WHEAT 153 



sure; but when the plowing is done late and cul- 

 tivation is neglected, failure is likely to result. 

 Writing on methods of summer fallowing, 

 Professor MacKay says in the report referred to 

 above : 



"The true worth of properly prepared fallows 

 has been clearly demonstrated in past years in 

 every district of Saskatchewan. 



"The work of preparing land for crop by fallow- 

 ing is carried on in so many ways in different parts 

 of the country, that perhaps a few words on some 

 of the methods employed may be of use to at least 

 some of the new settlers. 



"It has been observed in some parts of Sas- 

 katchewan that the land to be fallowed is not, as 

 a rule, touched until the weeds are full grown and 

 in many cases, bearing fully matured seed. It is 

 then plowed. 



" By this method, which no doubt saves work 

 at the time, the very object of a summer-fallow is 

 defeated. In the first place, moisture is not con- 

 served because the land has been pumped dry by 

 the heavy growth of weeds; and, secondly, in- 

 stead of using the summer-fallow as a means of 

 eradicating weeds, a foundation is laid for years 

 of labor and expense by the myriads of foul seeds 

 turned under. 



"The endless fields of yellow-flowered weeds, 

 generally Ball Mustard (Neslia paniculata), testify 

 to the indifferent work done in many districts, and, 

 while no weed is more easily eradicated by a good 

 system of fallows, there is no weed that is more 

 easily propagated or takes greater advantage of 



