of Trade and Industry in the preparation of the first agricultural map of the Province. CONCLUSION The Extension Branch co-operated with J. W. Wilson, of the Lower Mainland Regional Planning Board, in his preparation of the report entitled " The Capital Region Takes Stock," in so far as the agriculture was concerned. The Extension Branch also co-operated with municipal, Federal, and Provincial authorities in matters pertaining to the agricultural development of 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 members of the staffs of Canada Department of Agriculture, University of British Columbia, "Veterans' Land Act" administration, Washington State Extension staff, and other agencies for the co-operation received during the year. Z 116 BRITISH COLUMBIA APPENDICES APPENDIX No. 1 Plants Manufacturing, Processing, and Acme Dairy Ltd., 130 West Hastings Street, Vancouver 3. . . Armstrong Cheese Co-operative Association, Armstrong. Arrow Lakes Co-operative Dairy Association, Edgewood. Arrowsmith Farms (Nicholson Ltd.), Hilliers. Avalon Dairy Ltd., 5805 Wales Road, Vancouver 16. Baby's Own Dairy (H. Armishaw), 600 Albert Street, Nanaimo. Blue Ribbon Dairy Ltd., 661 Main Street, Mission City. Brooksbank Farms Ltd., 804 River Road, Lulu Island, Vancouver. Bulkley Valley Creamery (Paulsen & Kinney), Telkwa. Cariboo Farmers' Co-operative Association, Box 19, Quesnel. Central Creameries (B.C.) Ltd., 325 Railway Street, Vancouver 4. Chilliwack Dairy Ltd., Box 274, Chilliwack. City Dairy Farm (Barrett & Morrison), Cranbrook. Comox Co-operative Creamery Association, 280 Sixth Street, Courtenay. 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 (J. C. Mulvey), 2000 East Hastings Street, Vancouver 6. DeClark's Dairy (A. and J. DeClark), Ladysmith. Diamond Dairy (H. H. Trerise), 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. Dyffryn Dairy (P. C. Inglis), Lumby. Edgewater Dairy (D. A. Bowers), Edgewater. Egeskov Cheese Factory (Kaj E. Andersen), Creston. Enterprise Dairy (W. Pighin), Box 379, Kim- berley. Fernie Dairy (S. Barrett), 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. Distributing Dairy Products during 1954 Fraser Valley Milk Producers' Association, Abbotsford. Glenburn Dairy Ltd., 3695 East Hastings Street Vancouver 6. ' Guernsey Breeders' Dairy Ltd., 2405 West Broadway, Vancouver 9. 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 Co-operative Association, 608 Broughton Street, Victoria. 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. Kamloops United Dairies Ltd., 156 Victoria Street, Kamloops. Kelowna Creamery Ltd., 1474 Pendozi Street, Kelowna. Kootenay Valley Co-operative Milk Products Association, 609 Railway Street, Nelson. Lewis & Sons' Dairy (E. R. Lewis), Box 162, Powell River. Little Mountain Dairy (Carncross & Thompson), Box 396, Abbotsford. Maple Ridge Dairy (Herbert Vogel), Main Street, Mission. Medo-land Farm Dairy Ltd., Port Coquitlam. Modern Dairy (D. M. Macaulay and R. H. Du- charme), Box 70, Marysville. Modern Dairy (K. Sharpies), Castlegar. Morrison-Knudsen Co. of Canada Ltd., Kemano. Nanaimo Dairy Co. Ltd., 535 Franklyn Street. Nanaimo. National Dairies Ltd., 1132 East Hastings Street, Vancouver 6. Nechako Valley Dairy Ltd., Vanderhoof. Northern Alberta Dairy Pool Ltd., Dawson Creek. Northern Dairies Ltd., Prince George. Northland Dairy Ltd., 401 Third Avenue, Prince Rupert. North Squamish Dairy (Lloyd Goodale), Squam- ish. 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, 1954 Z 117 APPENDIX No. 1—Continued Plants Manufacturing, Processing, and Distributing Dairy Products during 1954- Continued Palm Dairies Ltd., 930 North Park Street, Victoria. Peerless Dairy (John Lancaster), Box 456, Cranbrook. Penticton Dairy and Ice Cream Co. Ltd., 67 Front Street, Penticton. Peter's Ice Cream Co. Ltd., 3204 West Broadway, Vancouver 8. Pinelawn Dairy (Mrs. Dulcie Hamilton), R.R. 1, Comox. Primrose Dairy (L. R. Singlehurst), Box 353, Williams Lake. Princeton Dairy (Sidney D. Atkinson), Box 286, Princeton. 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), Saanichton P.O. Standard Dairy (Mrs. D. McKinnon), Revelstoke. Stanhope Dairy Farm (R. Rendle), 3578 Richmond Avenue, Victoria. Sunny Brae Dairy Ltd., Queen's Road, Duncan. Sunnybrook Dairy (Hay Bros.), 1598 South-east Marine Drive, Vancouver 15. Sunshine Valley Dairy Ltd., Box 74, Grand Forks. Surrey Dairy (Mrs. F. R. Lipsey), 200 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, Ross- land. Valley Dairy (Armstrong Cheese Co-operative Association, 64 Nanaimo Avenue, Penticton. Willow Dairy (H. G. Pemberton), Parksville. Wood's Dairy (J. P. Wood), Creston. Z 118 BRITISH COLUMBIA APPENDIX No. 2 Inspected Slaughterings of Live Stock, December 1st, 1953, to November 30th, 1954 Date British Columbia December 5 December 12 December 19 December 28 to 31. January 9 January 16 January 23 January 30 February 6 February 13 February 20 February 27 March 6 March 13 March 20 March 27 April 3 April 10 April 17 April 24 May 1 May 8 May 15 May 22 May 29 June 5 June 12 June 19 June 26 July 3 July 10 July 17 July 24 July 31 August 7 August 14 August 21 August 28 September 4 September 11 September 18 September 25 October 2 October 9 October 16 October 23 October 30 November 6 November 13 November 20 November 27 Cattle Calves Hogs Sheep Alberta Cattle Calves Hogs Sheep Totals for Canada Cattle Calves 2,167 2,130 1,450 1,795 2,389 2,550 2,689 2,596 2,007 2,231 2,192 2,198 2,434 2,197 2,256 2,332 2,293 2,409 1,893 2,452 2,040 2,061 2,347 2,166 1,886 2,450 2,374 2,275 2,060 1,788 2,091 2,353 2,065 2,122 2,041 1,952 2,278 2,317 2,430 2,054 2,715 2,245 2,286 2,125 2,202 2,732 2,123 2,600 2,129 2,489 2,346 653 396 249 144 656 500 261 269 489 357 325 361 