DIVISION OV CEREALS 1009 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



PLOTS OF CEREALS, ETC., AT OTTAWA. 



In 1915 there were sown at Ottawa 694 small plots of cross-bred varieties not yet 

 fixed in character, and 4.47 plots (chiefly small) of new varieties and selections which 

 are now true to type and are being increased for test on a larger .scale. There were 

 also twelve small plots of flax for fibre. 



The regular test plots of grain, for the comparison of varieties, are one-sixtieth of 

 an acre each. The number of plots of this size last season was as follows: Spring 

 wheat, 206; barley, 260; field peas, 61; and flax, 29; making a total of 556 plots, and 

 representing about 500 varieties and selected "strains. 



The total number of plots of all sizes was 1,709. 



Owing to the shortage of land for the Cereal Division, the regular test plots of 

 oats, rye, emmer, spelt, and beans had to be omitted. 



EXPLANATION OF THE TABLES. 



A careful study of the effects of irregularities in the soil of our fields, and the 

 effects of differences in the dates of the sowing of varieties which are being com- 

 pared, has shown clearly that the figures actually obtained for yield, days maturing, 

 etc., are in many cases misleading — though quite accurate. Hence for the proper 

 comparison of varieties it is essential to introduce various corrections. These are 

 rather too numerous and complicated to be easily explained. It appears advisable there- 

 fore to present in the tables, the facts as observed. 



The character of the straw is indicated by marks on a scale of ten points according 

 to the proportion of the plot standing erect at harvest time. A variety standing quite 

 erect receives a mark of ten, while one completely lodged is marked 0. 



As a rule, only named varieties are mentioned in the tables. Most of the varieties 

 under test are new cross-bred sorts produced by the Dominion Oerealist and recorded 

 for the present by means of numbers and letters. As soon as the value of these sorts 

 has been determined, names will be given to such of them as possess sufficient merit to 

 warrant their introduction to the public. 



Ottawa. 



