The Rural Voice, 1979-06, Page 39escarpment, 5 kilometres west of Milton.
Construction began three years ago, and
beginning May 14, the museum will be
open to the public seven days a week.
"More than 10,000 visitors have toured
the museum during the past two sum-
mers," says general manager Bob Carbert.
"This is a 10 -year development project,
and we feel there are enough buildings
completed now to make a several hour visit
worthwhile."
Through private donations, loans and
purchases, the museum has collected more
than 12,000 artifacts. There is something to
interest everyone, whether young or old,
from urban or rural backgrounds.
"The displays in the Theme Hall are
arranged to take the visitor through the
changes in agricultural technology and
rural life," says Mr. Carbert.
The displays move from the early Indian
agriculture through the survey period and
settlement of the province. As visitors wind
their way through the corridors, they can
see how the evolution of power from man
power and horse power to wind, water,
steam, gasoline and electricity affected
agriculture.
One of the highlights of the power
section is the Adam Beck Hydro Circus.
This travelling road show was used as a
sales tool to sell hydro electric power to the
farm community.
Exhibit Hall also shows the development
of the rural telephone system and gives the
visitor glimpses of old Ontario's rural
society through the services of the
agricultural representative, the harness
maker, the wheelwright and the veterinary
surgeon.
In addition to Theme Hall, the museum
is made up of a number of other buildings,
including five display barns that house the
largest collection of heavy farm machinery
in the country.
"We have a special display area in one
of the barns to show the development of
the dairy equipment from the milking stool
to the modern milking system."
If you are interested in crafts, a visitor to
the Weaver's House is a must. Demon-
strations of pioneer crafts, such as
weaving, spinning and dyeing, will be held
daily in the log house.
A short ride on a tractor -pulled wagon
takes visitors to the crossroads community
which features a working blacksmith's
shop, a shingle mill, and the Women's
Institute Hall.
"We have plans to add a general store, a
carriage house, a farm machinery dealer-
ship, a church and other services to the
crossroads in the future," says Mr.
Carbert.
The Ontario Agricultural Museum will
be open all summer until after Thanks-
giving weekend, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Group tours can be arranged by contacting
the museum office at (416) 878-8151.
Forage Days has equipment demos
What you see
is what you get.. .
When you look at new forage equipment
shining in the dealer's lot, it's hard to know
which machine will do the best job. It
would be easier if you could see them at
work in the field.
That's just what the Forage Days '79
committee felt when they organized
Ontario's largest forage day program,
which will be held June 5 and 6 at the Elora
Research Station, 3 km south of Elora.
"This program will give farmers a
chance to see the latest equipment oper-
ating in the field, and discuss some of the
ideas presented at earlier forage meet-
ings" says Stan Young, coordinator of
agricultural extension at the Ontario
Agricultural College.
More than 10 major farm equipment
companies will demonstrate new equip-
ment for cutting, raking, baling, and
harvesting forage crops.
Cutting demonstrations are scheduled in
the morning, June 5, followed by forage
harvesting demonstrations in the after-
noon. Demonstrations on June 6 include
forage harvesting in the morning, and hay
raking and baling in the afternoon.
"The program will also give producers a
chance to talk over problems with special-
ists," says Dr. Young. "Displays of
publications, and clinics, featuring moist-
ure measurement and sprayer operation
will be held in a tent on the site."
Visitors to Forage Days '79 can also take
part in tours to see demonstrations of
alfalfa protein extraction, forage preserv-
ation using urea, and new spraying
equipment.
Wagon tours will take visitors through
the research station to see drainage tests,
forage variety comparisons, erosion control
and roughland pasture renovation projects.
There is no charge for Forage Days '79.
Lunch can be purchased on the site.
The event is sponsored by the Ontario
Ministry of Agriculture and Food, the
Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Assoc-
iation, the Ontario Retail Farm Equipment
Dealers' Association, the Canadian Farm
and Industrial Equipment Institute and the
Ontario Agricultural College, University of
Guelph.
Farm vacations
A good idea that needs more participation
For those people wanting to get away
from it all, what could be better than a
vacation in the country enjoying the
experience of farm life? And what could be
a better chance for city and country
neighbours to get to know one another?
A while ago the Federation of Agri-
culture had a brochure advertising differ-
ernt farms, their locations and what they
offered. Lately the Federation hasn't been
doing that but a group of farmers have
formed a club called Ontario Farm
Vacations.
This group of farmers who meet once a
year, in different locations put out some
advertising and do a brochure similar to
the old Federation one. Farmers belonging
to this club pay into it.
But just how would a farmer wanting to
entice visitors to his farm go about it?
Well, Albert Erb or RR 2, Zurich who used
to take vacationers on his farm, suggested
that if a farmer wanted to join the club they
could call the Federation of Agriculture
offices in Toronto and the people there
would probably be able to direct them.
Mr. Erb said that when he did take in
tourists he had a lot of inquiries including
some from the U.S.
He said he took in a lot of people over the
years and some people came back the
second, third and fourth time.
The different farm locations of members
in the club include the Stratford, Hanover,
Chesley and Owen Sound areas. Farmers
pick their own prices to charge their
guests.
"I think it's a good idea but I think it's
going to die out unless more people get
into it," Mr. Erb said.
Mr. Erb said having guests was a lot of
work but he had enjoyed it. He made lots of
friends and people still call and write and
sometimes when he and his wife go to
Toronto a group of the people who have
been at their farm will get together.
THE RURAL VOICE/JUNE 1979 PG. J/