279 249 223 374 338 270 324 269 349 518 370 287 337 463 379 505 482 449 446 402 540 346 383 443 372 342 581 447 556 496 465 588 358 336 895 687 664 681 612 8,417 6,809 6,875 3,753 6,830 6,388 5,317 4,625 6,972 5,967 4,794 5,654 5,713 5,424 6,315 6,105 5,943 5,705 4,997 5,740 6,976 6,817 5,904 5,808 6,021 5,615 4,713 6,209 5,729 5,114 4,021 5,568 5,298 5,183 5,252 4,774 5,399 4,840 4,785 5,364 5,973 6,619 6,866 7,167 5,024 5,891 8,338 8,393 7,150 8,485 9,456 1,534 992 1,409 895 1,220 1,832 1,826 1,220 1,846 1,905 1,444 1,195 1,127 1,577 1,543 1,356 1,030 1,333 1,682 894 1,037 1,367 694 657 527 17 418 363 1,020 223 1,092 480 901 847 675 1,256 1,448 1,927 1,176 1,408 1,715 2,129 1,509 2,466 1,452 1,729 2,342 1,096 1,485 1,604 1,715 4,911 4,296 2,773 3,897 5,131 5,739 5,486 4,961 4,960 4,483 4,848 4,906 4,883 4,713 3,990 4,920 5,077 4,991 3,843 4,479 4,577 4,768 5,068 4,880 4,063 5,648 5,141 4,911 4,559 4,477 5,495 5,698 5,650 4,562 4,183 5,011 5,529 4,787 4,733 4,446 6,062 6,009 4,927 5,944 4,659 5,643 5,705 5,704 5,343 5,939 6,078 1,471 1,251 886 470 1,296 1,523 702 984 1,554 847 957 1,179 919 1,178 1,109 1,222 1,201 1,169 1,008 1,029 1,414 1,399 938 1,399 961 1,148 1,188 1,830 1,508 1,057 1,451 1,445 1,674 1,460 1,322 1,580 1,529 1,207 1,795 1,817 2,031 1,816 1,647 2,339 1,030 1,511 2,055 1,944 2,042 1,849 1,991 26,115 26,278 27,361 14,779 27,466 24,638 14,295 20,207 25,301 18,581 20,709 20,865 18,822 21,109 21,117 21,296 18,599 19,960 16,924 21,071 24,957 22,742 18,975 24,890 20,700 22,543 16,777 20,646 20,900 16,643 18,141 15,497 16,808 13,458 12,784 13,258 13,324 12,908 16,218 14,047 15,679 17,282 17,931 19,223 13,981 17,430 26,475 25,192 25,342 31,017 33,576 1,739 1,157 1,102 637 849 1,494 818 622 1,725 1,436 776 1,067 933 951 599 1,033 598 970 1,020 550 591 763 866 594 392 189 159 325 282 386 605 789 551 1,280 1,166 762 1,045 1,050 1,337 1,060 1,264 1,499 1,365 1,665 1,702 1,401 1,646 2,069 1,746 1,742 1,834 33,146 29,372 23,475 23,703 32,639 35,726 33,818 30,683 29,509 28,654 28,090 30,452 28,920 28,111 26,726 30,148 32,234 31,822 25,272 29,286 30,124 31,932 33,342 33,321 28,157 33,731 31,697 29,124 27,791 25,851 32,719 34,511 31,461 29,038 24,899 31,127 34,943 32,230 31,470 28,306 37,810 36,348 31,653 33,107 28,903 36,748 36,993 38,751 36,035 37,976 37,858 12,934 12,334 10,433 5,990 10,610 11,339 9,931 10,024 10,372 10,012 9,106 12,396 11,246 15,657 18,127 21,004 24,553 24,511 24,273 23,905 27,316 23,756 25,478 23,816 20,632 20,836 17,586 18,011 17,082 15,155 16,988 16,639 16,832 15,841 12,809 13,230 14,336 13,933 14,685 13,961 16,835 16,643 13,656 14,885 11,775 14,841 15,858 16,774 14,872 15,127 13,956 Hogs 105,111 102,375 106,030 62,768 95,600 97,959 75,684 81,378 95,273 90,378 80,568 91,210 76,067 95,711 90,379 93,985 87,754 85,254 81,642 93,742 102,953 97,195 84,142 88,220 81,194 88,471 72,957 83,688 81,579 67,413 71,968 67,722 72,131 72,781 71,480 70,141 67,309 72,208 77,575 79,297 90,716 90,537 95,724 104,024 87,965 94,297 112,560 112,447 109,124 126,664 128,141 Sheep 14,593 10,360 11,320 4,881 6,514 10,131 8,634 6,490 8,017 7,593 5,867 5,453 64,625 5,653 5,519 5,451 4,783 5,046 5,640 4,131 3,934 3,770 2,998 2,469 2,126 2,048 2,494 2,775 4,387 3,650 6,979 7,344 8,892 11,894 11,054 11,928 14,099 16,022 18,584 17,184 21,867 22,715 20,574 20,800 18,980 26,929 30,720 26,183 28,395 20,254 17,243 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Z 119 APPENDIX No. 3 Beef Carcasses Graded in British Columbia, December 1st, 1953, to November 30th 1954 Date Total Kill B Di December 5 December 12 December 19 December 28 to 31 January 1 to 9 January 16 January 23 January 30 February 6 February 13 February 20 February 27 March 6 March 13 March 20 March 27 April 3 April 10 April 17 April 24 May 1 May 8 May 15 May 22 May 29 June 5 June 12 June 19 June 26 July 3 July 10 July 17 July 24 July 31 August 7 August 14 August 21 August 28 September 4 September 11.. September 18 September 25 October 2 October 9 October 16 October 23 October 30 November 6 November 13 November 20 November 27 2,167 2,130 1,450 1,795 2,389 2,550 2,689 2,596 2,007 2,231 2,192 2,198 2,434 2,197 2,256 2,332 2,293 2,409 1,893 2,452 2,040 2,061 2,347 2,166 1,886 2,450 2,374 2,275 2,060 1,788 2,091 2,353 2,065 2,122 2,041 1,940 2,290 2,317 2,430 2,054 2,715 2,245 2,286 2,125 2,202 2,732 2,123 2,618 2,111 2,489 2,346 D2 D3 M 671 687 417 785 1,156 987 1,091 1,045 636 829 976 972 1,103 999 947 1,001 897 1,026 791 1,033 949 923 896 848 816 1,104 1,153 1,002 869 860 916 1,146 932 914 980 874 1,039 1,011 877 754 892 764 712 747 703 864 817 801 668 834 667 365 449 237 387 436 537 472 497 419 387 395 339 416 335 482 413 450 527 390 451 427 409 472 381 328 467 404 398 315 319 352 344 244 297 302 306 368 378 517 382 489 401 386 348 429 426 383 439 282 394 393 438 484 307 335 362 426 494 577 441 393 327 383 367 355 347 416 429 412 329 411 313 344 419 390 276 411 300 330 300 226 314 378 311 307 332 313 402 424 436 390 584 442 459 320 428 595 315 490 423 447 494 120 69 69 42 79 73 71 105 56 95 55 94 82 76 56 92 71 86 36 106 51 68 89 106 65 82 76 92 106 42 70 90 106 88 73 47 62 78 79 70 93 60 61 83 63 115 53 79 61 85 72 194 110 106 122 158 144 306 158 180 167 155 162 172 175 148 129 165 101 109 153 58 98 135 117 64 62 84 122 107 84 113 63 167 177 133 91 137 132 185 99 209 178 182 133 93 240 189 211 206 230 192 54 47 38 19 42 . 