DIVISION OF CEREALS 415 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 15 



course in this case the wheat did not ripen so early as it would have done had it 

 been sown more thickly. One would not advise extremely thin seeding under ordin- 

 ary circumstances, but it is perhaps justifiable when only a very small quantity of 

 seed can be obtained, and when its value is (as in the present instance) quite beyond 

 any ordinary scale of prices. 



The conclusions to be drawn from the experience of this past season confirm 

 those of previous years. Prelude wheat can be unhesitatingly recommended as the 

 best variety available for districts where extreme earliness is necessary and where 

 there is a tendency toward the production of long straw. For dry districts, where 

 straw is apt to be short, Prelude cannot be recommended. The Dominion Cerealist 

 hopes to introduce a very early-maturing sort in the near future which, though not 

 quite so early in ripening as Prelude, will produce somewhat longer straw. A very 

 early-maturing wheat with decidedly long straw may perhaps be an impossibility. 



The regular distribution of Prelude wheat in five-pound samples was commenced 

 this winter. As there was on hand only a very small stock of seed, compared with 

 the amount asked for, it was necessary to refuse most of the applications which were 

 received, especially those from districts where the need of this particular variety was 

 not so very great. More than 200 samples were sent out, chiefly to northern localities 

 in what may be roughly described as the settled areas of Saskatchewan and Alberta. 

 Provision has been made for a good acreage of Prelude on the Experimental Farms 

 this season, so that there may be a large stock for distribution, and perhaps some 

 seed for sale also next winter. 



DISTRIBUTION OF SEED GRAIN BY MAIL. 



The annual free distribution of seed grain and potatoes, which is now in progress, 

 is being carried on in a manner similar to that of the previous year. The grain for 

 distribution was grown chiefly on the Experimental Farms at Indian Head and 

 Brandon. Some Ottawa seed is also being used; and the stock of potatoes has been 

 obtained entirely from a field grown on the Central Experimental Farm under the 

 supervision of the Dominion Botanist. In spite of the unfavourable character of 

 the season, both the yield and quality of these potatoes were unusually good. 



All grain for distribution is grown with the greatest care, so as to be free from 

 admixture with other varieties, and after threshing it is thoroughly cleaned by the 

 best obtainable grain-cleaning machinery and, finally, it is hand-picked if necessary 

 to remove any remaining impurities. By these precautions we are able to send out 

 seed of the very highest type, distinctly superior, as a rule, to the best commercial 

 stocks. While the adoption of so high a standard makes it impossible to distribute 

 as large amounts as in years gone by, there is no doubt of the advantages of the 

 present system. Reasonable regulations are now being enforced so that samples of 

 seed are only sent to those applicants whose requests give evidence of some thought. 

 Those who have failed to send a report on a sample received in a previous season are 

 not eligible for further samples. 



In any free distribution carried on under Government auspices some dissatisfac- 

 tion is sure to arise; but, considering its inherent difficulties, the claim may fairly be 

 made that this distribution is now managed in such a way as to give general satisfac- 

 tion. Undoubtedly it is proving of immense value to Canada. 



The principal varieties distributed this season are as follows: — 



Spring wheat. — Marquis, Bed Fife, White Fife, Huron, Prelude. 



Barley. — Manchurian (6-row), Canadian Thorpe (2-row). 



Oats.- — Banner, Abundance, Ligowo, Daubeney. 



Peas. — Arthur. Golden Vine. 



Potatoes. — Irish Cobbler, Gold Coin, Carman No. 1, Delaware. 



