106 EXPERIME^^TAL FARMS 



4-5 EDWARD VII., A. 1905 



the 19th. This was the only day during the summer when it rose to 90 or above. 

 August was also cooler than the average, and while there were a few warm days the 

 temperature did not rise very high, 83*5° F. being the highest reached, on the 5th. 

 The summer was not a favourable one for the ripening of tender vegetables, such as 

 n.elons and tomatoes, nor for other plants which require warm weather- September 

 was another cool, cloudy month with much rain and not favourable for the ripening 

 of grapes, of which there was a large crop, but of which few kinds matured. There 

 was a severe frost on the night of September 21-22, the temperature falling to 27'5° F. 

 <snd practically everything tender was killed, including tomatoes, melons, corn, cucum- 

 bers, beans and grape leaves. Up to this time, although there had been local white 

 frosts, not registered at the Experimental Farm, there had been no frost recorded and 

 no injury from frcst since April 23. October was a very cool month with only about 

 one week of fine, pleasant weather. Severe frosts were frequent, the temperature 

 falling to 19° F. on the 31st. and from the 29th on the frost did not leave the ground, 

 as during the early part of Xovember the weather, tb.ough fine, was cold. The frosts 

 were so severe during the second week of November that ploughing was stopped, but 

 most of the frost came out again. "Winter set in on November 21, with snow and frost 

 in the ground. 



,7 



FRUIT AXi) VE:;KT-VBr.E CROPS. 



In the provinces of Ontario and Quebec the apple crop, although an average one 

 in some places, was not quite as large as in 1903, and below the average on the 

 whole, nor was the fruit as good in quality, being smaller and more spotted in most 

 districts. The crop of pears was good, but peaches and plums were light crops. 

 Owing to the very cool summer and autumn, grapes did not ripen as soon nor as well 

 as usual, but there was a good crop in most places, although the black rot was very 

 destructive in some cases. There was a light crop of strawberries in western Ontario 

 owing to winter-killing of the plants, but in eastern Ontario and the province of 

 Quebec the crop, although lighter than usiial, was not much below the average. The 

 raspberry crop was good. 



The fruit crop at the Central Experimental Farm was, on the whole, a good one. 

 There was a large crop of apples, the fruit being clean and of good size. There was a 

 fine crop of Americana and Xative plums, and the fruit was larger tlian usual. The 

 strawberry crop, although not as large as in some other seasons, was not nnich below 

 the average; while currants, raspberries and gooseberries all bore well. There was 

 never a better crop of grapes here, but owing to the cool aittumn comparatively few 

 kinds ripened thoroughly. 



Some kinds of vegetables were not very satisfactory this year owing to the cool 

 weather, the crop of tomatoes being liglit. and melons almost a total failure except 

 where forced. The yields from the experimental plots of potatoes averaged well. 



MEETINGS ATTENDED, PLACES VISITED AXD ADDRESSES DELIVERED DURING TIIR YEAR. 



Annual meeting. Quebec Pomological Society, Hemmingford, December 17-18, 

 1903. Address: ' Why Fruit Trees Die or Fail to Produce Fruit.' 



Annual meeting, Kova Scotia Fruit Growers' Association. Bridgewater, X.S., 

 January 27-28, 1901. Address: ' Causes of Failure in Beginning Fruit Growing.' 



Farmers' Institute Meeting, Orillia, Out., January, 11-12. 1901. Address: 'Or- 

 chard Management and Work of the Dominion Experimental Farms.' 



International meeting. Port Huron, Mich., U.S., ]\[arch 3-1, 1901. Address: 

 * Hardy Fruits for Cold Climates.' 



Hamilton Florticultural Society, Hamilton. Ont., March 21, 1901. Address : 

 'Hardy Climbers, with Xotes on some of the Xewer Annuals and Perennials.' 



Giielph Horticultural Society, Guelph, Out., 'Mavca 25, 1901. Address: 'Hardy 

 Climbers for the TIoTno Grounds.' 



