350 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



2-3 EDWARD VII., A. 1903 



Fallows that have been ploughed for the first time after the first of July, and 

 especially after July 15, have never given good results ; and the plan too frequently 

 followed of waiting till weeds are full grown, and often ripe, and ploughing under with 

 the idea of enriching the soil, is a method that cannot be too earnestly advised 

 against. 



In the first place, after the rains are over in June or early in July, as they usually 

 are, no amount of work, whether deep or shallow ploughing, or surface cultivation, 

 can put moisture in the soil. The rain must fall on the first ploughing and be con- 

 served by surface cultivation. 



Weeds, when allowed to attain their full growth, take from the soil all the moisture 

 put there by the June rains, and ploughing under weeds with their seeds ripe or nearly 

 so, is adding a thousand-fold to the myriads already in the soil, and does not iiiaterially 

 enrich the land. 



BREAKING AND BACK-SETTING. 



In view of the fact that every year brings to the Territories, many new settlers, 

 who are unacquainted with the methods of breaking up and preparing new land for 

 crop, a few suggestions with regard to this very important work may not be amiss. 



In all sections where the sod is thick and tough, breaking and back-setting should 

 be done ; while in districts where scrub abounds and the sod is thin, deep breaking is 

 all that is necessary. 



The former is generally applicable to Assiniboia, and the latter to Alberta and 

 Saskatchewan, especially to the northern parts of these Territories where the land is 

 more or less scrubby. 



SHALLOW BREAKING. 



(To be back-set). 



The sod should be turned over as thin as possible, and for this purpose a walking 

 plough with a 12 or 14 inch share, is the best. When the breaking is completed (which 

 should not be latter than the second week in Julj'^), rolling will hasten the rotting 

 process and permit back-setting to commence early in August. 



BACK-SETTING. 



Back-setting is merely turning the sod back to its original place, and at the same 

 time bringing up two or three inches of fresh soil to cover it. The ploughing should 

 be done in the same direction as the breaking and the same width of furrow turned. 

 Two inches below the breaking is considered deep enough but three or four inches will 

 give better results. 



After back-setting, the soil cannot be made too fine and the use of disc or Randall 

 harrow to cut up every piece of unrotted sod, will complete the work. 



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 break- 

 ing and back-setting would give more satisfactory results, consists in the turning over of 

 the sod as deep as possible ; usually from 4 to 5 inches. 



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

 The use of harrow or 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 



