DRY FARM CROPPING PRACTICES 97 



present oats is the commonly used grain for horse feed 

 and where it will produce a larger yield than Emmer is 

 to be preferred. 



65. Early Oats. — In most parts of Western Canada late 

 oats are much more productive than early oats. Is this 

 true in the driest areas? We do not know. The early 

 oats are more productive in some of the states south of 

 us. There is perhaps not much promise in early oats but 

 it is possible that they may avoid the droughts and hot 

 spells in August and yield as well as late oats. Banner 

 and Victory are our best late oats, Gold Rain and 

 Ligowo, the best medium late ones, and Daubeney, one 

 of the best early ones. 



66. Grasses for Hay and Pasture. — The most drought 

 resistant grasses for the West are Western Rye Grass 

 and Brome Grass. The latter is the best pasture grass, 

 but on account of its creeping underground stems is, 

 like quack grass, somewhat difficult to eradicate. While 

 these are the best grasses for the dry parts, it does not 

 foUow that they are always profitable ones to grow. 

 Economic and soil conditions will determine this point. 

 Nevertheless, wherever perennial grasses are required 

 for hay, pasture or soil improvement purposes one or 

 other of these two will be found best. Brome has proven 

 to be more drought resistant than Western Rye Grass. 



67. Alfalfa. — This is the best perennial legume for all 

 parts of the western provinces. It does not yield well 

 under dry conditions and only the hardiest varieties, 

 such as "Grimm", will withstand our winters. Under 

 dry conditions it yields more when sown thinly in rows 

 and cultivated than when sown broadcast but, of course, 

 the tillage increases the cost. This crop has not been 

 very extensively grown where the precipitation is less 



