Chemical Work in Canadian Agriculture. 39 



From our analyses, the points in favour of Canadian oats 

 appear to be (i) a heavy kernel, (2) a low percentage of mois- 

 ture, (3) high albuminoids and (4) a large percentage of fat. It 

 must be remembered, however, that oats, like wheat, are greatly 

 influenced in composition by their conditions of growth, and, 

 therefore, while there are many samples exhibiting the qualities 

 I have mentioned, there are many districts in which by careful 

 cultivation the feeding value of the oats might be increased. 



THE GRASSES OF CANADA. 



The enormous importance to our farmers, stock raisers and 

 dairymen of palatable, nutritious and cheap fodder led to a deter- 

 mination of the food constituents of many species of native and 

 introduced grasses. The analytical data already published have 

 been largely obtained from the examination of grasses grown 

 under the care of the Botanist of the Farm at Ottawa, though a 

 considerable number of samples from Manitoba were also 

 analysed. 



Grasses may be divided into two agricultural classes ; pasture 

 grasses and meadow grasses, those of the first class springing up 

 well when eaten off, those of the second being characterized by 

 yielding a heavy crop of hay. The requirements of a good grass 

 are: (i) That it should produce a heavy crop ; (2) That it 

 should be hardy ; (2,) That it should be rich in the more valuable 

 food constituents ; and (4) that it should be palatable. 



Of native pasture grasses, I can speak in special com- 

 mendation of June Grass (Foa pratensis), a rich, palatable 

 perennial. In all respects it is a- most excellent pasture grass, 

 abundant everywhere and worthy of more careful cultivation. 

 A careful study of this grass (sometimes known as Kentucky 

 Blue Grass) led Mr. Fletcher, the Botanist of the Farms, and 

 myself to the conclusion that it was " undoubtedly the most 

 valuable pasture grass in the Dominion." 



Red Top {Agrostis vulgaris), though not a native grass, is 

 now very common. This also is a valuable grass and one 



