251 



TEST OP "disc harrow" CULTIVATION AGAINST " SPRING PLOUGHING." 



During 1890 the different forms of disc harrows were largely used in pi-eparing 

 the seed bed for the different varieties of grain, also in some cases for covering the 

 seed. 



The reports concerning the success of this plan were very conflicting, some 

 claiming that the shallow cultivation with the disc harrow hastened maturit}^; the 

 work was done at a gi-eatly reduced cost, and was equally eflicacious in keeping ihe 

 weeds in check, and the yield nearly if not quite as heavj'- as on ploughed land. 



Others contend that disc harrow cultivation had nothing to recommend it in 

 the way of hastening maturit}', and that it greatly encouraged weeds, particulai'l}' 

 couch grass. 



To test the question on this farm four half-acre plots were selected in the 

 higher portion of the valley; soil a rich sandy loam. The field was summer-fallowed 

 in 1889 and sown to wheat in 1890. The plots were uniform and the test satis- 

 factory. 



On the 17th of last April each plot was sown with Red Fife at the rate of seven 

 pecks per acre. 



It will be seen by the following table that the spring ploughing not only gave the 

 best returns, but matured earlier and was freer from weeds. The sample of wheat 

 was equally good, being No. 2 hard from all the plots. 



It was also noticeable that the disc-harrowed plots had a large number of short- 

 strawed plants with poor heads, while the plants in the spring-ploughed plots were all 

 equally vigorous and the heads all well developed. 



ONE OR TWO PLOUGHINGS FOR FALLOW. 



A great difference of opinion exists regarding the proper treatment of summer 

 fallow for wheats. To test this matter three adjoining plots, each one acre in area, 

 wei"e selected. 



Plot No. 1 was ploughed once on 26th June, and the weeds kept down the balance 

 of the season by means of the common and disc harrows. 



Plot No. 2 was ploughed once on 26th July, and the after cultivation was the 

 same as No. 1. 



Plot No. 3 received one ploughing on 26th June and another on Ist August, and 

 one haiTowing afterwards. 



Appended will be found the returns from each plot: 



Variety. 



Red Fife 

 do 

 do 



How treated. 



Ploughed once, 26th June 



Ploughed once, 26th July 



Ploughed on 26th June and 1st August. 



Sown. 



Harvested 



April 16.. I Aug. 30 



do 

 do 



do 

 do 



Yield per Acre. 



Bush. 



30 

 25 



27 



Lbs. 



41 

 46 

 57 



