332 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



5-6 EDWARD VII., A. 1905 



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 grow.th 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 fal- 

 lows 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 of 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 wel; 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; sur- 

 face cultivated during the growing season, and ploughed shallow (3 to 4 inches deep) in 

 the autumn. 



Ilesidt. — Poor crop in a dry year; medium crop in a wet year. Not sufficiently 

 stirred to enable soil to retain the moisture. 



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

 tivated 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. 



Result. — Sufficient moisture conserved for a dry year, and not too much for a wet 

 one. Pew or no weeds, as all the seeds near the surface have germinated and been 

 killed. Surface soil apt to blow raore readily than when either of the other methods is 

 followed. For the past fourteen years, the best, safest and cleanest grain has been 

 grown on fallow worked in this way, and the method is therefore recommended. 



Fallows that have been ploughed for the first time after the fijst 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 firet 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 conserved 

 by surface cultivation. 



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

 ure 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 

 materially enrich the land. 



