54 



ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



With wheat delay of one week beyond the period named has en- 

 tailed an average loss of over 30 per cent, two weeks 40 per centy 

 three weeks 49 per cent and four weeks 56 per cent of the crop. 



With oats a delay of one week has caused an average loss of 15 per 

 cent, two weeks 22 per cent, three weeks 32 per cent and four weeks 

 48 per cent. 



In the case of barley a delay of one week has resulted in an average 

 loss of 23 per cent, two weeks 27 per cent, three weeks 40 per cent and 

 four weeks 45 per cent. 



With pease, which have been tested for only five years, the loss of 

 crop from delay in sowing has been less. About a week after the ground 

 is in condition to make seeding practicable, appears to be the most 

 favourable time for sowing. Beyond this a delay of one week has re- 

 duced the crop 4 per cent, two vreeks 12 per cent, three weeks 22 per 

 cent and four weeks 30 per cent. 



The following are the average crops which have been obtained 

 during the full period these tests have been continued, that is ten years 

 with the oats, barley and spring wheat, and five years with pease : — 



These results obtained at the Central Experimental Farm at 

 Ottawa, demonstrate most conclusively how important it is that farmers 

 in Ontario and Quebec should sow all their grain crops promptly, and 

 if possible within ten days after the ground — prepared by ploughing in 

 the autumn — is ready for seeding. If this practice were to become 

 universal the average of crops in these provinces would be very much 

 increased. 



While the large losses arising from delay in the seeding of grain 

 is fairly well Imown, the fact that similar losses occur from delay in the 

 sowing of roots has not received the same attention. At the Central 

 Experimental Farm a series of experiments has been carried on for five 



