REPORT OF MR. W. H. FAIRFIELD 



369 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



Turkey Red, commonly grown under the name of Alberta Red, from tlie best locally 

 grown seed that could be obtained. The first two are pure improved strains of the 

 same, obtained from the Kansas Agricultural College, where they have been carefully 

 selected and bred. 



It might not be out of place to mention here that the word Alberta Red is often 

 used in a sense that is not technically correct, for it is the term used in the Manitoba 

 Grain Act in describing the various grades of hard red winter wheat. For example, 

 the Act states that ' No. 1 Alberta Red shall be hard, pure red winter wheat, sound, 

 &c., &c.,' consequently, any hard red winter wheat may be called Alberta Red, but on 

 account of there being but one variety of this class of wheat, the Turkey Red, grown 

 widely up to the present time in the district, the term Alberta Red has been used to 

 apply to this one variety, whereas it is properly applicable to any hard, red winter 

 wheat. 



Test of Breaking and Backsetting. 



The average increase in yield in these experiments, apparently due to backsetting, 

 is 2 bush. 8 lbs. per acre. It should be made plain, however, that this increase in the 

 first crop does not represent all that is gained by the backsetting. In addition, all the 

 native grass is killed and the land is in very much better condition in every way for 

 a second crop. 



To ascertain the quantity of seed most profitable to sow, an experiment, to be 

 continued for a number of years, was begun with the following results: — 



Winter Wheat — Rates of Seed Per Acre. 

 Area of plots used, one-eighth acre each. Variety, Turkey Red. 



Although the plots sown at the rate of 60 lbs. of seed and upward per acre gave 

 the heaviest yields, it must be borne in mind thcit we had a favourable season, as, 

 although the amount of rain was not abundant, it came at such a time as to insure a 



16—24 



