qio EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



4-5 EDWARD Vil-, A. 1905 



DiyiSIO:N^ OF EISTTOMOLOGY. 



CEREALS. 



The season of 1904 in all parts of the Dominion has been remarkably irre^iar 

 and uncertain. Extensive areas have suffered from drought, while in other places 

 there has been trouble from too much rain at certain periods ; crops, accordingly, 

 liarf: been very irregular. Through the greater part of the Maritime Provinces and in 

 the eastern part of the province of Quebec, a prolonged drought during the months of 

 June, July and August reduced enormously all hay and grain crops. In the western 

 portion of the province of Quebec and in eastern Ontario, weather conditions were 

 very favourable and excellent crops of grain and hay were secured. In western 

 Ontario, on the other hand, and in the whole of the province of British Columbia, hot dry 

 weather prevailed and somewhat reduced crops of all kinds. The Ontario November crop 

 report describes the wheat crop as below the average and rather light in weight ; bar- 

 ley as one of the most successful crops of the year; oats a splendid crop, yield and 

 quality most gratifying. Throughout the Dominion, however, the season on the wbole 

 has been cool and backward. In the North-west Territories and Mamitoba the growing 

 season began late; but with improved summer conditions and no killing frosts until 

 rather later than usual, a large crop was reaped. The quality was not quite as higli 

 as was at one time hoped for, owing to rain at harvest time and slight frosts in some 

 localities, and also to a certain amoxint of injury by rust. Bust is almost unknown in 

 the West as a serious enemy of cereal crops; but during the past season a more severe 

 epidemic of this destructive parasite made itself manifest towards the end of August, 

 than has ever previously been recorded. Mr. J. R. C. Honeyman, the Deputy Com- 

 missioner of Agriculture for the North-west Territories, although stating that the 

 presence of rust last siimmer was a factor to be considered, claims that practically it 

 di.l not affect the crops in the Territories to any appreciable degree. Writing on 

 November 16, he says : * There is a large amount of very good grain in the country, and 

 prices are satisfactory. However, a comparatively small proportion of the crop has 

 been marketed, owing to the continued fine weather, which enables farmers even at the 

 date of writing to continue their fall ploughing.' 



Mr. J. R. Anderson, Deputy Minister of Agriculture for British Columbia, 

 wrUes : ' The abnormally dry season which extended through the whole of the pio- 

 vince, had the effect of reducing considerably the production of all crops in those 

 parts where irrigation is not practised, because it is unnecessary. Spring wheat was 

 generally a failure where it is grown for milling purposes. Fall wheat was better, but 

 on the whole, milling wheat was short. Nevertheless, some fine samples were prr^- 

 duced. Kansas Red from Spallumcheen weighed 69i lbs. per bushel, with a fine, hard, 

 plump grain. Oats and other small grains were good where the seed was got in early, 

 and on irrigated land. In dry regions these crops were indifferent.' 



In Northern Alberta the summer was fine and dry, and grain crops were better 

 than they had been for two or three years, except in some instances where poor seed 

 oats had been sown. No mention was made of rust. In Manitoba, however, the 

 injury by the Black Stem Rust caused great anxiety to farmers. Some crops were 

 actually cut green or before they were ripe to save further damage. The districts most 

 affected were between Brandon and Winnipeg and in the south and west of the pro- 

 vince. Loss from this cause was not confined to the West. Reports from Ontario and 

 Quebec mention rust on wheat, oats and barley, and a consequent shrinkage in those 



