Mr. GARDINER:

Experimental work is being done on several farms. The substance most generally used is sodium chlorate. It is used not only in Canada but in other countries, and there is a great demand for it. As a matter of fact, there is a considerable shortage. It has been found the different chemicals are used most successfully on plants with fleshy leaves.. On other plants it does not operate so successfully. The cost of operation is sufficiently high to make it most difficult to apply it in an extensive way in farm operations. Probably it can be used to good advantage on lawns, gardens and other limited areas, but it is too expensive to apply on large areas.

Mr. McNEVIN:

I realize that the supplies of this material are limited and the cost is high. I do not know whether a change has taken place, but I believe there is a substantial duty on the importation of this chemical. Is that a fact?

Mr. GARDINER:

No. I am informed that sodium chlorate is produced in Canada in considerable volume. There is a demand for it from other countries, but we are still using a considerable part of it here.

Mr. WRIGHT:

How is the information gained at illustration stations given to the public? Is it given in printed form or through the annual field days held at the stations?

Mr. GARDINER:

The information is given to the public through the use of field days.

People in communities are invited to attend, and officials of the department go to those stations and explain the results of different experiments. The plots are, however, always open to the public, so that it is at all times possible for any one to see what developments are taking place from time to time. Field days, plus the visits of individuals to plots, and explanations given by individuals in charge of farms are the methods used.

Mr. WRIGHT:

Can one obtain in printed form the results of experiments at experimental stations?

Mr. GARDINER:

Information is put out to a great extent through press articles published in local papers.

Mr. NICHOLSON:

It is now eleven o'clock.

Not quite.

Mr. GARDINER:

At the beginning of

the discussion I agreed that when we reached the item for production service administration, we would continue the discussion with regard to wheat acreage reduction. Since it is almost eleven o'clock, I believe we might continue that discussion when we resume consideration of the estimates.

Item stands.

Progress reported.