20 EXPERIME^^TAL FARMS 



I 5 GEORGE v., A. 1915 



EXPEEIMENTS AT GEANDE PRAIRIE, ALBERTA. 



Exi)erimental work was continued by Mr. S. J. Webb at this point. The spring 

 opened early, seeding commencing on April 12. The season as a whole was favour- 

 able, although wet, delaying* haying and harvesting. On October 13, most of the 

 grain wa6 still in stook. 



Potatoes and all kinds of vegetables were an excellent crop. 



In cereals, Marquis and Preston wheats gave yields of 40 bushels and 35 bushels 

 per acre, respectively. Banner and Thousand Dollar oats gave 70 bushels and 62 

 bushels per acre, and Arthur peas 45 bushels per acre. 



Two varieties of mangels yielded 4 tons 1,100 pounds and 4 tons 800 pounds 

 per acre, respectively, and two of turnips gave a return of 4 tons 1,200 pounds 

 and 4 tons 900 pounds. 



Alfalfa, Alsike, Mammoth Red and White Dutch clovers were sown with and 

 without nurse crops, a good catch being obtained in each case. Equally good results 

 were obtained with Red Top, Timothy and Orchard grass. 



The following vegetables produced well: Peas, beets, carrots, lettuce, onions, 

 beans and potatoes. 



The display of flowers sown in the open was a very fine one. 



EXPERBIENTS AT PORTS RESOLUTION AND PROVIDENCE, MAC- 

 KENZIE DISTRICT. 



Experiments were continued this year at the above points under the supervision 

 of Father Duport, at Fort Resolution, and of Father Giroux at Fort Providence. 



At Fort Resolution, seeding was completed about the middle of May under fairly 

 favourable conditions, but dry weather following, much of the grain did not germi- 

 nate. The latter half of May and all June were exceptionally cold. On June 25 

 there was a severe frost, the cabbage, peas and turnips suffering especially. In 

 late July and early August, there was a good rainfall, but rather too late to have 

 much effect on the yield of grain. The grain plots were attacked and destroyed 

 just before the harvest by large flocks of small birds, which visit that region each 

 ■ year so that the yields could not be obtained. 



Vegefcables which survived the frost of June 25 did very well. Those grown 

 included carrots, beets, peas, turnips, onions, cauliflower and cabbage. 



As giving some indication of the shortness of the season, the following general 

 notes may be of interest: Snow disappeared the third week in April; on May 19 the 

 bay was still full of ice; it became clear on the 21st but was again blocked by ice 

 coming in from the lake (Lesser Slave) on June S. The first boat arrived on June 

 5, and the first steamboat on June 13. 



On September 10 four inches of snow fell. Ice was formed along the shores of 

 the bay on September 21 and, a month later, the ice on the bay would bear skaters. 



The soil at the beginning of winter was full of moisture, which should give the 

 1914 crops a good start. 



EXPERIMENT AT FORT PROVIDENCE. 



The dryness of the season was most abnormal. No rain fell until June 10, and 

 none after that during the remainder of the growing season. Even the n;itivo 

 prairie hay was almost a total failure. There was a frost on July 8 which damaged 

 the wheat considerably. Early in August the crows attacked the fields, destroying 

 some of the varieties of cereals under test and damaging others. 



Four varieties of whea.t were tested: Bishop, Red Fife, Marquis and Preston. 

 All matured on August 23. 