55 53 49 57 64 39 46 41 46 43 37 36 57 42 45 46 42 53 46 62 92 63 72 79 62 66 46 71 55 34 30 32 60 59 46 70 46 67 64 68 71 76 141 78 94 86 196 176 151 48 119 202 110 99 99 156 180 149 181 131 153 121 154 134 125 150 129 109 188 164 167 143 192 166 139 69 149 130 121 155 98 161 147 143 148 185 194 213 269 293 279 282 230 337 323 280 340 129 108 125 57 37 126 92 66 119 140 65 53 72 80 80 123 91 66 71 103 67 68 95 114 108 89 102 93 145 126 111 156 113 129 89 118 103 91 129 128 184 141 150 137 139 139 60 120 70 125 102 Z 120 BRITISH COLUMBIA APPENDIX No. 4 Average Prices for Cattle, December 1st, 1953, to November 30th, 1954 Date December 5 December 12 December 19 December 28 to 31 January 9 January 16 January 23 January 30 February 6 February 13 February 20 February 27 March 6 March 13 March 20 March 27 April 3 April 10 April 17 April 24 May 1 May 8 May 15 May 22 May 29 Vancouver Good Steers $18.00 18.00 18.00 18.13 17.50 17.50 17.50 17.50 18.00 17.00 17.00 17.50 17.50 17.50 17.50 18.60 18.18 19.00 19.00 Veal Calves $17.75 17.50 18.00 17.50 20.75 19.00 22.00 22.00 20.00 22.00 19.50 19.75 22.00 23.25 21.00 20.70 Calgary Good Steers $17.02 17.12 16.66 17.57 17.06 17.48 17.60 17.41 16.35 16.57 16.70 16.85 16.85 16.23 16.25 16.85 16.75 17.03 17.32 17.61 17.61 17.86 18.38 18.45 19,07 Veal Calves Date $15.80 16.36 16.05 18.03 19.54 22.34 23.73 23.90 24.31 23.79 22.23 22.92 23.21 24.88 23.89 22.92 22.81 23.83 24.63 23.83 21.83 22.64 21.55 20.88 21.05 Vancouver Good Steers June 5 June 12 June 19 June 26 July 3 July 10 July 17 July 24 July 31 August 7 August 14 August 21 August 28 September 4.. September 11 September 18 September 25 October 2 October 9 October 16 October 23 October 30 November 6.. November 13 November 20 November 27 $19.00 19.13 18.75 18.80 17.63 17.50 17.25 18.05 19.15 18.68 21.18 19.63 20.00 19.50 18.90 19.00 19.00 19.00 20.00 20.00 19.75 19.30 Veal Calves $21.75 19.68 22.18 20.50 19.00 20.00 18.50 20.25 18.10 18.75 18.00 17.68 18.50 19.70 18.50 16.75 18.00 17.00 17.00 17.00 18.00 18.40 17.50 15.00 15.00 Calgary Good Steers $19.12 18.65 17.97 18.73 19.35 20.00 20.21 20.37 20.09 20.10 20.01 20.38 20.40 20.42 19.66 19.31 19.51 18.86 19.10 19.05 19.08 18.71 18.92 19.59 19.45 Veal Calves $20.91 25.08 22.18 21.56 21.47 22.55 20.25 19.90 19.75 19.98 19.05 18.81 18.71 17.94 17.21 15.99 15.52 14.18 14.80 14.84 14.29 14.66 14.10 13.98 13.39 APPENDIX No. 5 Provincial Bull Sale and Fat Stock Show, Kamloops, March 9th to 11th, 1954 Number and Kind Highest Price per Cwt. Lowest Price per Cwt. 1954 Average 1953 Average Car-lots of 15 steers Groups of 5 steers Spares Open singles and boys' and girls' classes $23.00 24.50 27.50 85.00 $17.10 17.50 17.50 18.25 $19.70 19.87 19.76 23.06 $20.26 20.90 19.27 24.31 Christmas Fat Stock Show and Sale, Kamloops, December 2nd, 1954 Kind Head Highest Price per Cwt. Lowest Price per Cwt. Average Price per Cwt., 1954 Average Price per Cwt., 1953 Total Weight Car-lots Groups of 5 cattle Spares Open singles and boys' and girls' entries (cattle) Groups of 5 lambs . Open singles and boys' and girls' entries (lambs) Totals 105 90 8 233 25 58 $25.00 25.00 23.25 115.00 24.00 80.00 $20.25 19.00 18.00 16.50 22.00 20.00 $22.39 22.29 21.10 25.27 23.05 25.42 519 $21.12 20.43 19.75 23.09 44.40 98,351 82,660 7,743 213,305 2,270 4,975 409,304 1 Plus Lot 380 donated to Salvation Army for resale, $333.95, making a grand total of $98,396.35. 1953 1954 Head Total fat stock 436 Total lambs 83 Total Price $21,980.34 18,466.98 1,656.85 54,159.73 « 523.33 __1I275117__ 19^06140T Value $96,597.85 1,798.50 Total sale 519 $98,396.35 Average price of qualified stock per hundredweight, $22.76. Head Total fat stock 303 Total lambs 49 Value $64,728.47 1,472.19 Total sale 352 $66,200.66 Average price of qualified stock per hundredweight, $21.10. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Z 121 APPENDIX No. 6 Provincial Dairy Herd Improvement Associations Dairy-herd Improvement Association Chilliwack- Route 1- Route 2- Route 3- Route 4. Comox Valley- Co wichan Delta- Route 1. Route 2 Dewdney-Deroche. Langley (Route 1) Matsqui— Route 1 Route 2 Salmon Arm-North Okanagan—. Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge and Richmond (Route 2) Richmond (Route 1) Sumas— Route 1 : Route 2 Surrey (Route 1) Surrey (Route 2) and Langley (Route 2) Vancouver Island— Centre . South Secretary H. C. Clark, 214 Spadina Ave., Chilliwack. Ditto D. T. Jones, R.R. 2, Courtenay M. Hansen, P.O. Box 14, Cobble Hill. A. W. Mitchell, Crescent Island, R.R. 1, New Westminster Ditto A. McDonald, Agassiz H. L. Davis, Box 103, Milner James Green, R.R. 1,Mount Lehman... Ditto J. H. Thompson, R.R. 1, Salmon Arm- Gordon Park, Pitt Meadows G. P. Crosby, 8483 Wiltshire St., Vancouver 14 J. E. Dayton, R.R. 2, Abbotsford Ditto R. J. Livingston, 7051 Pacific Highway, R.R. 4, Cloverdale Ditto T. C. Tryon, R.R. 1, Parksville John Pendray, 4160 Blenkinsop Road, R.R. 4, Victoria Supervisor J. R. Hannam, 236 Corbould St., Chilliwack. Fred Wiffen, 295 Maple Ave., Sardis. H. Bylsma, 159 Chilliwack Central Road, R.R. 1, Chilliwack. R. E. Chapman, 268 Trans-Canada Highway East, R.R. 2, Chilliwack. H. de Blieck, Box 991, Courtenay. D. R. O'Brien, Maple Bay Road, R.M.D. 1, Duncan. L. Craig MacNair, Box 76, Ladner. G. H. Bailey, Ladner. A. H. Maddocks, c/o C. G. Lancaster, Matsqui. Arne Colly, 7105 Latimer Road, R.R. 3, Cloverdale. V. A. Gill, R.R. 1, Matsqui. Phil Harvey, Mount Lehman. Pat Hibbert, Box 91, Salmon Arm. R. MacGregor, Box 454, Pitt Meadows D. S. Heelas, 1657 West Fifty-ninth Ave., Vancouver. C. S. Lillies, Box 392, Abbotsford. Brian Hall, No. 5 Road, R.R. 4, Abbotsford. S. Baehr, Port Kells. M. Shymkowich, R.R. 7, Langley Prairie. W. T. Calbick, 516 Churchill Ave., Nanaimo. T. G. M. Clarke, 3449 Cook St., Victoria. Ayrshire Guernsey— Holstein Jersey APPENDIX No. 7 Breed Averages for 1953 Unclassified (cross-breds, etc.). Percentage of Total 3.6 20.8 41.5 23.8 10.3 Milk Lb. 8,567 8,382 11,403 7,738 8,856 Fat Per Cent 4.07 4.75 3.66 5.05 4.43 Lb. 349 398 417 391 392 Z 122 BRITISH COLUMBIA APPENDIX No. 8 Average Prices