944 EXPEIUMEXTAL FARMS 



5 GEORGE v., A. 1915 



EXPERIMENTAL FARM, AGASSIZ, B.C. 



REPOKT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT, P. H. MOORE, B.S.A. 



INDIAN CORN AND FIELD ROOTS. 



Variety tests were conducted with a number of varieties of Indian corn, turnips, 

 mangels, carrots, and sugar beets. 



Every variety was grown in two plots, situated some distance apart in the field 

 allotted to the experiments. 



In some cases the two plots of the same variety yielded exactly the same, while 

 in others there was a marked difference between them. 



This difference in yield between two plots of exactly the same variety, due to 

 slight variation of the soil, tends to emphasize the value of the double-plot system. 



By calculating the yield of a variety from the average yield of two plots, more 

 reliable figures will be obtained as to the yielding capacity of the variety in question 

 than if the yield were based on the crop harvested from a single plot only. 



Indian Corn, 



The fodder corn was planted on fall-ploughed land which was not particularly 

 fertile an 1 which was quite badly infested with couch grass. The planting of these 

 plots was done somewhat later than usual, which influenced to sortie extent the yield of 

 the various plots. The vitality of some of the seed was not up to standard and it was 

 planted accordingly, in some cases as many as eight seeds to the hill. This, however, 

 gave a hundred per cent stand, and in some cases a little thinning had to be done. 

 The plots were planted in hills 3 feet apart, as this distance has proved the best in 

 our experience. .^ 



As, according to experience gained through experiments during a number of 

 years, in nearly every case the yields of ensilage bear a direct relation to the strength 

 and ^er cent of germination, it is of the greatest importance that all com seed be 

 tested before planting. 



It is furthermore of importance that right varieties be chosen for ensilage. 



As, under ordinary conditions, there is no danger of the corn becoming too ripe 

 for ensilage, and, furthermore, as the later varieties generally do not mature enough, 

 it is evident that the early varieties are preferable to the late ones. From a general 

 point of view, the corn that grows \mtil the grain is in the soft dough stage is the 

 most satisfactory to handle, store and feed. 



Of the eight varieties of Indian corn grown, Compton's Early gave slightly the 

 highest yield, followed closely by Early Longfellow. Although sometimes not making 

 quite the highest yield these two varieties usually give the best results from a silage 

 standpoint, and can therefore be recommended for general use. 



Fnder trial are, however, some new varieties which may prove superior in time. 



A small plot of seed was ripened but of this we can say but little at present. 

 The quality was only fair. Although a small quantity of good seed was obtained, the 

 bulk of the crop consisted of nubbins. 



