298 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



1-2 EDWARD VII., A. 1902 



near the surface of the soil since that is the part most likely to suffer from evapora- 

 tion. 



In addition, while increasing the water holding power of a soil it increases the 

 heat absorbing power and so promotes growth in that way ; heat and moisture, a3 

 stated above, making the best combination for rapid growth. 



The continued cropping of our farm lands without an adequate return of farm- 

 yard manure or the sufficient use of clover has resulted in the poor condition of 

 many farms. The addition of humus to such so-called fertility depleted areas soon 

 insures good crops and an apparent return of all the virgin richness. 



Humus is decayed vegetable matter. — Farm-yard manure, clover roots, and green 

 crops ploughed under are its most fruitful sources. Its place is near the surface. 

 It can be kept there by surface cultivation. 



ESTIMATING COST OF PRODUCTION. 



The importance of determining cost of production of our grain and forage crop3 

 is scarcely questionable. The climatic, and soil factors must, however, always be of 

 primary importance, and on that account all estimates must be more or less par- 

 ticular in their bearing rather than general. 



In the estimates which are included in the following reports on the different 

 crops, rent, manure, labour, material (seed, twine, &c), and wear and tear are con- 

 sidered. The item of supervision, of considerable moment on such farms as this, 

 has been omitted, since most farmers in Canada do much of their own work, as well 

 as direct the labour of such men as they employ. 



The digestibility of a feed is another factor which must enter materially into 

 any consideration of its economy of production, since, as is well known, the digesti- 

 bility of our feeding stuffs ranges from about 25 per cent of the dry matter to prac- 

 tically 100 per cent of the whole thing. 



In dividing the cost of production of a grain crop between the straw and grain, 

 however, where the digestible dry matter of the one part is so different in composition 

 and value from that of the other, some additional standard is necessary. Since pro- 

 tein is that part of any ration the most expensive to supply, it was decided to make 

 the digestible protein the basis of value. It is, of course, well understood that pro- 

 tein is not the only important constituent of straw. Frequently it is of very minor 

 consideration indeed, as when used for litter, since about 29-30 of the whole dry 

 matter is of equal or even greater value as absorbent material. 



CROP ON THE 200 ACRE FARM 



OATS. 



Seven varieties of oats were grown ; they were Banner, Siberian, Tartar King, 

 Waverly, Goldfinder, Scotch Potato and Improved Ligowo. They were sown on land 

 that had been in roots or corn the preceding year. As the land was not of uniform 

 character, the results will not indicate the comparative productivity of the different 

 varieties. 



The particulars of the lots sown are as follows : 



Banner. — 16 acres, sown May 4, 2 bushels per acre ; matured in 91 days, August 

 6. Yielded 45 bushels 2 pounds per acre. Mer»ured bushel weighed 35 pounds. 



