1937 - Convention Report

              TWENTIETH PROVINCIAL CONVENTION 57
REPORT OF AGRICULTURE AND CANADIAN INDUSTRIES
Mrs. C. H . Stout, 1401 Second Street N. W., Calgary, Convener.
When making the report on Agriculture and Canadian Industries, I feel
that to separate the two and make two reports would be to rob the Industries
report of its very foundation, in removing it from Agriculture. Here ill the West,
at least, it is the root and beginning of all other industries. However, we shall
first consider Agriculture, and I am sure you will agree with me that it is closely
connected to Canadian Industries, if not the parent industry.
Agriculture still is, and ever shall be, one of the vital subjects to study and
discuss. Some of the papers given in the Institutes were on the following sub­ject:
Strip farming as a preventive of soil drifting. One paper included grains
and grasses, grasses for dried or blown out areas, fruit trees and shrubs, sugar
beets, market gardening, poultry and live stock, turkey raising, planning a garden,
breeds of chicks in which sex is distinguished at hatching ( these, I understand,
are cross- bred Rhode Island Red male with Barred Rock hens— pullets are all
black, cockerels described as black wearing a white beret), eradication of weeds,
landscaping, hedges and shelter belts, good done by experimental farms, caracul
farming in Alberta, garden growing contest sponsored among school children
( seeds supplied by Women's Institutes for these), preparation of soil for garden,
the home strawberry patch, rhubarb and its uses.
Some members report success in growing tomatoes, cucumbers and melons.
Some raised dahlias and shared bulbs with other members. Contests in arranging
flowers were held. Several exchanged seeds and cuttings at the agricultural
meeting. In the Calgary- Okotoks Constituency, the Convener gathered many
varieties of flower seeds in the parks and distributed them to all Branches in her
Constituency. These seeds, ripened locally, would otherwise have gone to waste,
and as many lovely varieties are grown here, saving and distributing them was
a splendid thing to do. Approximately 500 packages were sent out last year.
A paper on " Agriculture" was given, stressing the way in which Agriculture
supplies Industry. Wool and hides, grain, fruit, beets for sugar, milk for cheese
and butter, live stock for packing plants, and too many other products to enumer­ate,
all keep the wheels of industry humming in this province.
Members report beautifying of parks, planting trees, caring for cemeteries,
growing extra potatoes for benefit of Women's Institute, and studying of peren­nials,
such as bleeding heart, tiger lily, roses, lilacs, peonies, honeysuckle, shasta
daisy were a few of those mentioned. Another gave prizes for children's window
boxes, potted geraniums, and collections of plants.
Instructions were given for making a dish garden— in a platter or tray.
Some took up growing and drying herbs. Many grow dill, sage, thyme, savory
and parsley. Possibly there would be a market with some of the packing plants
for some of these if grown in large enough quantities. One paper warned
against too lavish using of chemical fertilizers, none of which may be used year
after year with as good results as manure.
In the Calgary Branch a paper was heard on care of house plants, and one
some flowers easily grown in gardens, planning of grounds, trees, shrubs, etc.,
to frame the house and make a complete picture of the whole. This paper is
available for anyone who wishes it.