EXPERIMENTAL FARM FOR THE MARITIME PROVINCES. 



REPORT OF WM. M. BLAIR, Superintendent. 



Nappan, N.S., 15th December, 1894. 



To William Saunders, Esq., 



Director Dominion Experimental Farms, 

 Ottawa. 



Sir, — I have the honour to submit herewith the following report of the operations 

 on the Experimental Farm for the Maritime Provinces at Nappan, N.S., during the 

 year 1894. 



Weather. 



Snow fell on 6th November, 1893, and remained until the middle of April, 1894, a 

 very unusual thing in Nova Scotia, the ground being only slightly frozen when the snow 

 fell, the frost did not penetrate deep into the soil, except where the snow was tramped, 

 the result being that potatoes and turnips which happened to remain in the ground all 

 winter grew in the spring. Nevertheless we had very severe frost on several occasions. 

 On 6th February it was 20° below zero; on the 13th, 13°, 14th, 27°, 24th, 10°, and on 

 the 25th 13° below zero. 



Farm work commenced on 28th April, and continued with little interruption until 

 all the seed was sown. The weather was all that could be desired until 11th July, when 

 we had a good rain, the last of any account until 17th September. In consequence of 

 this long period of drought all crops suffered very much, reducing the average, except- 

 ing the hay, which was well matured at this time and yielded well. Grain was about 

 two-thirds of an average crop ; roots about the same. The trees and shrubs planted on 

 the farm felt the effects of the drought very much, and although watered frequently, 

 some of them died. Springs dried up and cattle suffered both for want of food and 

 water. 



Both hay and grain were harvested in fine condition, the grain being well filled 

 and heavy. 



Manures, 



In addition to the barn-yard manures which, in our experience, excel all other 

 fertilizers, if properly cared for, some special manures were used, such as superphos- 

 phates and bone meal. In consequence of the annual application of more or less of such 

 material and the extension of the system of drainage, the farm is gradually increasing in 

 fertility and becoming better suited to carry on experimental work. 



Hat. 



The hay was more than an average crop on both marsh and upland — 23 acres of 

 upland gave 57 loads ; 27 acres of marsh gave 55 loads ; 15 acres of broad leaf gave 19 

 loads, or in all 131 loads, averaging 2,200 pounds per load, making 144 tons, all of 

 which was secured in excellent condition. 



