168 THE SMALL GRAINS 



to escape the autumn frosts which sometimes injure the 

 crops in some parts of the Northwest of Canada." A 

 variety was finally obtained that appeared to be suitable, 

 through a seed dealer in Riga who had made a special 

 study of the cereals of northern Russia. It was grown in 

 latitude 60 near Lake Ladoga, north of Petrograd, 

 and is known by the name of Ladoga. The first consign- 

 ment to Canada was received in the spring of 1887, when 

 667 sample bags were distributed for trial, " from which 

 275 returns were received, and from these reports the 

 average time of ripening was estimated at ten to fifteen 

 days earlier than that of Fife, a gain which would, if 

 maintained, materially lessen the risk of injury from 

 frost." In 1888 a second distribution of 1529 sample 

 bags of 3 pounds each was made, from which 301 reports 

 were received. These, taking in the entire Dominion, 

 placed the time of ripening 10 days earlier than that 

 of Fife (Saunders, 1889, pp. 5-6). The average yields, 

 the two years, were respectively 58 pounds and 50 pounds 

 for each 3 pounds sown. The better samples of Ladoga 

 were found to be fully as rich in gluten as the best 

 Fife. Though apparently a good wheat, it appears 

 not yet to be widely cultivated, but is said to be the 

 only variety now grown in the Peace River country. 

 It is otherwise important, however, in being a parent 



v of several good hybrid wheats. 



Y 161. Chul wheat. Chul-bidai or Chul wheat is com- 

 /\ mon throughout Turkestan, both because of its drought 

 ' resistance and because it is non-shattering. The latter 

 quality is very important in that country, as all harvest- 

 ing is done by hand and therefore must be much delayed. 

 It is hence adapted for the Pacific coast and apparently 

 for the Columbia River Basin. This wheat was first ob- 