for Lambs, December 1st, 1953, to November 30th, 1954 Date Vancouver December 5 December 12 December 19 December 28 to 31 January 9 January 16 January 23 January 30 February 6 February 13 February 20 February 27 March 6 March 13 March 20. March 27 April 3 April 10 April 17 April 24 May 1 May 8 I May 15 May 22 May 29 June 5 $22.50 19.25 22.50 21.93 20.50 21.50 21.00 Calgary Date $19.49 19.63 19.36 19.34 19.18 19.41 19.50 19.88 20.43 20.81 20.43 19.18 18.83 18.45 18.75 19.18 19.29 21.01 20.81 20.85 21.19 21.63 21.05 20.86 Vancouver June 12 June 19 June 26 July 3 July 10 July 17 July 24 July 31 August 7 August 14 August 21 August 28 September 4.. September 11 September 18 September 25 October 2 October 9 October 16 October 23 October 30 November 6~. November 13. November 20. November 27 $26.00 24.18 22.50 23.50 22.00 22.50 22.25 20.00 20.00 19.50 19.35 18.25 21.00 20.50 19.85 20.00 18.25 19.00 Calgary $20.00 22.25 19.49 22.75 24.80 24.71 22.83 20.69 Hi 18.91 18.60 18.55 18.45 18.12 17.91 17.70 17.92 17.73 17.63 16.83 16.91 16.74 16.87 17.00 APPENDIX No. 9 Average Prices for Hogs, December 1st, 1953, to November 30th, 1954 Date Vancouver Calgary Date Vancouver Calgary December 5 December 12 December 19 December 28 to 31. January 9 January 16 January 23 January 30 February 6 February 13 February 20 February 27 March 6 March 13 March 20 March 27 I April 3 April 10 April 17 April 24 May 1 May 8 May 15 May 22 May 29 June 5 $30.50 34.00 33.62 36.35 34.75 33.35 36.40 35.65 35.40 35.40 $28.60 29.60 30.95 31.70 32.00 32.75 33.45 33.30 31.80 33.20 33.80 34.35 33.60 33.65 32.88 34.35 32.45 32.95 33.10 34.42 34.10 33.95 33.31 34.00 33.56 34.00 June 12 June 19 June 26 July 3 July 10 July 17 July 24 July 31 August 7 August 14. August 21 August 28 September 4.. September 11 September 18 September 25 October 2 October 9 October 16. October 23 October 30—. November 6... November 13. November 20. November 27 $35.40 31.15 31.15 29.90 27.65 27.15 29.27 24.40 25.40 22.65 25.65 $33.75 31.41 29.70 29.06 28.50 28.55 28.40 27.55 25.81 26.46 27.30 26.37 23.87 23.60 23.00 22.79 21.00 21.06 23.25 22.80 20.87 22.30 23.60 23.60 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 APPENDIX No. 10 Dairy Herds and Premises Inspected and Graded under the "Milk Apt" from December 1st, 1953, to November 30th, 1954 Z 123 District Number of Premises Visited Total Cattle Total Cows Grade of Premises A B C U U-Pi Cariboo Coast Kamloops 8 35 8 44 207 1,126 425 774 138 647 68 356 3 4 1 5 27 3 24 1 15 1 2 4 Lillooet Quesnel 1 3 Totals 95 2,532 1,209 8 59 16 7 4 Central British Columbia Fort Fraser 4 14 31 581 17 269 390 1 11 3 5 8 7 1 1 Fort George Prince Rupert _ Smithers 19 548 Totals 37 1,160 676 12 16 7 2 Fraser Valley Chilliwack Coquitlam 160 26 33 2 4 4,070 543 1,695 39 182 2,537 288 957 25 122 2 1 149 14 33 2 2 2 19 10 41 2 1 33 315 81 3 11 1 1 2 1 8 Delta 1 Dewdney Greater Vancouver Hope . 2 Kent... 2 19 11 42 69 785 306 1,036 49 453 207 681 Langley.. Manle Ridee Matsqui Mission — — Nicomen 2 1 33 330 83 60 44 788 10,080 1,540 47 29 546 5,730 1,054 Pitt Meadows . Richmond — Sumas — 12 1 Surrey Totals 748 21,237 12,725 3 704 3 16 24 Greater Okanagan Osoyoos Shuswap 220 40 30 4,643 980 823 2,746 534 483 7 4 3 204 33 25 1 1 3 7 Similkameen i Totals 290 6,446 3,763 14 262 1 4 o Kootenay Cranbrook 4 22 17 9 51 248 580 267 410 1,446 167 151 153 63 752 1 3 7 4 2 4 1 32 3 1 7 3 5 1 4 Fernie 13 Golden . Kaslo 6 4 Nelson 6 Totals 103 2,951 1,286 11 43 11 13 29 Northern British Columbia Atlin ...... | _ ...... | Peace River Telegraph Creek Totals Vancouver Island Alberni | Comox Cowichan 1 19 53 120 68 17 101 596 1,317 3,162 1,828 654 2,908 334 737 1,721 1,060 317 1,755 9 8 36 13 7 53 9 9 8 35 61 29 10 38 13 11 1 2 9 23 Nanaimo Newcastle.. Saanich Sayward 26 10 Sidney-Gulf Islands 22 29 634 449 341 244 Sobke-Metchosin 9 West Coast Totals 1 429 11,548 6,509 144 205 1 79 Grand totals 1,702 J 45,874 26,168 192 1,289 1 38 43 145 1 Premises ungraded where milk is used for private purposes only. Z 124 BRITISH COLUMBIA APPENDIX No. 11 Calfhood Vaccinations in Disease-free Areas Area No. and Area 1. Inonoaklin 2. Nicola 3. Cherryville 4. Alkali Lake-Dog Creek 5. Greater Horsefly 6. Savona 7. Nehalliston 8. South-west Kootenay— 9. Princeton 10. Powell River 11. Burton 12. Squamish 13. Gulf Islands 14. Saltspring Island 15. North-west Kootenay.... 16. Southern Interior 17. Pemberton 18. Cariboo 19. McBride . 20. East Kootenay 21. Vancouver Island 22. Kamloops Non-area Totals APPENDIX No. 12 List of Licensees Stock-dealers Abbott, W. J. (Abbott & Co.), 436 Sixth Street, New Westminster. Adcock, J. F., R.R. 3, Vernon. Arnold, Ralph G. (Pete), Box 938, Salmon Arm. Baird & Co. Ltd. (nominees, T. H. Baird and A. E. McClary), foot of Fraser Street, Vancouver 15. Baird, J. K., c/o Baird &Co., Vancouver. Baker, H, & Son (nominees, Horace Baker and Herbert Baker), 515 East Tenth Avenue, Vancouver. Baker, Roger, Loon Lake, Clinton. Barry, D. T., 9526 Wilson Road, R.R. 7, New Westminster. Boulton, Eric D., Gabriola. Bulman, Jos. O., Claresholm, Alta. B.C. Live Stock Producers' Co-operative Association (nominees, J. F. Guichon and R. Y. Devick), Drawer 420, Kamloops. B.C. Live Stock Producers' Co-operative Association (nominees, R. Hill, Lumby, and K. R. Chowen, Vancouver), foot of Fraser Street, Vancouver 15. Brisbin, J. H. (see Seed & Pitts). Bryde, Henry, 1492 Duncan Road, R.R. 11, New Westminster. Bryde, J. H. (see Slomen & Bryde) Busch, Wm. E., Ta Ta Creek. Butterworth, Ernest, 471 Victoria Street, Kamloops. Butterworth, Fred, Box 437, Kamloops. Cameron, O. W., Pincher Creek, Alta. Campbell, E. D., 141 Third Avenue, Kamloops. Cariboo Cattlemen's Association (nominees, E. C. Leavitt and C. (Slim) Dorin), Williams Lake. Carson, E. W., 1590 Howes Road, R.R. 1, Alder- grove. Central Department Store Ltd. (nominees, P. Prestwich and R. C. Pomeroy), Fort St. John. Chung, Henry Y., 350 Island Highway, Victoria. Circle "S" Cattle Co. Ltd. (nominees Miss B. E. Spencer and V. Spencer), Marine Building, 355 Burrard Street, Vancouver, and Dog Creek. Creasey, C. R., Vanderhoof. Currie, Jas. Douglas, Princeton. Davidoff (Sr.), N. N., Pincher Creek, Alta. Davidson, C. E., County Line P.O. Dawson Creek Co-operative Shipping Association (nominees, E. Wilson and M. McQueen), Box 2170, Dawson Creek. De Leenheer, Jos. U., R.R. 3, Vernon. Diamond "S" Ranch Ltd. (nominees, V. Spencer and C. B. Erickson), Marine Building, 355 Burrard Street, Vancouver, and Lytton. Doney, Albert, Mount Newton Cross-road, Saan- ichton P.O. