2-3 EDWARD VII. SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 A. 1903 



EXPERIMEiNTAL FARM FOR BRITISH COLUMBIA. 



REPORT OF THOMAS A. SHARPE, SUPERINTENDENT. 



Agassiz, B.C., November' 30, 1902. 

 To Dr. Wm. Sauxdkrs, 



Director Dominion Experimental Farms, 

 Ottawa. 



Sir, — I have the honour to present my report of the work done and progress made 

 on the Experimental Farm at Agassiz, B.C., for the year 1902. The season has been a 

 favourable one and crops of all sorts have been good and the weather suitable for secur- 

 ing them in good condition. The winter was mild, the lowest temperature registered 

 being five above zero, and that only for one day. February and March were very mild 

 and the snowfall for the whole winter very light. The spring was not so favourable, 

 being cold and wet up to the last of May when it became warmer, when growth was 

 more rapid and the haying season was favourable. Fine bright weather with occasional 

 showers continued through August and September which was excellent for harvest as 

 well as favourable to a rapid growth in corn and root crops. October was mild with 

 an average rainfall and November, in addition to a heavy rainfall, gave us early in the 

 month the heaviest snowfall at any one time for several years, which however soon 

 melted away. 



FRUIT CROP. 



The fruit crop especially that of the larger fruits has been fairly good and the bright 

 autumn ripened the fruit well. 



HEDGES. 



The sample hedges continue to make a fine growth and are one of the most attrac- 

 tive features on the farm. 



FOREST AND TIMBER PLANTATIONS. 



The forest trees planted in the shelter belt continue to make a vigorous growth. 

 The photograph shown in this report shows a portion of the forest belt. The land 

 having been seeded to clover some years since costs nothing to keep it clean, the trees 

 beinic able to take care of themselves. 



o 



ORNAMENTAL TREES AND SHRUBS. 



Tliese cuntinue to thrive vigorously and bloom profusely and are very much 

 admired. Their vigorous growth and handsome appearance has induced many people to 

 plant such shrubs and trees in many places. 



NUT TREES. 



The heart shaped walnut and Spanish and Japanese nut trees gave a full crop this 

 year, and the English and American walnuts gave a few nuts each. The butternut, 

 hardshell hickory and pecan trees have grown vigorously but have not yet fruited. 

 The accompanying photograph shows some of tlie Japan walnut and hickory trees in 

 this plantation. 



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