S4 TBE DIRECTOR, EXPERIMEXTAL FlRiI& 



gave an average of 33 tons 497 pounds per acre, much the heaviest crop of sugar beets 

 we have ever had. 



By Mr. Clancy : 



Q. Have you the results of the field experiments as well ? 



A. Yes; but these Mr. Grisdale will report on to you. The value of these plot 

 experiments lies largely in the fact that the varieties are all under exactly the same 

 conditions and that as far as relative yields of varieties they furnish reliable data ou 

 which to figure, but as to how they will compare with the field crop much depends 

 on the quality of the land in the field' where the roots are grown. If you get a field as 

 good as the plot, you will not find much variation, and we have sometimes had grain 

 crops where the fields have given larger returns than the plots, but that is not common, 

 we generally find the field crop below the plot croji in yield. 



Q. So far these experiments are apt to be a little misleading as compared with 

 the results in the field under the best conditions ? 



A. You take the results on the plots and fields at Indian Head and Brandon and 

 compare them, and the diiference is not very great. 



Q. But has not this been an exceptional year ? 



A. We have had similar experiences at Ottawa, where the fieL.ls have gi-.-cu heavier 

 crops than the plots. 



Q. How do you account for that ? 



A. The way I account for it is that in such instances the soil of the field where 

 that grain was grown was better than it was in the plots. 



Q. Then the conditions were not the same ? 



A. Not altogether so. The grain was put in at the same time and it experienced 

 the same weather, but in one case the land was better. 



Q. But the conditions varied to the extent that the land was better ? 



A. The cultivation and treatment, however, was the same. 



Q. Do they get the same manure in both eases ? 



A. Yes, as a rule, they do. Our experimental plots since the arrangement was 

 made to put a larger portion of the land under a regular rotation from which we are 

 getting valuable information — have to be carried on now on three blocks of land and 

 these same blocks are used from year to year for the experiments. Formerly we shifted 

 around to fresh blocks every year but now we cannot do that, because it would inter- 

 fere with the fields set ajsart for the rotation of crops. Have I made myself under- 

 stood ? 



Q. Quite so. 



A. That system has been in operation for three years now, and while we have not 

 had any material inconvenience, since we have to grow the grain crops in succession 

 on these plots and follow with roots and corn the third year, we find it is necessary to 

 manure these special experimental fields every three years, while the general farm 

 crops in the regular rotation are manured once only in five years. * 



Q. How did the experiments in idiots compare with the experiments in rotation • 

 it must be followed up ? 



A. You see we have only yet had two year^ to report on. 



Q. Well, so far as yoii have gone ? 



A. So far as \ve have gone they vary considerably. Our land is very uneven in 

 quality. There was one of our sections, in fact two of them, which were not thoroughly 

 drained. The main drains which were first put down were not large enough and theV 

 had to be taken up and replaced by larger ones. We have the laud now in good con- 

 dition, but two years ago the crops on one section were injured by water and this inter- 

 fered with our experiments. But, speaking in a general way, I would say tliat where 

 the land of the fields will compare favourably in quality with the land ou which we 

 have the experimental plots, the crops also compare favourably. 



