WORK WITH CEREALS. 



The distribution of strong, pure seed of tested varieties of grain 

 has been a prominent and valuable feature of the work of the Ex- 

 perimental Farms. Practically all of the wheat growing countries of 

 the globe have been searched for new varieties that have been brought 

 together and thoroughly tested side by side under similar and under 

 varying conditions, first at the Central and then at the other Farms 

 to determine their values and to perpetuate those found worthy for 

 future distribution. Even before the Farms had been thoroughly 

 organized distribution was commenced. The reputation of Ladoga 

 wheat for earliness and yield had reached the knowledge of the 

 Director from Russia where it was extensively grown. Samples were 

 procured and submitted to millers, grain dealers, Boards of Trade and 

 others interested, and by practically all of them pronounced to be of 

 excellent quality. A large importation was then made and in 1887, 

 2,150 three-pound bags of seed were distributed to individual farmers. 

 This was the commencement of a work that has been the means of 

 introducing into thousands of farms sorts of grain that have added 

 immensely to the harvest returns of the country. It has been con- 

 tinued year after year, increasing in the number of samples sent out 

 as time has gone on. 



During the first ten years the Experimental Farms were in 

 operation, the average distribution was about 10,000 samples of 

 cereals and potatoes, amounting to about 60 tons per year. Since 

 then the average per year has been about 38,000 samples and in 1910 

 it reached 50,000 samples distributed from the Central and Branch 

 Farms. 



Ladoga wheat as compared with some of our best sorts possessed 

 some defects, but on account of its earliness it has been used as a 

 parent of excellent new sorts that have been evolved in the Cereal 

 Division. A promising early sort known as Hard Red Calcutta was 

 brought from India in the early days of the Farms, and while like 

 Ladoga, it lacked some of the qualities of the best kinds, it has proved 

 an excellent crossing variety. Other early Russian and Indian 

 varieties have also been employed in this manner. 



None of the imported, early-maturing varieties proved quite 

 satisfactory, and it was decided therefore, many years ago, that new 

 types must be produced by cross breeding and selection in order to 

 secure the most suitable sorts for the northern sections of Canada. 

 To this phase of wheat improvement the Cerealist has devoted most 

 of his time for a number of years past. 

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