DIVISION OF CEREALS 753 



SESSIONAL PAPER Mo. 16 



PBELFDE WHEAT. 



The reports received from the farmers to whom samples of Prelude wheat were 

 sent last spring' show that this new variety will be of great value over large areas 

 of country, on account of its extreme earliness in ripening. Its peculiar character- 

 istics must, hoM^ever, be taken into consideration whenever it is sown. Owing to 

 the rapidity with which it grows during the early part of the season, it cannot with- 

 stand drought at that time so well as the later-maturing varieties, the progress of 

 which can be delayed by drought without serious consequences. It is possible that 

 late sowing of Prelude wheat may be advisable in some instances, if by such a pro- 

 cedure one can be reasonably certain to avoid a long early drought, and place the 

 seed in the soil shortly before a period of fair rainfall. Some complaints of, the 

 shelling out of Prelude wheat when allowed to stand until quite ripe, indicate the 

 necessity of cutting this variety before it reaches full maturity. This will make 

 the average date of cutting, in central Alberta and Saskatchewan, very early in 

 August, or possibly sometimes even at the end of July." - At Ottawa, Prelude is 

 usually ready to cut about ten days before the end of July. 



PIONEER WHEAT. 



It has appeared necessary to name and introduce another new variety of wheat 

 to meet certain special requirements in portions of Saskatchewan and Alberta. The 

 cross-bred variety hitherto known as 195 F has been named Pioneer. This wheat 

 resembles Prelude in some respects, but has shown considerable ability to resist 

 drought. Last season it gave excellent results at the Experimental Station at Leth- 

 bridge, both on non-irrigated and irrigated land. It is recommended for trial in 

 localities where a very early-ripening variety is needed, and where the rainfall is 

 not sufficient to ensure success with Prelude. 



Pioneer is a selection from the progeny of a cross made in 1903 by the Dominion 

 Cerealist between Riga and Preston wheats. In earliness the new variety stands 

 between the two parents, or it may be described as ripening about midway between 

 Prelude and Marquis. Pioneer is bearded and has smooth chaff. The straw is of 

 fair length, rather long for so early a wheat, and though not of very great strength 

 it appears to be quite strong enough for the districts for which it is recommended. 

 Pioneer should not be sown in any locality where the tendency is towards long straw. 

 Under such conditions, the straw of this variety would probably be too long and 

 weak. Furthermore, Pioneer is liable to rust and other diseases in moderately moist 

 climates. 



The kernels of Pioneer arc rod and of exceptional hardness and high weight per 

 bushel. The flour obtained from it is of excellent colour and very high baking 

 strength. 



Pioneer has been tested for some years at Ottawa and on some of the branch 

 Farms. This spring a few samples have been distributed to farmers in Alberta 

 and Saskatchewan. It is not expected that this wheat will be of value in the most 

 famous spring wheat areas, but it will probably serve a very good purpose in some 

 sections for which there has been no suitable sort up to the present time. 



Farmers who require an earlier vfiriety than Marquis and who find Prelude too 

 short in the straw should write for a free sample of Pioneer. 



DISTRIBUTION OF SAMPLES OF SEED GRAIN AND POTATOES. 



The annual distribution has been carried on as usual during the past winter. A 

 good stock of grain of superior quality was on hand, the seed of most varieties having 

 been grown at Indian Head, Sask., and Brandon, Man. Some Prelude wheat was 



Ottawa. 



