490 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



5 GEORGE v., A. 1915 



been assisting in the correspondence and other office work, has also rendered efficient 

 service. Mr. H. Holz, foreman, continues to oversee the outside work of the Division 

 in a satisfactory manner. Mr. James McKee, foreman in charge of the new greenhouses, 

 although connected with the Horticultural Division for only a few months, has been 

 very successful with the plants under his charge, and the appearance of the houses 

 is a credit to him. Mr. W. T. Ellis, who remains in charge of the old greenhouses imtil 

 the end of the fiscal year and afterwards will devote his time to the records of the 

 Horticultural Division, has been in charge of the old greenhouses since 1887, during 

 which time he has rendered faithful service. Mr. Horace Read continues to keep 

 satisfactorily many of the horticultural records of the Central and branch Farms and 

 Stations. Mr. James Taggart, the foreman of the ornamental grounds, has again 

 looked after this part of the work to the best of his ability. To the other men who, 

 though in less responsible positions, yet give their physical strength to the work, I wish 

 to extend my appreciation of their services. 



During the year it has been my duty to have much to do with the Superintendents 

 of the branch Farms and Stations, both while visiting their places and through corre- 

 spoijdence, and I am very pleased to express my appreciation of the spirit of co-opera- 

 tion shown by them all. 



I have the honour to be, sir. 



Your obedient servant, 



W. T. MACOUN, 

 Dominion Horticulturist. 



CENTRAL EXPERIMENTAL FARM, OTTAWA, ONT. 



CHARACTER OF SEASON. 



The frost was out of the ground sufficiently to plough and dig in certain places 

 in the Horticultural Division on April 15, 1913, the average for fifteen years being 

 April 12. There was some vei-y hot weather in April, the highest temperature being 

 86-5 F. It was over 70° on six days during the month. The lowest temperature was 

 21° on the 20th. 



The first week of May was very warm, and fruit trees began to bloom earlier 

 than usual, crab apples beginning to bloom on the 4th, when the highest temperature 

 for the month 89° F. was recorded. After May 6 the weather became cool and con- 

 tinued so throughout the month. The strawberries, which were uncovered on the 

 5th were found badly injured, evidently by the ice during the winter. There were 

 frosts recorded on four days during the month, the lowest ternperature being on* the 

 10th when it was 28-8 F.; the last frost recorded was on May 15 when the temperature 

 was 30° F. Flowers of currants were injured by frost, and the early blooming 

 varieties of plums suffered badly, practically no fruit setting. 



June was cool up to the 10th. On June 9 there was a light frost on the lower 

 ground, though none recorded by the standard thermometer, necessitating the cover- 

 ing of tomato plants the night before. The remainder of June was very warm, and 

 as there was little rain vegetation suffered considerably. The highest temperature 

 for the month was 93-2 F. on the 27th. It was 80° and over on twelve days during 

 the month. 



July was a very warm month, with little rain. The highest temperature was 

 100°r. on the 4th, being the highest ever recorded at the Central Experimental Farm. 

 The temperature was 90° and over on six days, and 80° and over on nineteen days 

 during the month. Early in the month the lawn grass was burned brown in many 

 places, the strawberries dried up, the potatoes were badly checked in their growth, 



OlTAWA- 



