40 



tested, the growth of 1888, giving an average of 83 per Gent, of vitality; while the 

 average of 343 samples, the growth of 1889, is 84-3 per cent. A similar comparison 

 with barley gives 84 per cent, for 115 samples in 1888, and 84"9 per cent, for 279 

 samples in 1889, while the average for 174 samples of oats grown in 1888 \vas 79 per 

 cent, and for 345 samples in 1889 it was 90-5 percent., showing but very slight varia- 

 tions in the results obtained from the tests of the wheat and barley, but a remarkable 

 increase in the average vitality of oats, and this, notwithstanding the fact that rust 

 prevailed in 1889 to an unusual degree. The total number of tests completed was 

 1245 and in the following table the results are given : — 



Eesclts of Grain Tests, 1889-90. 



Kind of Seed. 



Wheat. 

 Barley. 

 Oats. . . 

 Rye 



Corn 



Peas 



Grass 



Clover 



Turnip 



Mangel .... 



Carrot 



Buckwheat 

 Tares 



Number 



of 



Tests. 



Rape 



Beans 



Millet 



Beet 



Onion 



Cauliflower 

 Cabbage . . . . 

 Pumpkin , . 

 Tobacco . . . . 

 Flax 



Lettuce . ... 



Parsnip 



Sunflower . . . 

 Cotton Seed. 

 Sorghum . . . . 

 Sugarcane . . , 



Total number of samples tested, highest and 

 lowest percentage and average vitality 



343 



279 



345 



2 



92 



24 



13 



16 



.38 



28 



30 



6 



2 



2 



9 

 2 

 2 

 2 

 4 

 ;t 

 2 



1 

 1 

 1 

 1 

 1 

 1 



1245 



Highest 



Per- 

 centage. 



100 

 100 

 100 



77 



100 



100 



100 



91 



100 



90 



100 



98 



94 



98 



100 



100 



90 



70 



81 



84 



68 



77 



91 



100 



Lowest 



Per- 

 centage. 



30 



2 

 12 

 70 





 25 





 43 

 58 

 14 

 10 

 IG 

 91 

 81 

 34 

 65 

 14 

 34 

 67 



3 

 16 





 26 



Average 

 Vitality 



84 

 84 

 90 

 73 

 68 

 81 

 68 

 69 

 83 

 43 

 51 

 67 

 92 

 89 

 72 

 86 

 49 

 52 

 74 

 43 

 30 

 23 

 58 

 18 

 40 

 92 

 64 

 56 

 33 



81-8 



The season of 1890 in most of the Provinces has been characterized byunusuall}- 

 wet weather, which has caused the grain in some districts to sprout; rust has also 

 been vevy prevalent. Such influences always lower the vitality of cereals, and greater 

 care is necessary in selecting grain for seed. All doubtful samples should be sent in 

 good season to the Experimental Farm for test. 



^ GOVERNMENT IMPORTATION OP TWO-ROWED BARLEY. 



During the Session of the House of Commons in February last, on the recom- 

 mendation of the Ministei- of Agriculture, the Government agreed to place in the 

 Estimates the sum of $25,000 for the purchase in England and distribution in this 

 countr}' of two-rowed barlej^ for seed. In this the House concui-red, and shortly 

 after 10,000 bushels of Carter's Prize Prolific barley was purchased for this purpose, 

 for the reason that this variety had already been tested in different parts of the 



