32 



intervals rather than in larger quantities at long intervals, is proved 

 to be the better plan. 



CULTURAL OPERATIONS. 



After the rotation has been fixed upon and the fertilizer has been 

 at least anticipated and arrangements made for its application, the 

 proper performance of all cultural operations at the right time that is, 

 the suitability, thoroughness and timeliness of cultural operations is 

 the next consideration. Many lose time in spring by slowness in 

 getting out on their land. It is possible, of course, to start operations 

 too early, but one must know enough of his business to be able to 

 judge when his land is ready for the application of fertilizers or when 

 it is fit for seeding, and then the great point is to get the seeding 

 done as soon after the land is ready as at all possible. Earliest 

 seeding will mean anywhere from five to ten per cent increase in 

 yield, as has been demonstrated over and over again at the Experi- 

 mental Farms. We cannot control the moisture content until we 

 begin to work, but we can provide for taking off the surplus surface 

 moisture and when we do that the temperature of the soil is raised. 



Thoroughness of all cultural operations is an exceedingly im- 

 portant point. The man who harrows, or ploughs or cultivates, 

 in a half-hearted kind of way gets a half-hearted kind of crop every 

 time. This has been proven over and over again at the Experimental 

 Farms. After cultivating until one would think the field must be 

 sick of the process, or until it looks as though one had overdone 

 the thing and were adding unnecessarily to the expense of the prepa- 

 ration of the soil, it is usually well to do a little more. 



SEEDING. 



Experience has taught that drilled grain gives a better 

 crop than that sown broadcast. About 7 inches between the drills 

 has been found at the Central Farm to be the best distance. 



The quality of seed to sow per acre has received a good deal of 

 attention, but still no very positive conclusions have been reached. 

 It is decided to be a safe rule to sow a moderate quantity, that is to 

 avoid very thin or very thick seeding. In a moist season thin seeding 

 is usually sufficient while in a dry one enough should be put in to 

 allow for the failure of a portion of the seed to produce a vigorous 

 plant. At the Central Farm 2\ bushels of oats, 2 bushels of barley 

 and 5 pecks of wheat is looked upon as about the right quantity of 

 each crop to sow per acre. 



