42 



SCIENTIFIC AGRICULTURE 



October 



crease the acreage planted to fall rye, are 

 given in the following .statement issued on 

 September 12th : 



"A hurried survey of the dry areas re- 

 vealed the fact that fall planted rye does 

 much better in a dry year than wheat. It 

 yields from 25 to 50 per cent, more bushels 

 per acre than wheat. Planted in the fall, 

 it secures the fall and winter moisture, and 

 ripens three weeks earlier than wheat, thus 

 escaping the hot winds of late July. It is 

 not injured by cutworms, does not rust, 

 chokes weeds, and prevents soil drifting. 

 As a result of this information, it was de- 

 cided to carry on an energetic campaign 

 to secure a greatly increased acreage of rye 

 for the coming season. 



''The countryside was placarded with 

 posters, urging the advantages of rye 

 planting, and indicating how the best kind 

 of seed could be obtained, largely through 

 the Federal and Provincial Governments. 

 Tens of thousands of leaflets containing 

 more elaborate information to the same end 

 were distributed through the banks, the 

 boards of trade and other agencies. It was 

 ascertained that there would be a good mar- 

 ket for any increased production of rye 

 obtainable in Western Canada. Public 

 meetings Avere held at various centres to 

 secure the active co-operation of various 

 intei-ests. The farmers responded generally 

 to the campaign. If this fall's increased 

 planting of rye brings the expected monet- 

 ary results next year, there will be a still 

 further increased acreage under rye for 

 1923, and a great step will have been 

 taken towards permanently improving the 

 condition of the farmei-s througliout tlic 

 dry areas of Southern Alberta and West- 

 ern Saskatchewan." . 



SOME WRONG OPINIONS. 



It appears to l)e true that evciy new 

 movement, before it is soundly established 

 and in a position to make progress, must 

 have certain obstacles thrown in its way, 

 as thougli the overcoming of sucli obstacles 

 were a necessary part of its growth. It is 

 probably also a ti-uth tliat many worthy 

 institutions have been too .sevei'ely 0])])osed 

 l)y innocent jiublic opinion and liave ceased 



to function, often to the disappointment of 

 the critics themselves. 



Throughout the initial stages of its de- 

 velopment the Canadian Society of Tech- 

 nical Agriculturists had to face many 

 obstacles and answer many criticisms. 

 There were none wlio doubted the advant- 

 ages of such an organization but there 

 were many who questioned the real mo- 

 tives that prompted its formation. Some 

 there were who claimed that it was an out- 

 growth of Civil Service re-classification, 

 others who hinted, fairly plainly, that it 

 would promote tlie interests of certain fa- 

 voured groups, and still others who merely 

 sat back and said that such an organization 

 could not possibly be effected. 



And yet, in the face of these criticisms, 

 the organization has made rapid growth, 

 and has not at am- time since its incep- 

 tion two years ago merited any of the cri- 

 ticisms which were levelled at it. With- 

 out doubt there were suggestions made, 

 during the organization period, that were 

 helpful, but noAv that the pioneer work 

 has been completed, the Society needs 

 staunch support more than any form of 

 even the most friendly criticism. Ample 

 opportunity will be provided for changes 

 in the operating policy, but real usefulness 

 will come from unity of effort in the con- 

 duct of any work that may be undertaken. 



The Society at present appears to be 

 firmly established but there are, in every 

 section of Canada, a few eligible members 

 who have not as yet made application for 

 membership. This fact constitutes the only 

 present obstacle to complete success, and 

 it will be lemoved in course of time. There 

 has been no justice for any criticism .so far 

 made. The organization is attempting 

 nothing more than the bringing together 

 of the technical workers in agriculture, 

 the closer co-ordination of effort, the main- 

 tenance of high standards in the profession, 

 the encouragement of agricultural research 

 and the i)ublicati<'ii of material whicli is of 

 interest and value to tlie student and work- 

 er in agriculture. 



There can be no merited criticism made 

 of such an organization and its i)rogress 

 towai'ds the desired goal will be materially 

 hastened when the ]iroper volume of sup- 

 |)ort is given to the movement. 