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Z 125 APPENDIX No. \2—Continued List of Licensees—Continued Stock-dealers—Continued Doney, O. T., Cowichan Station, V.I. Duncan, George, Box 404, New Denver. Eales, Reginald, 1036 Twentieth Avenue, Calgary, Alta. Estrin, Harry, 1825 West Fourteenth Avenue, Vancouver. Edwards, L. G., R.R. 4, Vernon. Evans, Frank, Box 177, Armstrong. Fainstein, Harry, 6064 Cambie Street, Vancouver. Fitzpatrick, Edward F., Buffalo Creek. Flock, Ben, Route 1, Box 51, Oroville, Wash. Frolek, Chas., Box 188, Kamloops. Frost Auctions Ltd. (nominees, Gowing Frost and Stacy G. Frost), Langley. Fisher, Milton D., Glen Lake, V.I. Furgason, A. W., General Delivery, Abbotsford. Gallagher, H. H., Spences Bridge. Gibson, J. and J. B. (trading under the name of Gibson's), Langley. Green, J. H., Box 275, Salmon Arm. Haines, A. E., R.R. 1, Abbotsford. Haslam, John A., R.R. 2, Nanaimo. Hassen, Mat, & Sons (nominees, Mat Hassen and Mat S. Hassen), Armstrong. Hay Bros, (nominees, K. A. Hay and Wm. A. Hay), 1598 South-east Marine Drive, Vancouver. Hogg, Geo. M., Lakes Road, Duncan, V.I. Hogg, R., Agassiz. Holmes, Harold, R.R. 3, Nanaimo. Hopkins (Jr.), Wm. O., Salmon Arm. Hook, Reg, R.R. 1, Kamloops. Horton, Richard L., and Frayn, C. (carrying on business under the firm-name of Vancouver Dairy Cattle Sales & Exchange), 1753 Westminster Highway, Lulu Island. Hoy, Foster, 545 Johnston Road, R.R. 14, New Westminster. Hubbard, H. W., 1242 Cordova Bay Road, Victoria. Hunt, S. E. (Hunt's Auction Marts), 3100 Twenty- ninth Avenue, Vernon. Hyndman, Allan W., Box 2018, Skaha Lake, Penticton. Jackson, Geo. P., R.R. 2, Salmon Arm. J. Brothers (nominees, J. MacKie and J. Azanza), 2584 Yale Road, Langley. Johnston, S. S., Salmon Arm. Johnstone, C. C, 12 Williams Road North, Chilliwack. Kamloops Livestock Co. (nominees, L. Turcott and A. Pickard), 289 First Avenue, Kamloops. Klassen, M., Sardis. Klontz, Wm., Box 351, Abbotsford. Kohler, Herman, R.R. 2, Duncan. Lanyon, Paul, Courtenay. Lock, Arthur, R.R. 4, Victoria. Lock, W. H., Sooke Road, Glen Lake P.O. Loudon, Frank R., Oroville, Wash. Lock, John W., R.R. 1, Chemainus. Langton, Jas. C, Clinton. McCook, Lewis, 130 Ninth Avenue North-west, Calgary, Alta. McGrath, F. J., 1925 Erskine Road, Victoria. MacFarlane, J. B., Dawson Creek. Mackenzie, C. A., Tulameen. MacLaren, D. A. {see Werner & MacLaren). McPherson, A. H., 3917 Cedar Hill Cross-road, Victoria. Maki, W. O., R.R. 1, Nanaimo. § Marshall, M. W., R.R. 2, Box 252, Kelowna. Martens, A. A., Box 27, Yarrow. Meltzer, Nat, 2575 West Eighteenth Avenue, Vancouver 8. Merin, Max, 622 East Georgia Street, Vancouver 4. Miller, Jos. Dale, Falkland. Miller, Trios. A., Williams Lake. Mission Meat Ltd. (nominees, F. A. Johnstone and J. A. Campbell), Box 536, Mission. Murray, F. J., Salmon Arm. Murphy, W. P., Enderby. Neal (Sr.), Robt. E., Nespelem, Wash. Nobbs, F. C, Dawson Creek. No well, Geo. I., R.R. 1, Agassiz. Nikkels, B. F., R.R. 2, Victoria. Okanogan Livestock Market (nominees, O. Ru- bert and A. Stookey), Okanogan, Wash. Pender graft, T. W., Osoyoos. Phillips, T. F., 32, 1490 Laburnum, Vancouver. Placsko, F., Creston. Poohachoff (Sr.), John, Rossland. Poplack, Max, 561 West Twenty-sixth Avenue, Vancouver 9. Powick, John, Box 144, Kelowna. Prince, Louis, Oroville, Wash. Pulver, W. G., Williams Lake. Salmon Arm Meat & Produce Co. Ltd. (nominees, G. Askew, Salmon Arm, and D. Askew, Kamloops), Salmon Arm. Saville, Jos. L., R.R. 2, Duncan. Schamp, Albert, Rayleigh Mount. Schneider, Harry H. (trading under the firm-name of Mission Auction Stables), Mission City. Seed & Pitts Packers Ltd. (nominees, J. H. Bris- bin and A. F. Pitts), 430 East Eighth. Avenue, New Westminster. Shannon, A. M., R.R. 3, Vernon. Sheline, A., 2181 West Eighteenth Avenue, Vancouver. Sheline, Geo. A., Box 147, Kamloops. Slomen, Harry, and Bryde, J. H., 333 East Hastings Street, Vancouver 4. Smith, J. H., Matsqui. Smith, Jas. A. (carrying on business under the firm-name of Alexander & Smith Cattle Co.), Kamloops. Smith, Frank E. M., Osoyoos. Snider, Harry, 3614 Seventh "A" Street West, Calgary, Alta. Z 126 BRITISH COLUMBIA APPENDIX No. 12—Continued List of Licensees—Continued Stock-dealers—Continued Staffen, John F., Berry Road, R.R. 2, Langley. Stein, J. (nominees, Jos. Stein and David Stein), 3216 West Seventh Avenue, Vancouver. Steiner, Edward, 2599 West Thirty-seventh Avenue, Vancouver 13. Striegler, Robt, Riske Creek. Stuby, R. G., Fort St. John. Swanton, G. C, Duncan. Thomas, Dan, Stelly's Cross-road, R.R. I Saan- ichton. Todd, Douglas H., General Delivery, Kelowna. Tweddle, H. T., Cawston. Warner, Wm. H., 453 East Thirtieth Avenue, Vancouver 10. Watson, Jos. J., Smithers. Weightman, Harold, Birch Island. Wellman, John J. E., R.R. 4, Langley. Werner, Adolph, and MacLaren, D. A., 425 No 5 Road, Lulu Island, R.R., Vancouver White, L. F., Oliver. Wiley, R. W., & Sons (nominees, R. W. Wiley and A. J. Wiley), Burns Lake. Wingerd, Curt G., Cloverdale. Wosk, Bill, 1170 Howe Street (rear), Vancouver 1. Wosk, Morris, 722 Trans-Canada Highway West Chilliwack. Wragg, A. N., Dawson Creek. Wrayton, A., 2027 Old McClellan Road, Cloverdale, Surrey Centre P.O. Slaughter-house Operators Adshead, H., R.R. 1, Ladysmith. Alberta Meat Co. Ltd., Box 460, Vancouver. Allertson, Chris, Bella Coola. Bailey, Mrs. M., and Fraitzl, M., Nakusp. Borsato, Mario, Trans-Canada Highway, R.R. 7, Langley. Burns & Co. Ltd., foot of Woodland Drive, Vancouver 6. Butler, E. A., R.R. 1, Abbotsford. Canada Packers Ltd., 750 Terminal Avenue, Vancouver. Cariboo Cold Storage Ltd., Williams Lake. Central Department Store Ltd., Fort St. John. Circle "S" Cattle Co. Ltd., Dog Creek. City Supermarket Ltd., 930 Rossland Avenue, Trail. Clappison Packers Ltd., Haney. Cohrs, F. and W. (Fleetwood Cold Storage), 346 Pike Road, R.R. 5, New Westminster. Crown Market, Grand Forks. Cuthill, E. F., Fort St. John. Dauncey, W. S. (carrying on business under the firm-name of Wilcock's Market), Box 1022, Courtenay. De Leenheer, Jos. U., R.R. 3, Vernon. Diamond "S" Ranch Ltd., Pavilion. Doney, Albert, Mount Newton Cross-road, Saan- ichton. Doney, O. T., Cowichan Station, V.I. Douglas Lake Cattle Co. Ltd., Douglas Lake. Duncan, Geo., New Denver. Enderby Meat & Lockers Ltd. (C. Horrex), En- derby. Fardal, O., Quesnel. Gaven, Richard, R.R. 4, Vernon. Fisher, M. D., Glen Lake, V.I. Gordon Meat Market Ltd., 425 Bernard Avenue, Kelowna. Gosse Cold Storage Ltd., 1395 Fourth Avenue, Prince George. Hanson, Emil, Nakusp. Hill, L. L., Quesnel. Hoy, Foss, 545 Johnston Road, R.R. 14, New Westminster. Hubbard, H. W., 1242 Cordova Bay Road, Victoria. Hunniford, P. C, 333 Kirkbride Road, R.R. 7, New Westminster. J. Brothers, 2584 Yale Road, Langley. Jones, E. L., R.R. 4, Langley. Johnstone, C. C, 12 Williams Street North, Chilliwack. Kamloops Meat Co. (registered), Box 437, Kamloops. Kingsley, W. J. (Delta Cold Storage), Box 42, Ladner. Klontz, Wm., R.R. 1, Abbotsford. Kohler, H., R.R. 2, Duncan. Ladner Meat Co. Ltd., Ladner. Lafond, Jos. T. (Lawrence Meat Market), Dawson Creek. Lock, J. W., R.R. 1, Chemainus. McGivern, B., R.R. 3, Cloverdale. McLeod's Meats Ltd., 2129 Bose Road, Cloverdale. McGrath, F. J., 1925 Erskine Road, Victoria. Maki, W. O., R.R. 1, Nanaimo. Marshall, M. W., R.R. 2, Box 252, Kelowna. Martens, A. A., Box 27, Yarrow. Marriott, T. W., Kaleden. Mouat Bros. Ltd., Ganges. Nelmes, W. B. (Rosedale Meat Locker Service), Rosedale. Nikkels, B. F., R.R. 2, Victoria. Northern Meats, Dawson Creek. Pacific Meat Co. Ltd., 8950 Shaughnessy Street, Vancouver. Powick, John, Box 144, Kelowna. Pratt, Ernest, Thrums. Pym, W. J., 683 Pacific Highway, R.R. 3, Cloverdale. Quist, C. J., Westholme. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 APPENDIX No. 12—Continued List of Licensees—Continued Slaughter-house Operators—Continued Z 127 Quesnel Packing Co. Ltd., Quesnel. Rutland Lockers Ltd., Rutland. Salmon Arm Meat & Produce Co. Ltd., Salmon Arm. Saville, J. L., R.R. 2, Duncan. Schulz, H. H., Black Creek, V.I. Seed & Pitts Packers Ltd., Pitt Meadows. Shepherd, S., R.R. 2, Cloverdale. Skov, Sam, Otter Road South, R.R. 3, Alder- grove. Smith, D. D., Huntingdon. Spittal, David, Dawson Creek. St. Dennis, R. L., Pouce Coupe. Stuby, R. G., Fort St. John. Swift Canadian Co. Ltd., New Westminster. Talarico, A. and G. (Valley Market), Grand Forks. Tenbaum, S. (Caribou Meat Packing Co.), Prince George. Vecchio, J. B. (Fairway Meat Market), 384 Baker Street, Nelson. Walkley, Mrs. Louise, Cranbrook. H Watson, G. H., 325 Wells Road, R.R. 4, Sardis. Weymouth, A. T., Matsqui. White, L. F. (carrying on business under the firm- name of Quality Meats & Lockers), Oliver. Whitelock, Leo (Liberty Meat Department), Nelson. Wrayton, A., 2027 Old McLellan Road, Surrey Centre P.O. Hide-dealers Adirim, N., Nanaimo. Allertson, C, Bella Coola. Armstrong's Department Store Ltd., Merritt. Bailey, Mrs. M., and Fraitzl, M., Nakusp. Barazzuol, P. (agent for Bissinger & Co.), Vancouver. Belshaw, D., Merritt. Biddlecombe, G. I., Kimberley. Bissinger & Co., P.O. Box 1005, Vancouver. Bradley, L. S. (trading under the name of Bradley's Meat Market), 516 Baker Street, Nelson. Burns & Co. Ltd., foot of Woodland Drive, Vancouver 6. Cariboo Cattlemen's Association, Williams Lake. Carr, G. H., Creston. Chung, H. Y., 530 Island Highway, Victoria. Compeau, H. E. (trading under the name of Johnson's Meat Market), Osoyoos. Creston Valley Co-operative Association, Creston. Dillabough, Geo., R.R. 1, Kamloops. Enderby Meat & Lockers Ltd., Enderby. Fisher, M. D., Glen Lake, V.I. Fruitvale Locker Storage Ltd., Fruitvale. Gammie, Alex., Lytton. Gordon, Ben (carrying on business under the firm- name of Gordon's Salvage & Trading Co.), 730 Yale Road West, Chilliwack. Gosse Cold Storage Ltd., 1395 Fourth Avenue, Prince George. Halford Hide & Fur Co. Ltd., 10509 One Hundred and Fifth Avenue, Edmonton, Alta. Harper, Jas. (agent for J. E. Love & Sons, Calgary), Nakusp. Hawker, Geo. R., Vanderhoof. Henderson, R. B. (agent for Martin & Stewart (B.C.) Ltd.), 126 West Third Avenue, Vancouver. Hendry, Edward (Greenwood Meat Market), Greenwood. Henson, Robt. A. (carrying on business under the firm-name of Creston Valley Lockers), Creston. Hocksteiner, Wm. (carrying on business under the firm-name of Pioneer Meat Market), Osoyoos. Inouye, T. (Vernon Tanning & Manufacturing Co.), Vernon. Ironside, G. R. (agent for J. E. Love & Sons), Box 233, Calgary, Alta. J. Brothers, 2584 Yale Road, Langley. Jones, E. L., R.R. 4, Langley Prairie. Kamloops Meat Co. (registered), Box 437, Kamloops. Lauren, John (carrying on business under the firm-name