THe JOURNAL 



LIBRARY 



OF 



Yfis department of fl^gricufture. 



Vol. VI. Part 3. 9th Mapeh, 1908. 



REPORT ON HARVEST OF EXPERIMENTAL WHEAT 

 FIELDS, SEASON 1907. 



F . E. Lee, Agricultural Superintendent. * 



The har\-est returns under review represent the third season's work on 

 the experimental wheat fields conducted under the supervision of the 

 Field Branch. 



It will be remembered that 26 fields of 10 acres each were established 

 in 1905, arrangements having been entered into for the continuance of the 

 work over a term of seven years. The first season's work embraced trials 

 of artificial manures in varying amounts and combinations; cultivation 

 methods, including subsoiling and green manuring; the trial of 40 wheat 

 and eight oat varieties, and the growth of green fodder and root crops. 

 Portion of the land was fallowed during the second season, portion cropped 

 with rape and the balance resown with wheat varieties. 



As the result of the trials of the wheat varieties during the two seasons, 

 Federation showed itself to be well adapted to the conditions of most 

 districts and in order to permit of any lingering doubt being removed 

 from the minds of farmers, it was decided to again test this variety on a 

 larger scale against any other variety the farmer might choose. Concur- 

 rent with this variety test, a trial of three different methods of fallow 

 was included in such a way that both wheat varieties were side by side 

 upon the differently fallowed portions. The results given on the next page 

 are the outcome. 



Criticism of Results. 



At first glance the average yields for each classification, as well as the 

 ex. average for all fields, may appear low, but it must be remembered that 

 ^ the wheat season just past was an exceptionally unfavorable one. Almost 

 "^' continuous rain fell during sowing and much of the seed on heavy clay 

 I land was lost by rotting. As the season progressed dry weather set in 

 CT:> and the spring was unusually dry. A late rain in October was most 

 >- beneficial and there is little doubt that without this rain some of the crops 

 ■^I would not have been worth harvesting. As it was, the Reads filled well 

 ■^ and the sample of grain was A'cry fair. 



925. I-: 



