REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR 29 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



Pioneer. — This is a new wheat introduced this winter for test in those districts 

 where Marquis is too hite in ripening and where there is not sufficient rainfall for 

 Prelude. Pioneer ripens between Marquis and Prelude, and has shown superior 

 ability to resist drought. The kernels of this wheat are red and very hard. It 

 yields flour of excellent colour and strength. 



Marquis. — This iN?markable variety has again won the highest award in inter- 

 national competition. At Tulsa, Oklahoma, last autumn the first prize at the Inter- 

 national Dry Farming Congress was won by an exhibit of this variety grown by Mr. 

 Paul Gerlach, of Allan, Sask. This is the third international triumph in succession 

 for Marquis wheat. 



MILLING AND BAKING TESTS. 



The appointment of a special assistant for milling and baking researches has made 

 possible the enlargement of this branch of the work. Tests can now be made, as 

 often as is necessary, of the new varieties of wheat which are being produced here, 

 as well as those obtained from outside sources. Baking tests of flour of doubtful 

 quality are also being made for the public whenever such samples are submitted. 



DISTRIBUTION OP SAMPLES OF SEED GRAIN AND POTATOES. 



The annual free distribution of samples of seed grain and pKJtatoes has been 

 conducted as usual, and is now drawing to a close. The total number of samples 

 distributed this year will he over 9,200, about a thousand in excess of last year. The 

 principal varieties sent out are Banner and Ligowo oats. Marquis and Prelude 

 ■rvheats, Manchurian barley, Arthur jpeas and Gold Coin potatoes. The great 

 decrease in the number of applications for Red Fife during the last three years 

 has been a very striking feature of the distribution. This year less than 2O0 samples 

 of this variety are being sent out. The largest number of samples di>tributed this 

 season to one province will be over 3,100 to Quebec. Ontario is receiving the next 

 largest number, nearly 2,000. 



DIVISION OF BOTANY. 



The work of the Division of Botany includes tAvo main groups, viz.. Plant 

 Pathology and Economic Botany. In addition, the Dominion Botanist has charge 

 of the Botanic Gardens and that part in the administration of the Destructive Insect 

 and Pest Act dealing with diseases of plants due to fungi and bacteria- 



THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE DESTRUCTIVE INSECT AND PEST ACT. 



As indicated in the last report, the efforts of the officers and inspectors appointed 

 under this Act were mainly directed against the introduction or spread of malig- 

 nant potato diseases. The discovery of Powdery Scab (Sjinngospora suhterranea) in 

 the eastern provinces of Canada, particularly in shipments mad-e to the United Statfs, 

 prompted that country to place an embargo upon all Canadian i)otatoes. The 

 Dominion Botanist is able to report that while powdery scab exists in the afl^ected areas, 

 it has not actually shown itself destructive. The infections are slight and the market 



