3S6 



EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



1-2 EDWARD VI f., A. 1902 



On the Experimental Farm the yield of wheat was gen rally above the average, 

 the only exceptions being the varieties particularly subject to rust, some of these gave 

 a very poor yield of shrivelled grain. 



Among the varieties tested this year, for the first time, are a number from Aus- 

 tralia. These were, with one exception, badly rusted and the yield was small. Aus- 

 tralian No. 13 had good clean straw and was quite productive, but the kernel was small 

 and light. The heads of all the Australian varieties were large, and it is possible 

 that they may compare more favourably in a dry year. 



Four interesting varieties were received from the Minnesota Experiment Station. 

 These had long but open heads and none of them equalled the Red Fife in productive- 

 ness. 



The Goose wheat is again near the head of the list. It was the only variety per- 

 fectly free of rust, the straw remaining clean and bright all through the wet harvest 

 weather. The grain is very flinty and not marketable here. 



Four of the cross-bred varieties, originated at the Experimental Farms, have this 

 year surpassed the Red Fife for productiveness. One of these, ' Crown,' is also second 

 on the list of the best twelve varieties for the past five years. 



There was a remarkable absence of smut in the wheat this year. This is particu- 

 larly fortunate for had it been otherwise, the wet harvest and threshing season would 

 have very thoroughly distributed the spores, greatly injuring the sample. 



Owing to the unfavourable weather during the latter gart of the season, most of 

 the grain will grade No. 1 and No. 2 Northern. 



About half an acre each of fall wheat and rye were sown during the month of 

 August last. The plants became firmly rooted and were from four to six inches high 

 when winter set in. 



Seventy-two varieties of spring wheat were tested this year. They were all sown 

 on the second and third of May, on a sandy loam soil, in plots of one-twentieth of an 

 acre each. 



"Wheat — Test of Varieties. 



