1008 EXPERIMEXTAL FARMS 



7 GEORGE V, A. 1917 



CENTRAL EXPERIMENTAL FARM, OTTAWA, ONT. 



The following pages of this section of the report deal with the work in cereals as 

 carried on at Ottawa under the immediate supervision of the Dominion Cerealist. 



THE SEASON. 



Favourable weather and the early disappearance of the snow permitted the seed- 

 ing of the first wheat on the 16th of April. Sowing proceeded steadily from the 24th 

 onward. Cool weather prevailed during May, accompanied by drought during the 

 latter part of the month and early in June. As a consequence cereal growth was 

 somewhat retarded. However, warm rains from about the 12th of June onward com- 

 pensated somewhat for the previous lack of moisture; growth was hastened, and by 

 the 5th of July heavy, rank, prolific-looking straw gave promise of an abundant crop. 

 Unfortunately, high winds on this date bore down many of the multiplying strips 

 and test plots. Kipening proceeded slowly, the earliest maturing wheats and barleys 

 being cut on the 25th of July. From this time forward harvesting operations pro- 

 ceeded under extreme difficulties. Heavy rains and a humid atmosphere prevented 

 proper drying, even when temperatures were rather high; and some of the grain 

 sprouted in the stooks, though covers were used extensively. Frequent opening and 

 turning gf the stooks and occasional opening of the sheaves materially reduced the 

 yields of the plots, while the quality of the grain was seriously affected by the early 

 lodging and heavy rains. A few days of fine weather in the latter part of August 

 aided the conclusion of harvesting. These unfavourable conditions prevailed not 

 only at Ottawa but were quite general in this province and in parts of Quebec. The 

 losses of grain of many farmers were heavy. 



CROSSING AND SELECTION OF CEREALS, ETC. 



No new crosses are being made at present, as the amount of material now on 

 hand is much too great for the land and staff allotted to the Cereal Division. 



Among the most interesting groups of crosses which are being fixed may be 

 mentioned those between Prelude wheat and other varieties. Prelude x Marquis being 

 perhaps the most interesting of these. 



Several beardless sorts from Prelude wheat were isolated a few 'years ago and 

 some of them were tested in the regular plots for the first time last season. None 

 will be introduced until we are sure that no valuable characteristic of Prelude has 

 been lost in them. 



A large quantity of unfixed material of great scientific interest, and displaying 

 some new characters, has been produced from crosses between Arlington Awnless and 

 various other barleys. In flax, some crosses made several years ago have given 

 hundreds of new sorts, some of which are now almost fixed. The crosses were made, 

 and the- selections are being carried on, with a view to the production of varieties 

 useful for fibre as well as for seed. 



Ottawa. 



