238 



EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. 



heads on ten feet square. Common drill used, soil clay loam, sown 10th May, cut 

 241 h Anarust. 



VARIETIES OP OATS. 



Forty-five varieties of oats have been tested on the Experimental Farm this 

 year, and although the season has been unfavourable the yield was large and the 

 weight per bushel fair. 



It is customary in this country to sow oats on land unfit for wheat, and for 

 that reason the grain throughout the central and western portions of the pro- 

 vince suflTered very severely from the unfavourable weather during August. 



On the Experimental Farm, nearly all the oats were sown on summer-fallow and 

 the drought and hot winds have had very little effect on the yield, but the straw 

 was shorter than usual, but stitf and free from rust. 



That excellent variety the Banner oat has again made a good record for itself, 

 yielding 91 bushels per acre. Although this variety has been introduced for a 

 number of years, it is still one of the best oats we have, being productive, with a 

 kernel of medium weight, white in colour, and apparently thin hulled. 



The following varieties have been tested this year for the first time. 



Wide Awake, — a white branching oat, productive, but rather light in weight for 

 a white oat, this variety yielded Q'6 bushels per acre, the best retui-n from the new 

 varieties of the year. 



Imported Irish, — white, with a branching head medium early, the straw of this 

 variety was quite rank for the season, and free of rust. 



Cave, — a rather short strawed white oat, with a very handsome branching head, 

 yield 65 bushels : this variety was badly beaten out by wind, otherwise it would 

 have made a better return. 



Golden Beauty, — a late ripening white oat, with long straw and kernel : this 

 variety is the lightest weighing oat of the season. 



White Wonder, — a very early ripening variety, maturing in 93 days, and like all 

 oats of its class, it weighs well. Oderbruch, a promising side oat, but rather light 

 in weight. Scottish Chief and Canadian Beauty are both early, white oats with 

 branching heads, the last named ripens with the Welcome, but does not equal that 

 variety in productiveness. The Columbus has proved both unproductive and light 

 in weight, and its yellow colour is against it. 



