70 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



6-7 EDWARD VII., A. 1907 



showed the existence of an alarming state of affairs, from the number of cars 

 v.-hich were being maiked " rejected," and further, that this was from causes which 

 could to a large measure be prevented. These causes suggested the subjects treated 

 of, which were as follows : — 



' 1. Seed Selection by Fanning Mills. — It was pointed out how much could be 

 cicne by using the fanning mill thoroughly, to blow out all small and broken grains 

 which produce weak, late-maturing plants, and that good plump seed would give strong 

 plants, which would produce a regular and uniform crop. Lack of vigour in the plants 

 made them susceptible to injtiry from fungous diseases and insect pests. 



' 2. Seed Selection in the Field. — It was advised to select every year some large 

 heads of grain from fully-ripened plants, true to a desired type' and variety, and to 

 use these for a breeding plot or base of supply for pure seed, thus increasing the yield 

 and improving the quality of the grain. As illustrating the practicability of this 

 measure, it w^as pointed out that all the millions of bushels of Red Fife wheat now cul- 

 tivated in the West originated from a single plant found by Mr. David Fife in a field 

 of wheat near Jermyn, Peterborough county, Ontario, in 1842, and also that during 

 the present year a farmer at Moose Jaw had offered for sale 3,000 bushels of a selected 

 strain of wheat, all of which was the product of a single head of wheat selected five 

 years ago. 



' 3. Seed-testing 'for Vitality. — Many samples were exhibited, showing how diffi- 

 cult it is to luiow from the appearance of grain what its germinating value is. Some 

 samples, which looked very nearly as good as others which germinated 100 per cent, 

 when tested showed only a germinating power of from 50 to 60 per cent, proving con- 

 clusively that if a farmer were to sow such grain without testing it for vitality, he 

 would require to sow nearly double the amovmt of seed to get a stand for a crop. The 

 simplicity with which grain could be tested was shown by samples of grain which had 

 been sprouted between the folds of a damp cloth placed between two tin dishes to retain 

 the moisture. It was advised to pick out at random just 100 grains from the seed 

 which had been put by for sowing. The cleanness and fascination of this work com- 

 mended itself particularly to the wives and the children o'f farmers, who could thus, 

 while contributing to their own pleasure, also do something of great benefit to the 

 whole family. 



' An equally simple and rather better experiment was also shown, of placing the 

 hundred grains in a box of soil, which could be kept in any warm room in the house, 

 and would in a few days show not only how. many seeds would germinate, but also the 

 comparative vigour of the young plants. 



' 4. Treatment of Seed Grain to Prevent Smut. — Smut, the fungous disease which 

 is responsible for hy far the greater proportion of loss in last year's crop, was specially 

 dealt with. The nature of the disease was explained and the remedies which had 

 given the best results were recommended, together with the simplest way of applying 

 them. It is well known by farmers in the West that bluestone or formalin are practi- 

 cal remedies for treating seed grain before sowing, so as to destroy the adhering smut 

 spores. This may be done by dipping seed in asolution of 1 lb. of bluestone in 8 

 gallons of rain water, or by sprinkling the same over the grain and turning it over 

 thoroughly with a shovel until every grain is wet. It is best to sow as soon as con- 

 venient after the seed is dry, but the work may be done at any time when con- 

 venient after the middle of March. Ten gallons of solution will treat 8 bushels of 

 oats or 10 bushels of wheat. Instead of the above, commercial formalin may be used, 

 l oz. in each gallon of water; 1 lb. of formalin in 32 gallons of water will treat 27 

 bushels of oats or 32 bushels of wheat. Bluestone and formalin are equally good for 

 wheat, but formalin is much better for oats and barley. After treating with formalin, 

 the seed grain should be heaped up and covered for a few hours with sacks or blankets, 

 to keep the fumes in. 



' Some of the worst weeds were dealt with in detail, and it was pointed out that 

 even the worst weeds could be controlled if their nature were considered. Farmers 

 were recommended to give this matter special consideration. It was claimed that 



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