64 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



5 GEORGE v., A. 1915 



During the growing period of June and July, S-3 inches of rain fell, result- 

 ing in a luxuriant growth of stem and leaf. A large crop of hay was harvested, 

 but was somewhat difficult to cure because of the rains during July. The cereal 

 crop ripened comparatively early and was all harvested before any frost appeared. 

 The winter of 1913-14 was comparatively mild and stock wintered outside in good 

 condition. 



INVESTIGATIONS IN PROGRESS. 



Cereals. — Four named varieties of wheat were tested on the Farm in 1913. Of 

 the named sorts the Marquis and Red Fife seem best adapted to the climatic and 

 soil conditions of southern Saskatchewan. The Prelude, while maturing much 

 earlier than either of these sorts, seems unlikely to become a commercial wheat 

 in this portion of the province because of its inferior yield. 



Of twelve varieties of oats, the Banner seems to give best results. This is 

 very noticeable when the average for five or ten years is taken. It yields high and 

 produces an oat of good quality both for milling and feed. Another promising sort 

 is the Victory. This has not been under test long enough, however, to enable its 

 being recommended as highly as the Banner. 



Among the six-row barley, Manchurian and O.A.C. No. 2rl are the highest 

 yielders and among the earliest maturers. 



The two-row sorts are not giving as good result as are the six. They are 

 usually weaker in the straw and do not yield so well. 



It is only recently that varieties of flax have been been isolated, but last season 

 there were about ten varieties tested and among these the Premost was both tlie 

 highest yielder and the earliest maturer. 



In the introduction of peas in the west, early maturity is one of the most 

 important points. For this reason, the Arthur pea is recommended. Another 

 promising sort is the Solo. The Solo is an importation from Sweden and has not 

 been under test long enough for final conclusion as to its value. 



Forage crops. — Of the forage crops, grass is one of the most important. The 

 results of a test made with different sorts on this Farm seem to indicate that, for 

 hay, Western rye will give best results in this district. Brome is an excellent 

 pasture grass but has two objections. The first is, it is hard to eradicate when the 

 land is broken up, and the second is that it has a tendency to spread into adjoin- 

 ing fields and especially into hedges and windbreaks where it will eventually kill 

 out the trees. This is more noticeable on heavy soils and where precipitation is over 

 twenty inches per annum. Where these conditions prevail English Blue grass will 

 make a good substitute. 



The clovers are not well adapted to the light rainfalls of southern Saskatchewan. 

 Among the different kinds, the common red clover seems to give best results. 



Alfalfa is probably the best suited to western conditions of any of the legumes. 

 It is drouth-resistant and if northern grown sorts are obtained, it proves to bs 

 perfectly hardy. Among the sorts giving best results on the Indian Head Farm 

 are the Grimm and the Baltic. 



Fodder corn is a crop that should not be neglected on any stock farm. It 

 gives a large yield of succulent fodder. Last season a large quantity of corn 

 ensilage was fed on this Farm and proved very valuable for both milch cows and 

 fattening steers. Among the varieties best adapted -to conditions here are North- 

 western Dent and Longfellow. The former is usually the better becavise of its 

 early-maturing character. 



Varieties of turnips, mangels, sugar beets and carrots are grown each t-eason 

 on this Farm. In all about five acres of land is devoted to the purpose, as a large 

 quantity of roots is required for winter feeding. Swedes .are proving very satis- 

 factory for conditions here. 



