DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 43 



the middle of the plot. The purpose of this is to facilitate 

 passage through the standing crop without causing serious dis- 

 turbance, as all plots require careful inspection for the elimination 

 of occasional large weeds and also to ensure freedom from unde- 

 sirable types of grain. 



In addition to the test plots of the regular size, smaller and 

 larger plots are used for special purposes. The new cross-bred 

 varieties of grain are grown for several years in very small plots, 

 or groups of plants, each plot being from the seed of one plant 

 of the previous year. These little plots are generally about two 

 feet by three in size. As soon as these varieties have become 

 fixed in character, propagation is commenced. In the first year 

 of propagation, the seed from one plant only is used, and each 

 kernel is put in separately by hand. New, selected strains of 

 standard varieties are also commenced in the same way. This 

 gives a series of little plots measuring about two by five feet, or 

 more. In the second year of propagation, the seed derived from 

 each of these little plots is sown with a hand seed drill. In this 

 way plots are produced which measure usually about fifty feet 

 in length and vary in width from one or two rows to about ten 

 or fifteen. The next season, such of the varieties as have dis- 

 played good qualities are transferred to the regular, one-sixtieth 

 acre, plots. 



After these tests have been conducted for a sufficient length 

 of time, those varieties which appear most desirable and are 

 therefore required for trial elsewhere or for distribution are 

 grown at Ottawa for one season in larger plots, the size of which 

 varies according to the quantity of seed available. The crop 

 from these larger areas is sent to one or more of the branch 

 Farms where further tests are made and where the best varieties 

 are finally grown, in fields of several acres each, for general 

 distribution. 



