REPORT or rnn dtrfctor 71 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



LIVK STOCK. 



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Cattle. — -There are two cows l^ept at the Experimental Station. Tliese are of the 

 dual-purpose Shorthorn type, and supply sufficient milk for the requirements of the 

 families living- at the Station. There were purchased last year two Ilolstcin heiters 

 of good breeding. 



Horses. — The five work horses and two drivers kept at the Station were in good 

 condition throughout the past year, and were sufficient to do the >vork. At time? it 

 was necessary to call on one of the drivers to help out in the farm work. 



Owing to tlie extension of the farm it was necessary to purchase eight more 

 work horses in March. Two of these are of the Belgian draught type and the remain- 

 der of the Clydesdale type. 



WATER SUPPLY. 



The water used at the Station has been supplied by shallow wells, and has been 

 insufficient for the requirements. A well was drilled to a depth of 106 feet, and a sup- 

 ply of water obtained reaching to within 20 feet of the surface of the ground. After 

 pumping for a day the supply was shut off by sediment. This was cleaned out and the- 

 pumps started again with the same result. An attempt will be made to solve the diffi- 

 culty during the coming season. 



EXPERIMENTAL STATION, SCOTT, SASK. 



CHARACTER OF SEASON. 



Without exception, the season of 1914 was the most unfavourable for crop yields 

 c\'er experienced in northwestern Saskatchewan. The snowfall during the winter of 

 1913-14 was very light. Spring opened up about the usual time. Seeding operations 

 commenced on April 11. Typical April weather was experienced, with low tempera- 

 tures, and more rainfall than in previous years. May was considerably warmer with 

 a few small showers. The usual June rains did not materialize, and July and the first 

 of August were warm and dry. During the last of July and the first part of 

 August, hot winds prevailed, which did considerable damage to crops of all kinds. 

 Considerable rain fell during September and first part of October, which, while too 

 late to benefit the past season's crop, left the ground in good condition for ploughing, 

 and for the succeeding season's crop operations. Total precipitation from April 1 to 

 August 15 was 7-22 inches. 



TESTS OF CEREALS. 



The comparative test of varieties of cereals is one of the most important of the 

 many lines of experimental work conducted on this Station. 



In varieties of wheat tested, Marquis and Red Eife have again demonstrated their 

 superiority. In the test of oats. Banner gave the heaviest yield, while Ligowo holds 

 the record for three-year average. Victory, which had given such splendid yields in 

 the two previous years, was accidentally omitted from the test. O. A. C. No. 21, and 

 Kanchurian are two of the most satisfactory varieties of six-row barleys. Duckbill, a 

 two-row variety, has yielded remarkably well. The Arthur peas have proved to be 

 earlier maturing and higher yielding than any other variety tested on the Station. 



FIELD HUSBANDRY. 



Crop rotation. — The crop rotations on this Station have not been imder way for 

 a sufficient period to warrant definite statements being: made as to the relative merits 

 of the different systems. Especially is this the case where the treatment calls for 



