REPORT OF TEE CEREALIST 207 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



8 C) was subjected to a partial analysis by the chemist of the experimental farms and 

 shiowed the remarkably high protein content of lY^ per cent. Another variety (9 J 3) 

 showed more than 17 per cent of protein. 



Among the new sorts of wheat recently obtained from other countries the variety 

 called ' Bobs,' which is of high quality, was watched with special interest this season. 

 A few seeds of this wheat were sent to this farm by the originator, Mr. Wm. Farrer, 

 of New South Wales, who states that in the warmer districts of that colony it shows 

 considerable power to resist rust. It did not, however, withstand the attaclis of rust 

 in the climate of Ottawa, this season, so well as several of our s.tandard sorts. 



Another very interesting variety, which has been named Aurora, may also be 

 mentioned. It was obtained by the selection of a very early and strong plant obtained 

 by growing some mixed wheat imported from India. The amount of seed of Aurora 

 on hand did not permit the sowing of one-fortieth of an acre this season, but the small 

 plot sown ripened on July 21st, having matured in the remarkably short time of 87 

 days. This is our earliest wheat. It produces hard red kernels of good quality, 

 but appears to be only moderately productive and has short straw. It will be further 

 tested. It was crossed with Red Fife in 1904 and the plants raised this season from 

 the cross-fertilised seeds were vigorous and early. They seem likely to give rise to 

 some important new wheats. 



VISIT TO MANITOBA AND SASKATCHEWAN. 



About harvest time the writer travelled through portions of Manitoba and Sas- 

 katchewan for the purpose of studying the wheat fields in those provinces as well as 

 to inspect the uniform test plots of cereals on the branch experimental farms. The 

 principal points visited were Indian Head, Brandon, Neepawa and Dauphin. Much 

 information of value was obtained and many interesting samples of grain were col- 

 lected. The wheat fields in both of the provinces visited were found almost invariably 

 to contain a noteworthy proportion of varieties other than true Red Fife, amounting 

 iu some instnnces to about 50 per cent. Many of these sorts are easily distinguishable 

 from Red Fife, and could be eliminated by any farmer who would take pains to purify 

 his seed. The commonest kind is a bearded wheat with red chaff which has been known 

 in some localities under the name of Assiniboia wheat. There are perhaps two or 

 three slightly different varieties included under this name, but it may conveniently be 

 used for them all as they are very much alike. Altogether there were found about 

 fixfteen varieties mixed with Red Fife. The study of these is not yet completed, but 

 ifc appears that, with the exception of White Fife, which is seldom met with, they are 

 all inferior to Red Fife for the production of strong flour, and are, therefore, a menace 

 to the reputation of the wheat of these provinces. The varieties with very short heads 

 (club wheats) are especially poor and should be regarded in almost the same light as 

 noxious weeds. 



CEREALS IN THE PEACE RIVER COUNTRY. 



'Samples of such varieties of grain as seem likely to be of value to settlers in the 

 district drained by the Peace River are sent to them from time to time from this farm. ' 

 Some reports and samples have been received back from these settlers. 



Mr. Allan Brick, of Peace River Landing, sent very good samples of Stanley and 

 Preston wheat and Tartar King oats from the crop of 1904. 



Mr. Charles Bremner, of Spirit River, reported concerning the season of 1904 : 

 * The barley (Odessa) produced good samples, also the oata (Tartar King), but the 

 wheat was badly frozen in July and August.' 



