5-6 EDWARD VI!. 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 15 



A. 1906 



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Nappan, N.S., November 30, 1905. 

 To Dr. Wm. Saukders, C.M.G., 



Director Dominion Experimental Farms. 

 Ottawa. 



Sm, — ^I have the honour to submit herewith my annual report of operations on the 

 experimental farm for the maritime provinces at Nappan, N.S. 



The past season, although much more satisfactory than the season of 1904, has 

 not been all that might be desired for crop growing. Spring came in rather late, with 

 continued wet weather, although no great amount of rainfall, which, although retarding 

 seeding operations, proved quite favourable to the growth of hay and grass. From 

 June 20, to about the same date in July the weather was about all that could be 

 desired, and all crops made great growth during this period. From this to the end of 

 the growing season the drouth became more and more pronounced, reducing somewhat 

 the apparently assured heavy grain crops, and even more so in the case of roots that 

 usually make such a great proportion of their growth after September 15, they making 

 practically none after this date, left only a fair crop. Aftermath and pasture was 

 particularly poor, while the new take of clover and grass, that early in the season gave 

 good promise, were in most places seriously damaged. 



Following the custom of applying the tuberculin test to the herds from time to 

 time at the experimental farms, it was decided to apply this test, although no symptoms 

 had occurred to awaken suspicion that any of the animals might be affected. Accord- 

 ingly tuberculin was applied for to the department, and arrangements made with Dr. 

 F. G. Hall, V.S., Amherst, N.S., to test the herd, which was done on May 18 and 19, 

 with the result that a very large proportion reacted or were suspicious. 



This report being submitted to yourself, instructions were received to dispose of 

 none of the products of those affected animals, to isolate those shown to be healthy, and 

 that arrangements would be made by the department to have them tested again when 

 a sufficient number of months had elapsed to insure reliability of second test. 



Accordingly the second test was made by Dr. J. Frink, V.S., St. John, N.B., on 

 October 11 and 12, which resulted in practically the same finding as the previous test. 



As a result of both tests, out of a total of 71 head tested, only 14 were found that 

 did not react either in one or other of the tests, 8 others reacted in the former and not 

 the latter test, leaving 49 head reacting in both tests. May 18 and 19, and October 

 11 and 12. 



I wish again to acknowledge my indebtedness for valuable assistance rendered by 

 Mr. J. Thomas Ooates, farm foreman, who has kept all records of crop experiments, 

 and to Mr. R. Donaldson, herdsman, who has kept all records of live stock experiments, 

 each doing so in a careful and painstaking manner. 



WEATHER. 



December commenced dull and open, followed by cool, bright weather to the middle 

 of the month, except on the 6th and 8th, when there was a light fall of snow. The 

 balance of the month was more or less broken with light snowstorms. A snowfall on 

 the 18th made fairly good sleighing, and on the 26th improved the going in sleighs, 

 which continued to the end of the month. The thermometer went to zero on the IGtli, 

 and registered below zero at night, from the 32nd to the 27th 14° below zero, the lowest 

 for the month was on the 27th, and on the 31st the mercury fell to 8° below zero. 



January commenced with sleighing, which continued until the first of April. The 

 first part of the month was somewhat broken by light snow storms, the latter part of 

 the month, however, was noted for many heavy storms, some of which blocked the roads 



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