DIVIi<lOX OF FOR AVE PLAy'TS 917 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 15 



EXPERIMENTAL FARM, INDIAN HEAD, SASK. 



REPOST OF THE SUPERINTENDENT, T. J. HARRISON, B.S.A. 



WEATHER COXDITIOXS. 



On the whole, the weather conditions during the summer of 1913 were excellent 

 for the production of good crops of fodder. While the spring was a little dry for the 

 early growth of pasture grasses, sufficient rain fell during June and early July to 

 stimulate a fair growth before haying commenced. The 4--37 inches of rain that fell 

 in July made it difficult, in many cases, to get the hay well cured. It, however, 

 started the aftermath and good second crops of alfalfa and clover were cut. The fall 

 frosts were late and allowed the corn to become well matured for silage before cutting. 

 The snow and rain in October made it difficult to harvest the roots. These were not 

 a very hea-vj' crop owing to the dry weather in Aagust and September. 



IXDIAX CORN. 



In an all-grain-gnwing district the big problem is how to control the noxious 

 weeds. Summer-fallow uig undoubtedly has it* place, but few farmers care to summer- 

 fallow a lield two years in succession, which seems to be necessary to eradicate some 

 of our perennial weeds. The problem then is to grow a crop after summer-fallow 

 that will have a cleaning effect, and at the same time produce a revenue. Indian 

 corn allowing inter-tillage seems to be best suited for this purpose. The Farm does 

 not at present pretend to produce grain, but the value of corn as winter fodder is 

 greater than some of the hay crops. To obtain the best results it should be ensiled. 

 This of cojirse necessitates the erection of a silo, and not every person has capital to 

 invest in this manner. They should not, however, delay starting to raise corn for 

 this reason, because good results are obtained by curing the corn in stooks and feed- 

 ing from the stook. To make the best fodder the plants should be allowed to mature 

 until the grain is glazed. It is better to cut before this stage is reached if there is 

 danger of frost, as frozen corn is of little use for feed. What is required in a variety 

 for southern Saskatchewan is early maturity and high yield of stalk and leaf. 



Indian Corn.— Test of Varieties. 



This test included ten varieties. They were planted on summer-fallow in drills 

 3 feet apart, at about the rate of 30 pounds of seed per acre. Each variety was 

 sown in duplicate plots consisting'each of two rows T2i feet long, making each plot 

 Vioo of an acre in area. The yield was calculated from the average of the two plots. 



