REPORT OF MR. ANGUS MACEAT 335 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



DEEP BREAKING. 



' Deep breaking, which in many sections of the country is the only practicable way 

 of preparing new land, and which is, unfortunately, done in some instances where 

 breaking and back-setting would give more satisfactory results, consists in the turning 

 over of the sod as deeply as possible, usually from four to five inches. 



' When the sod has rotted, the top soil should be worked and made as fine as pos- 

 sible. The use of harrow and disc will fill up all irregularities on the surface, and 

 make a fine, even seed-bed. 



' Whether the land is broken shallow or deep, it is necessary to have the work com- 

 pleted early, so as to take advantage of the rains which usually come during June or 

 early in July. These rains cause the sod to rot, and without them, or if the ploughing 

 is done after they are over, the sod remains in the same condition as when turned, and 

 no amount of work will make up for the loss. 



SUMMER FALLOWS. 



' The true worth of properly prepared fallows has been clearly demonstrated in past 

 years in every grain-growing district of Saskatchewan. 



'The work of preparing land for crop by fallowing is carried on in so many ways in 

 different parts of the Northwest, that perhaps a few words on some of the methods 

 employed may be of help to at least some of the new settlers. 



' It has been observed in Alberta and Saskatchewan that the land to be fallowed is 

 not, as a rule, touched until the weeds are full grown and in many cases, bearing fully 

 matured seed. It is then ploughed. 



' By this method, which, no doubt, saves work at the time, the very object of a sum- 

 mer fallow is defeated. In the first place, moisture is not conserved because the land 

 has been pumped dry by the heavy growth of weeds; and, secondly, instead of using 

 the summer-fallow as a means of eradicating weeds, a foundation is laid for years of 

 labour and expense by the myriads of foul seeds turned under. 



* The endless fields of yellow-flowered weeds, generally Ball Mustard (Neslia pani- 

 culata), testify to the indifferent work done in many districts, and, while no weed is 

 more easily eradicated by a good system of fallows, there is no weed that is more easily 

 propagated or takes greater advantage of poor work on fallows or of fall or spring 

 cultivation. 



' As has been pointed out in my previous reports, early and thorough work on 

 fallows is absolutely necessary to success, and I here repeat the methods and results of 

 tests carried on for some years past. 



'First Method. — Ploughed deep (6 to 8 inches) before last June; surface culti- 

 vated during the growing season, and just before or immediately after harvest ploughed 

 5 or 6 inches deep. 



' Result. — Too much late growth if season was at all wet ; grain late in ripening, 

 and a large crop of weeds if the grain was in any way injured by winds. 



Second Method. — Ploughed shallow (3 inches deep) before the last of June; 

 surface cultivated during the growing season, and ploughed shallow (3 to 4 inches 

 deep) in the autumn. 



' Result. — Poor crop in a dry year ; medium crop in a wet year. ISTot sufficiently 

 stirred to enable soil to retain the moisture. 



' Third Method. — Ploughed shallow (3 inches) before the last of June ; surface 

 cultivated during the growing season, and ploughed deep (7 to 8 inches) in the 

 autumn. 



' Result. — Soil too loose and does not retain moisture. Crop light and weedy in a 

 dry year. 



'Fourth Method. — Ploughed deep (7 to 8 inches) before the last of June; surface 

 cultivated during the growing season. 



