UKl'ORT OF MR. AXOiS 3IACKA7 419 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



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. 



WORKIXG LAND AFTER FIRST CROP. 



Inquiries are often made as to what should be done after taking off the first crop 

 on new land, the question being as to whether the land should be ploughed, or culti- 

 \ated, 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 xifter 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 repeated every third year, the settler will have 

 started on the right road to future success. 



SJIUT. 



On account of many new settlers coming into the country each year that can have 

 ;io idea of the prevalence of smut, especially in the wheat crop, and the serious loss 

 caused by this fungous disease, I submit the results obtained during the past years on 

 this farm for their guidance. 



Bunt or stinking smut in wheat is a fungous disease that attacks the grain more 

 or less each year, and where at all bad, the crop is rendered unsaleable, and v/ith only a 

 few heads affected, if threshed in damp weather, the grade and price are reduced. No 

 district is proof against smut, and though more prevalent in some seasons than others, 

 it is wise to guard against all danger from this source each year. Three remedies have 

 been tried repeatedly; these are, treating the seed with Bluestone (Copper Sulphate), 

 with Formalin and with Massel powder. Bluestone, from cheapness, ease in applica- 

 tion and effectual cure, has proven the best for wheat, while formalin has given the 

 best results with smut in oats and barley. While formalin is not more expensive than 

 bluestone, the application is more difficult in the seed having to be soaked longer. 



For wheat apparently free from smut, 1 pound of bluestone crushed and dissolved 

 in warm water and mixed with 10 gallons water, and the seed sprinkled with, or dipped 

 in the solution, is sufficient for 10 bushels. For wheat at all affected, 1 pound blue- 

 stone to 5 bushels seed is required. The seed can be sprinkled or dipped as is most 

 convenient, but, in sprinkling, care must be taken that every grain is wet with the 

 solution. 



For smut in oats or barley, 1 pound of formalin (which is a liquid), is sufficient 

 for 50 bushels seed. If the seed is smutty the solution should be 8 or 9 ounces formalin 

 to 10 gallons of water; if not smutty, 4 J ounces to the same quantity of water. 



The seed should be soaked from 5 minutes to 2 hours, according to condition of 

 grain and strength of solution. 



EXPERi:\rENTS WITH OATS. 



The yield of all varieties in both uniform plots and field lots, while not as high 

 •as in former years, was quite satisfactory. As will be seen. Banner again heads the 

 list in both tests. The dry spell in June and first week in July reduced the yield con- 

 siderably. 



16— 27i 



