REPORT OF MR. AXGUS JIACK.iY 851 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



early in July. Tliase 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. 



To some districts near the foot-hills of the mountains and in districts where scrub 

 abounds, and the sod is thin, these remarks may not apply, but, as a rule, throughout 

 the Territories, early breaking, whether deep or shallow is advisable. 



WORKJNG LAND AFTER FIRST CROP. 



Inquiries are often made as to wTiat should be done aft-er taking off the first crop on 

 new land, the question being as to whether the land should be ploughed, or cultivated, 

 or sown without any cultivation whatever. 



This, however, can only be determined by circumstances. In districts with heavy 

 clay soil, a satisfactory crop may be expected from burning the stubble of the former 

 crop and sowing with or without cultivation ; although a shallow cultivation after the 

 stubble is burnt usually gives the best results. 



In districts with light soils and especially with gravelly subsoil, cultivation before 

 seeding is necessary. 



After taking the second crop from breaking or back-setting, there can be no doubt 

 that the land should be well fallowed to put it in proper condition for succeeding crops. 

 If the fallow is well made and the process is repeated every third year, the settler will 

 have started on the riiiht road to future success. 



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CATTLE. 



The herd on the farm at present consists of 15 short-horn females and 2 males, and 

 1 male each of the Guernsey and Ayrshire breeds. There ai'e also 17 grades. 



During the past year 4 short-horn males have been sold to fai'mers or ranchers in 

 the Territories for breeding purposes. 



FEEDING TEST. 



Fifteen 3-year old steers were purchased from ranchers on November 20, 1901, and 

 fed for 48 days on a uniform ration preparatory to a 16 weeks' comparative test of 

 Brome hay. Western rye grass and cuir straw as fodders. 



From November 20 to December 10, each animal received per day — 18 lbs. cut 

 straw (wheat), 16 lbs. ensilage (corn), 4 lbs. meal (1 part wheat to 3 parts barley). 



On December 10, the 15 head were divided into three lots of approximately equal 

 weight and fed for 28 days on a uniform ration consisting of 14 lbs. cut straw, 16 lbs. 

 ensilage, 5 lbs. meal, 12 lbs. mangels. 



The test commenced on January 9, 1902, and the three lots were fed as follows : — 

 4 weeks, January 9 to February 6. Each animal per day. 



Lot No. 1. — Fourteen.lbs. Western rye grass hay, 16 lbs. ensilage, 6 lbs. meal, \ 

 lb. ground linseed. 



Lot No. 2. — Foui'teen lbs. cut straw, 16 lbs. ensilage, 6 lbs. meal, i lb. ground 

 linseed. 



Lot. No. 3. — Fourteen lbs. Brome-grass hay, 16 lbs. ensilage, 6 lbs. meal, i lb. 

 ground linseed. 



Four weeks, February 7 to March 5, same ration, with the exception of meal, which 

 was increased to 8 lbs. daily. 



Four weeks, March 6 to April 2, same>ation, with the exception of meal, which was 

 increased to 10 lbs. daily. 



Four weeks, April 3 to April 30, same ration, with the exception of meal, which 

 was increased to 12 lbs. daily, and linseed increased to | lb. daily. 



From the completion of the test until the steers were sold on May 9 (nine days), 

 the same ration was fed as during the last four weeks of the test. 



