Mr. Gardiner:

There has been a great deal of discussion in the house on the matter of increasing wages of persons employed at the farm, and increasing the salaries of scientific personnel associated with the farm. All of that has resulted in an increase as compared with some years ago. However, it will be noticed that, as compared with last year, there is this year in the item a reduction of $85,281. So that in the estimates of those two years we have this year a reduction rather than an increase.

Mr. Slewarl (Winnipeg North):

How much land has been added to the experimental farm in the last two or three years?

Mr. Gardiner:

The Caldwell farm was added in the last twenty-four months. I am not sure of the size, but I believe it was either one hundred or one hundred and fifty acres.

Mr. Hatfield:

That makes 827 acres for the whole farm.

Mr. Gardiner:

The total is about 1,100 acres.

Mr. Stewart (Winnipeg North):

What was the cost per acre of the farm?

Mr. Gardiner:

I shall have to work that out, because 1 have not that information before me. I shall bring it down tomorrow.

Mr. Stewart (Winnipeg North):

Then, may we let the item stand?

Mr. Hatfield:

What is the revenue from the farm?

Mr. Stewart (Winnipeg North):

I should like the item to stand until we have an answer.

Mr. Hatfield:

Would the minister tell the committee the amount of revenue from the farm?

Mr. Gardiner:

If the item stands I shall answer all that later.

Item stands.

Experimental farms service-*

15. Branch farm and stations and illustration stations, $3,819,403.

Mr. Cruickshank:

Has any provision been made for an illustration station in British Columbia in connection with small fruits such as raspberries and strawberries? If so, where? Has any station been established in connection with tulip and daffodil bulbs? If so, where?

Mr. Gardiner:

A survey is being made to establish an experimental station in connection with fruit. I was asked the question today by way of a note from one of the new members from British Columbia, and I replied to him to the effect that a survey is being made, and that when a report is received it is our intention to establish a station somewhere. I am not in a position to say at the present time just where it will be.

Mr. Cruickshank:

It is for small fruits?

Mr. Gardiner:

Yes. The station which does give out information in connection with the growing of bulbs, and which has been established for that purpose, is at Saanichton. It is in operation now.

Supply-Agriculture

Mr. Cruickshank:

Quite a large amount of money is involved. Will the minister give consideration to establishing an experimental plot at the present experimental farm at Agassiz. We brought in some bulbs from Vancouver island, and some disease has developed in our Fraser valley bulbs.

The minister has said that they are considering establishing a station somewhere; I suggest that it should be located where the small fruits are grown. Let me point out that 85 per cent of small fruits are grown around the central part of the Fraser valley, and I suggest that would be the logical place for the station. I am not particularly concerned about where it is located, but that would seem to be the logical place for it.

Mr. Gibson (Comox-Alberni):

I do not like the inference left by the hon. member for Fraser Valley, that the diseased bulbs came from Vancouver island.

Mr. Gardiner:

Some work is being done at the Agassiz farm in connection with bulbs. I believe the hon. member is right when he says that there is not enough work being done in connection with small fruits. It is my understanding that quite a number of people in that section of British Columbia have a feeling that we ought to move the farm. I do not know that that will be done. Probably there is some good reason for having it remain where it is. No doubt some work will be done there in due course. But the general opinion, as a result of a survey, is that the station should be farther down the valley. I am not sure that that will be acted upon, but it indicates the present position.

Mr. Cruickshank:

I should be consulted before a change is made.