REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR 15 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



EXPERIMENTS AT FORT VERMILION, PEACE RIVER DISTRICT, 



ALBERTA. 



Robert Jones., Experimentalist. 



In the spring of 1913, work on the land was possible abuut April 17, harrowing 

 was commenced on the 19th and the first wheat was sown on the 21st. May weather 

 was fine and warm, with frequent showers. The grain germinated and grew well, 

 but was retarded later by the dry, hot weather of June and early July. After Jvdy 

 10, showers were frequent and growth remarkably rapid. All wheat headed out by 

 July 6. Haying commenced on the 18th of that month. The first wheat was cut on 

 August 2, and harvest was general by the 18th. 



September was rainy, delaying harvesting and threshing. 



Wheat yields throughout the Fort Vermilion district averaged about 21 bushels 

 per acre, oats 50 bushel.s, and barley 45 bushels per acre. 



On the Experimental Station, nine varieties of spring wheat were tested, the 

 highest yield 59^ bushels per acre, being given by Bishop. Prelude wheat wa- the 

 first to ripen, on August 2, yielding at the rate of 48 bushels per acre. The lowest 

 yield was 39^ bushels per acre. 



Five varieties of oats were tested with yields from 84 bushels 24 pounds to 42 

 bushels 12 pounds per acre. 



Two varieties of two-row barley yielded 4S bushels 36 pounds and 30 bushels 

 20 pounds respectively, while of four varieties of six-row, the highest was obtained 

 from Champion, 65 bushels per acre, and the lowest 60 bushels from Success. 



One variety of peas tested, the Arthur, gave 42 bushels per acre. 



New and, it is hoped, hardier varieties of alfalfa have been tried this year, 

 those formerly under test having been winter-killed. 



Canary grass gave a yield of 2 tons 513 pounds per acre. Timothy, tall fescue, 

 western rye and awnless brome failed to grow well, owing to entering the previous 

 winter in poor condition. 



Most of the apple and plum trees made good growth, although none fruited this 

 year. Raspberries and currants did well. 



The ornamental trees and shrubs grew well, and the display of annuals was very 

 fine. 



The following sorts of vegetables were grown successfully this year. Asparagus, 

 rhubarb, celery, onions, beets, carrots, squash, cucumbers, citrons, tomatoes, beans, 

 lettuce, garden peas, cabbage, and cauliflower. 



Five varieties of potatoes were grown : Rochester Rose, Gold Coin, Carman No. 1, 

 Early Rose and Irish Cobbler. The first-named gave the highest yield, 404 bushels 

 per acre, and the Irish Cobbler the lowest, 308^ bushels. 



METEOROLOGICAL RECORDS. 



The following records of temperatures, precipitation and sunshine were taken 

 by Mr. Robert Joties, Experimentalist at Fort Vermilion, and arranged in tabular 

 form by Mr. W. T. Ellis, Weather Observer at the Central Farm, who has also pre- 

 pared tables comparing ths Fort Vermilion records with those at Ottawa. 