of Armstrong Lockers), Box 370, Armstrong. Lafond, Jos. T. (carrying on business under the firm-name of Lawrence Meat Market), Dawson Creek. Leckie, J., Co. Ltd., 220 Cambie Street, Vancouver. Love, J. E., & Sons, 405 Fourth Street East, Calgary, Alta. McClounie's Department Store, Falkland. McLeod's Meats Ltd., 2129 Bose Road, Cloverdale. McMynn, C. G., Ltd., Midway. Marshall, M. W., R.R. 2, Kelowna. Martin & Stewart (B.C.) Ltd., 126 West Third Avenue, Vancouver. Mead, T. R. (agent for Halford Hide & Fur Co. Ltd.), Edmonton, Alta. Meehan, L. O. (Meehan's Meat Market), Revel- stoke. Miner, M. (agent for Bissinger & Co.), Vancouver. Mouat Bros. Ltd., Ganges. Northern Meats, Dawson Creek. Palmer, Thos. H., Barriere. Paris Tannery Ltd., 51 West Hastings Street, Vancouver. Parker, R. G. (agent for A. Wyman & Co.), Edmonton, Alta. Z 128 BRITISH COLUMBIA APPENDIX No. 12—Continued List of Licensees—Continued Hide-dealers—Continued Pinko, R. P., R.R. I Prince George. Pratt, E., Thrums. Quesnel Packing Co. Ltd., Quesnel. Rebagliati, Geo. A., Lytton. Reber, U., 13815 Hjorth Road, R.R. 13, New Westminster. Reinertson, C. W., R.R. 1, Summerland. Salmon Arm Meat & Produce Co. Ltd., Salmon Arm. Schulz, H. H., Black Creek, V.I. Scott, Robt. (carrying on business under the firm- name of Union Meat Market), 197 Victoria Street, Kamloops. Simpson & Lea, 708 Centre Street, Calgary, Alta. Spittal, David, Dawson Creek. St. Dennis, R. L., Pouce Coupe. Staples, Jas. (carrying on business under the firm- name of Maple Leaf Meat Market), Armstrong. Stuby, R. G., Fort St. John. Uptigrove, R. H., 3911 Grandview Hiehw™ North Burnaby. * way' Vecchio, J. B. (Fairway Meat Market, agent for J. E. Love & Sons, Calgary), Nelson. Vernon Locker Service & Meats Ltd., Vernon. Wall, J. F., Burns Lake. Watson, J. J., Smithers. Weightman, H. (agent for J. E. Love & Sons Calgary), Birch Island. ' Wheeler, O., Rock Creek. White, L. F. (carrying on business under the firm- name of Quality Meats & Lockers), Oliver. Wilson, S. A. (Princeton Meat Market), Princeton. Wosk, Morris (agent for Martin & Stewart (B.C.) Ltd.), 722 Trans-Canada Highway West, Chilliwack. Wyman, A., & Co., 10529 One Hundred and Fifth Avenue, Edmonton, Alta. Beef-peddlers Brook, Thos. Wm., Box 75, Chase. Bailey, Mrs. M., and Fraitzl, M., Nakusp. Cariboo Meat Packing Co. Ltd., Box 97, Prince George. De Leenheer, Jos. U., R.R. 3, Vernon. Duncan, Geo., New Denver. Gordon, L., Castlegar. Marriott, T. W., Kaleden. Pratt, E., Thrums. Sheline, G., Kamloops. Shoaf, W. B., Parson. Washtock, Q. R., North Bend. Weightman, H., Birch Island. Horse-slaughterers Avis, Harold, Perry Siding, Appledale P.O. Butler, E. A., R.R. 1, Abbotsford. Dawson, Robt., R.R. 2, Kelowna. Fuller, D., R.R. 2, Salmon Arm. Gregory, A. K., 675 Young Street South, Chilliwack. Hosko, A., Natal. Hoy, Foss, R.R. 14, New Westminster. Jacobsen, E. J., Haney. Jonson, Axel, Dewdney Fur Farm, Dewdney. Joiner, Chas. J., 325 Chilliwack River Road, R.R. 2, Sardis. Makow, M., 915 Happy Valley Road, R.R. 1, Victoria. Morris, A. W. E., R.R. 1, Winfield. S Reese, R. W., Sorrento. Staffen, J. F., R.R. 2, Langley Prairie. Turner, Geo. T., R.R. 2, Salmon Arm. Vancouver Rendering Co. Ltd., 1178 River Road, Lulu Island. Yerbury, Fred C, Kimberley. Yerbury, J. H., Lister. Horse-meat Dealers (for Animal-food) Allison, Robt. and Barnett, Keremeos. Butler, E. A., R.R. 1, Abbotsford. Carson, Ed W., R.R. 1, Abbotsford. Hoy, Foss, 545 Johnston Road, R.R. 14, New Westminster. Makow, M., 915 Happy Valley Road, R.R. 1, Victoria. Staffen, J. F., R.R. 2, Langely Prairie. Uptigrove, R. H., 3911 Grandview Highway, North Burnaby. , Vancouver Rendering Co. Ltd., 1178 River Road, Lulu Island. Horse-meat Dealers (for Human Consumption) Best-bi Food Co, 633 East Hastings Street, Van- Tracy, Glenn E, 1891 Buller Avenue, couver- Burnaby. South DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 APPENDIX No. 12—Continued List of Licensees—Continued Permit to Transport Horses for Range Purposes Z 129 Alkali Lake Ranch Ltd, Alkali Lake. Bostock, Brigadier W. N, Pritchard. Bostock Ranch Ltd, Monte Lake. Bowers, G. J, Kamloops. Bulman, T. A, Kamloops. Cariboo Land & Cattle Co, Hanceville. Cecil, Lord Martin, 100 Mile House. Circle "S" Cattle Co. Ltd, Dog Creek. Coldstream Ranch Ltd, Vernon. Coldwell, H. W, Jesmond. Conner, N. E, Heffley Creek. Cooper, A. B, Invermere. Corbould, D, Rayleigh. Devick, F. A, Heffley Creek. Devick, R. Y, Heffley Creek. Dorrell, D. C, Clinton. Douglas Lake Cattle Co. Ltd, Douglas Lake. Duck, R. M, Kamloops. Elkhorn Ranch Ltd, Windermere. Fetterly, V, Okanagan Falls. Foley Bros, Brigade Lake. Forestry Division (C. R. Mills), Nelson. Frolek Ranch & Sawmills Ltd, Kamloops. Furiak, Mike, Knutsford. Gottfriedsen, August (Indian), Kamloops. Guichon Cattle Co. Ltd, The, Quilchena. Horn, W, and Eden, D, 70 Mile House. Hepburn, J, Chase. Hysop, Geo. W. D, Chase. Kamloops Livestock Co, Kamloops. Kerr, A. H, Clinton. Lauder, J. W, Quilchena. Morrison, S. B, Knutsford. Nicola Lake Stock Farm Ltd, Nicola. Palmer, W. A, Heffley Creek. Parke, P. A, Cache Creek. Pollard, J. H, Clinton. St. Joseph's Mission, Williams Lake. Steffens, R, Merritt. Sutton, F. N, Williams Lake. Thorlakson, T. A, Vernon. Walker, B. J, Oliver. Watt, J. D, Jesmond. Wolstenholme, R, Okanagan Falls. Wotzke, H, Williams Lake. Permit to Transport Stallions for Breeding Purposes Lloyd, W, Port Coquitlam. Z 130 BRITISH COLUMBIA District Cariboo— Williams Lake iz,wi Alexis Creek, Quesnel, Soda Creek, Lac la Hache, Clinton, 100 Mile House, Graham Siding 8,101 Lillooet, Pavilion, Bridge Lake, Lone Butte 1 >952 Bella Coola APPENDIX No. 13 Cattle and Hide Shipments, 1954 Cattle Hides 563 Kamloops, Nicola, etc.