PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND.

vour of the Colonial Secretary for the im- portation of stock, a work that had pre- viously been carried on by that venerable old organization, the Agricultural Society. In the following year the Stock Farm was instituted, not only for the purpose of con- tinuing the importation of stock but also for the purpose of propagating and distribut- ing superior animals. The stock was to be divided equally among the three counties, a restriction which afterwards led to section- alism and petty jealousy.

The farm consisted at first of two hun- dred and thirty acres. In 1877 the Carey farm was bought for $7,000 and added to the previous purchase. The first grant for maintenance was £100, but this small begin- ning grew and grew as the years rolled on until in I881~an appropriation of $12,000 ‘ was passed by the Island Legislature. In the same year five commissioners were ap- pointed to displace the old management and to assume control; new buildings were erected, and within the next four years, nine thousand dollars were appropriated for the introduction of stock. But again the inde- pendence of progressive and enterprising men asserted itself, and private enterprise now provides the necessary stock for the improvement of our herds. The old Stock Farm has declined in usefulness until the benefits from its continuance as such are doubtful. In 1902 some experimental work in testing varieties of grain was started and it seems that scientific investigation. experi- mentation and demonstration in the work— ings of basal principles as their results are affected by environment is the coming func- tion of the old institution.

Notwithstanding its defects.the Farm in its early history fully justified its organiza- tion, and stands a memorial to the sympathy

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and support which the cause of agriculture always found in the hearts of the promoters, ——Dr. J. T. Jenkins and Judge Peters, fa- ther of the present Premier.

As early as 1844 and perhaps earlier the benefits of healthful rivalry in the pro- duction of farm crops were recognized. Ex- hibitions were held regularly under the au- spices of the Agricultural Society. Early each year, usually in February or March, the fruit of the soil selected and improved by the application of science was gathered together for exhibition. Quantity as well as quality was represented for each of the ex- hibits consisted of at least three bushels. The grain became the property of the So- ciety and, at the conclusion of the exhibi- tion, was sold at auction, thus ensuring dis— tribution of vital seed so necessary for the development of strong, vigorous crops. In September of the same year the aristocracy among the cattle were gathered together to vie with one another in form and finish. Prominent at this show in 1844 were a num- ber of Shorthoms recently imported from Old England by John Grubb, and ten Lei: cester sheep imported by James Northe.

Numerous shows and exhibitions were held by the different agricultural societies. Contemporary with the organization of the Stock Farm. a number of commissioners were appointed whose duty it was to bring together frequently the best that art and sci- ence could produce in order that the farmer might see the possibilities of skillful and intelligent labour, and might have an ideal placed before him, leading the way to im- provements in his own methods.

With the appointment of a commission the assistance that had been given to the different agricultural societies was with- drawn and an appropriation was made for