REPORT OF MR. ANGUS MACKAY ' 50? 



-SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



breaking and back-setting would give more satisfactory results, consists in the turn- 

 ing over of the sod as deep as possible ; usually from 4 to 5 inches. 



When the sod has rotted, the top-soil should be worked and made as fine as pos- 

 sible. The use of harrow or disc will fill up all irregularities on the surface, and make 

 a fine, even seed bed. 



Whether the land is broken shallow or deep, it is necessary to have the work com- 

 pleted early, so as to take advantage of the rains which usually come during June or 

 early in July. These rains cause the sod to rot, and without them or if the ploughing 

 is done after they are over, the sod remains in the same condition as when turned, 

 and no amount of work will make up for the loss. 



To some districts near the foot-hills of the mountains and in districts where 

 scrub abounds, and the sod is thin, these remarks may not apply, but, as a rule, 

 throughout the Territories, early breaking, whether deep or shallow, is advisable. 



WORKING LAND AFTER FIRST CROP. 



Inquiries are often made as to what should be done after taking off the first crop 

 on new land, the principal being as to whether the land should be ploughed, or culti- 

 vated, or sown without any cultivation whatever. 



This, however, can only be determined by circumstances. In districts with heavy 

 clay soil, a satisfactory crop may be expected from burning the stubble of the former 

 crop and sowing with or without cultivation ; although a shallow cultivation after the 

 stubble is burnt usually gives the best results. 



In districts with light soils and especially with gravelly subsoil, cultivation be- 

 fore seeding is necessary. 



After taking the second crop from breaking or back-setting, there can be no 

 doubt that the land should bo well fallowed to put it in proper condition for succeed- 

 ing crops. If the fallow is well made and the process is repeated every third year, 

 the settler will have started on the right road to future success. 



CATTLE. 



The herd of pure-bred cattle on the Farm is growing slowly and needs new blood 

 to improve its quality. 



When the Holsteins were dispensed with there were only six pure-bred Short-horn 

 females on the Farm, and from these the increase has been very slow, from the fact 

 that the calves have been nearly all males, which have been sold or sent to other Ex- 

 perimental Farms. 



At present the herd consists of thirteen pure-bred Short-horn females and four 

 bulls, and one bull each of the Guernsey and Ayrshire breeds. There are also eighteen 

 grades. 



A few first-class Short-horn females are greatly needed to keep the herd on the 

 Farm up to, the requirements of the country. 



Fifteen Short-horn grade steers have been purchased this fall for use in a feeding 

 test which will be carried on during the winter. 



Since last report, the following pure-bred male has been sold for breeding purpose : 

 Short-horn ' Strathcona,' to A. Isbister, Fort Qu'Appelle. 



TE>T OF DEHORNING STEERS. 



During the autumn of 1900, fifteen 3-year-old steers were Obtained from ranchers 

 in the vicinity of Indian Head for use in the test of the practicability of dehorning. 



On November 27, after a preparatory feeding of forty-two days, a sixteen weeks' 

 test was commenced to determine : 



