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Varieties of Oats. 



It is a well-established fact that the various varieties of oats vary in 

 their resistance to rust. The rank-growing varieties as a rule suffer 

 most. Of course it may be that the varieties that are the most 

 resistant are not the best for fodder. But analogy would lead to the 

 conclusion that resistant sorts can be found that will be entirely suit- 

 able fodder for milking cows. As I said before, only experiments in 

 various districts can determine what varieties are the best, and 

 if such experiments have not been already made, it would be 

 advisable, in my opinion, that they should be made without delay 

 if this crop is to continue to be a main dependence for winter feed 

 as at present. Such trials, however, will be useless unless, when 

 completed, farmers can make sure of securing seed of the best varieties. 

 It would therefore be best to so conduct any trials that the source of 

 the seed is quite well-known and is such that the seed can be reliably 

 supplied from year to year. This, of course, involves arrangements 

 with some reliable seedsmen and growers. It ought to be possible to 

 make such arrangements. 



Other Fodder Crops. 



There appears at present to be very little else than oats grown on the 

 Northern Eivers for winter feed, doubtless because that crop has shown 

 itself well adapted to local conditions. There is good reason, however, 

 to doubt whether it will always continue to be as suitable as it is at 

 present ; in fact the present inquiry is a hint in that direction. The 

 reason for this doubt has been already indicated, namely, the tendency 

 when a single crop is grown continuously on the same land, for the 

 diseases of that crop to accumulate until the crop is no longer profit- 

 able. It would be advisable, in my opinion, that steps should be taken 

 to provide against the possible arrival of a time when oats will 

 not do so well as they have in the past. The eggs are now all in one 

 basket. A severe rusty season would do great injury under the 

 present system. 



Apart from this, it is well-known that the too exclusive use of one 

 fodder may lead to poor results. A variety of fodder is the natural 

 ration of most ruminants, and appears to be essential to high and 

 continuous milk production. It is hardly necessary for me to specify 

 what crops may be experimented upon. Sorghums, wheat and other 

 cereals, millets, rape (though the latter may not be suitable for milking 

 cows), and many other things could be tried with some hope of 

 success. 



Ensilage appears to have been but little tried in the Northern Eiver 

 districts. I heard of three small lots, though I did not see a single stack 

 or pit. I was assured, on good authority, that good ensilage had been 

 prepared ; and if there is no natural climatic reason why ensilage 

 cannot be prepared and kept, it seems as if it should receive a fair 

 trial, although it cannot be expected to be so profitable as in more 

 severe climates where the growth of winter feeds is impossible. 



