664 



EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



5 GEORGE v., A. 1915 



EXPERIMENTAL STATION FOR SOUTHERN SASKATCHE- 

 WAN, INDIAN HEAD, SASK. 



REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT, T. J. HARRISON, B.S.A. 



During the year, Mr. Angus Mackay, who for twenty-six years was Superintendent 

 of this Farm, resigned and accepted the position of Inspector of Western Experimental 

 Farms. Wlaile in charge he did much for the advancement of horticulture, not only 

 in southern Saskatchewan but in the whole Canadian Central West. He transformed 

 a portion of this Farm from a bare waste of prairie to a veritable park of shelter belts, 

 hedges, drives, lawns, and flower gardens. The horticultural grounds will forever be a 

 monument to the great work he has acomplished for the West. 



Although much has been done, there is much still to do, for at present there is a 

 scarcity of western data on horticulture. Our immense correspondence shows the 

 great interest that is being taken by the farmers in this line of farming. 



WEATHER CONDITIONS. 



On the whole the season of 1913 was favourable for the growth of all clashes- of 

 horticultural crops. The spring was early, with no damaging frosts to aifect the fruit 

 blossoms. May was mild and bright which facilitated the earlj^ planting of the vege- 

 tables and aruiual flowers. Eight and one half inches of rain fell in June and July, 

 stimulating a luxurious growth in the vegetable and flower gardens. The large amount 

 of sunshine in August and September had the effect of ripening the fruit and vege- 

 tables before the fall frosts damaged them. A hail-storm in the late summer 

 damaged the apple crop to some extent, thus lowering its value. The fall was warm 

 and bright, causing an abundant bloom in the flower gardens until killed by the frosts 

 in October. 



VEGETABLE TESTS. 



ASPARAGUS. 



A good crop was obtained from the old beds of Barr's Mammoth, Barrs Elmira, 

 and Conover's Colossal. In use from May 5 to August 6. Three new varieties. Pal- 

 metto, Columbia Mammoth, and Colossal were sown on May o. The seed came up on 

 June 12 and made a strong growth during the season. These plants will be trans- 

 planted to permanent beds in the spring of 1914. 