— Kamloops, Chase 14,216 Nicola 9,142 Ashcroft, Lytton, etc 5,117 Salmon Arm 837 Similkameen— Princeton, Keremeos, etc. 2,748 Grand Forks, Greenwood 932 865 84 57 22,684 1,569 1,446 355 156 896 29,312 2,853 159 921 District Central British Columbia— Prince George, Vanderhoof Smithers, etc Burns Lake Cattle 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 Hides 1,778 409 453 1,526 104 5 2,640 1,635 3,303 2,578 2,077 669 3,380 1,616 542 2,554 153 680 12,007 5,545 262 835 3,342 1,105 950 823 1,128 252 5,544 3,153 141 3,626 371 2,027 3,680 1,080 3,767 2,398 Totals Compared District 1954 Cattle Hides 1953 Cattle Hides 1952 Cattle Hides Cariboo and South Kamloops and Nicola Okanagan and Similkameen South-eastern British Columbia Central British Columbia and Peace River Totals 22,684 29,312 15,687 5,544 6,407 1,569 2,853 6,625 3,153 4,033 79,634 18,233 16,784 24,653 13,598 4,392 3,992 969 2,443 5,777 3,539 4,537 63,419 17,265 19,295 20,679 9,934 2,739 2,727 55,374 981 1,836 4,990 3,241 3,210 14,258 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 APPENDIX No. 14 Southern Interior Stockmen's Association Cattle Sale, September 1st, 1954 Kind Head Highest Price per Cwt. Lowest Price per Cwt. Average Price per Cwt. Steers Cows Registered cows— Heifers Vaccinated heifers. Calves Bulls Club calves Open singles Totals 257 141 6 82 8 77 14 6 1 $19.35 11.75 12.00 16.00 14.25 19.10 13.60 30.50 25.00 $6.60 4.75 12.00 10.85 14.25 13.75 10.25 25.00 25.00 592 $16.10 9.21 12.00 14.69 14.25 17.25 12.22 26.83 25.00 Second Sale, October 27th, 1954 Steers Heifers Baby beef. Calves Stags Cows Bulls Registered bulls Registered cows Totals.. 246 182 16 384 2 162 8 3 1 $20.75 14.75 15.85 16.25 11.00 11.60 10.50 $7.00 8.85 15.85 13.00 11.00 5.00 10.50 1,004 $15.74 12.95 15.85 14.87 11.00 8.16 10.50 Total Weight 218,445 145,990 6,645 58,920 4,560 26,985 19,750 5,755 1,050 488,100 207,320 126,175 8,335 153,920 2,115 163,395 10,520 671,780 Z 131 Total Price $35,164.51 13,450.70 797.40 8,655.51 649.80 4,653.72 2,413.94 1,543.99 262.50 $67,592.07 $32,628.15 16,340.82 1,321.10 22,881.81 232.65 13,334.19 1,104.60 1,285.00 180.00 $89,308.32 Eleventh Annual Quesnel Cattle Sale, October 19th, 1954 Kind Head Highest Price per Cwt. Lowest Price per Cwt. Average Price per Cwt. Total Weight Total Price Steers 366 158 119 43 14 197 $18.70 10.00 16.25 9.40 8.70 16.00 $7.50 3.80 10.50 9.30 7.50 11.50 $14.90 7.52 12.65 9.37 8.32 14.29 323,231 174,566 84,502 34,723 14,797 75,498 $48,187.63 13,130.04 10,683.62 3,255.80 1,231.32 10,681.04 Cows Heifers Heiferettes. Bulls... Calves Totals 897 707,317 1 $87,169.45 Z 132 BRITISH COLUMBIA APPENDIX No. 15 Seventeenth Annual Cariboo Feeder and Fat Cattle Sale and Show, September 1st, 1954 Kind Head Highest Price per Cwt. Lowest Price per Cwt. Average Price per Cwt. Total Weight Steers Cows Heiferettes Heifers Calves Bulls Bull calf Miscellaneous- Totals 1 ,143 474 78 627 454 37 1 20 $35.00 10.35 12.60 14.85 16.00 9.50 10.00 12.25 $10.25 5.50 10.80 11.60 12.50 9.50 10.00 8.00 2,834 $15.89 8.40 11.56 13.18 14.01 9.50 10.00 8.87 974,231 464,694 70,971 402,107 149,082 51,746 407 11,385 Total Price $154,830.25 39,042.24 8,208.27 53,008.95 20,887.91 4,915.86 40.70 1,010.11 2,124,623 $281,944.29 Second Sale, November 4th, 1954 Steers Cows Calves Bull calves Steer calves Heifers Bulls Miscellaneous- Totals 877 550 292 10 27 586 39 17 $20.10 12.85 16.25 12.00 16.50 15.00 9.50 14.25 $8.50 5.35 8.75 12.00 15.25 10.25 9.00 2.00 2,398 $16.21 9.14 14.42 12.00 15.97 12.75 9.35 7.97 782,442 549,860! 104,194! 4,210 9,583 376,122 53,489 9,140 1,889,040 $126,835.17 50,758.85 15,524.88 505.20 1,530.03 47,949.32 5,001.32 728.96 $248,833.73 1 These figures do not include 6 cow and calf pairs. B.C. Live Stock Producers' Co-operative Association, Kamloops Auction Sale, November 18th, 1954 Kind Head Highest Price per Cwt. Lowest Price per Cwt. Average Price per Cwt. Total Weight Total Price Steers 249 108 3 89 19 350 301 4 29 4 $18.50 11.10 11.85 14.75 17.35 18.35 15.75 14.50 16.60 10.00 $9.00 5.75 11.85 7.25 8.25 7.35 6.00 14.00 14.00 9.00 $15.33 7.75 11.85 12.71 14.83 16.39 13.83 14.33 14.84 9.51 193,413 110,128 2,860 65,260 5,180 161,560 122,080 970 12,920 5,080 $29,651.30 Cows Heifer cows 8,538.38 338.91 Heifers Calves. 8,297.44 768.39 Steer calves 26,479.76 Heifer calves 16,885.62 Heifer and steer calves 138.00 Bull calves 1,917.07 Bulls. 482.90 Totals 1 1^6 679,451 $93,497.77 ■», ■"••■'« I DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1954 Z 133 oo«ncoomo»ooo t^ rO v><-iNioTi-vo>rit^>ncN ■*t 3 tH rH r-H rH tH rH rH 0\ rH I-H 1 O H CO vo<ovoiot~-o\t^ooTto cN G WOrHlntnOCMTlMO o\ O H ©^ © rH life 10 ^""■—■ ON r-H OuO rH rH JZfcH r-H m 1 o I r \ i , ooo»o»noou-)0>o © co n ioinmt^cNO<nMn(S >n a I-I tN CO CO rH rH rH rH rH u O Vh I 1 o ft 1 CD CO CO CD U CO V000rHt~-000\cNrHOrH 00 r o Q oo©n-»o©ov.©©oom co *f-3Ps H m O t"-O\VOOv.Ov.tNt-~O\00CO m CO fU H i < •* 1 ■ 1 © © £ « «S o 3H m n i—» CO & $ M CD oomoommcjoo^ r~- m CO H-l ©vot^r^rHvoooo© o\ vo a a ^ vo m ^ in m w n tj> Ov T-H PS CD rH f^ t-4 rH rH w Ph" d S n CD CO CO CD DIX UMBI o CO ©r-»»nr-ooir>r-t^ov.vo <r> o q t^^motNOcecNcecN rH 1-4 o V") CO tN fN rH rH rH rH V) vo^ Ph H cs * O i ••H m AP ITISH a # 3 o I So cdH © ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! 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Legislative proceedings
J110.L5 S7
English
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
Victoria, BC : Government Printer
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Original Format: University of British Columbia. Library. Law Library. J110.L5 S7
Department of Agriculture FORTY-NINTH ANNUAL REPORT 1954
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