268 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



5 GEORGE v., A. 1915 



EXPERIMENTAL STATION FOR SOUTHERN ALBERTA, 



LETHBRIDGE, ALTA. 



REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT, W. H. FAIRFIELD, M.S. 



SEASO^^AL CONDITIONS. 



The season of 1913 opened at about the usual time for the district. Winter grain 

 however, suffered, many areas in the winter wheat fields being badly injured owing 

 to the high, dry Avinds that prevailed. Spring seeding commenced early in April; 

 germination was rapid and a good stand was obtained in all cases. The rainfall 

 during the spring was scant, especially during late May and early June. Crops of all 

 kinds suffered acutely, particularly early soA\ai grain. The rainfall for the 

 growing season was as follows : — - 



April 052 inches. 



May 1-70 " 



June 4-70 " 



July 1-29 " 



August 1 to 15 , 1-22 " 



Total 9-43 " 



Although the precipitation for June was reasonably satisfactory, generous rains 

 were not received till the 16th; from then to the end of the month moisture was 

 abundant; 4-3 inches out of 4-7 inches for the month fell during this period. The 

 late rain, kowever, stinuilated a second growth which caused uneven ripening and 

 thus materially reduced the yield and quality of both wheat and barley. The effect 

 on oats was not so serious, th^e second growth being so strong and vigorous that it 

 reached maturity before any great loss was sustained from the shelling of the first 

 growth. 



The rainfall over the southern part of the province was quite uneven, some 

 localities being more favoured than others. One of the districts where the grain crops 

 were comparatively good was along the Aldersyde branch of the Canadian Pacific 

 railway from Monarch and Carmangay. 



