Charles Saunders’ Marquis wheat proves superior

February 27, 2017

Cutting Marquis Wheat, Canada, Dept. of Interior. Library and Archives Canada, PA-048331

1907

Appointed as an experimentalist (later called cerealist) at the Experimental Farms Service, Charles Saunders undertook the hybridization of wheat specifically designed to succeed in the Canadian climate. He began his work in 1903 and in 1907, after much experimentation, he introduced Marquis, which matured early in the season, avoiding frost. By 1920, over 90 percent of the wheat grown on the Prairies was Marquis wheat.

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