772 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



6 GEORGE v., A. 1915 



EXPERIMENTAL FARM, NAPPAN, N.S. 



W. W. BAIRD, B.S.A., SUPERINTENDENT. 



CHAEACTEK OF SEASON. 



During the winter of 1912-13 very little snow fell and no severe frost- was realized 

 during the latter part. Practically no snow fell after the 15th of March. Over two 

 inches of rain fell on the 27th of that month, doing considerable damage by washing 

 the fields, especially those ploughed on the side hills. 



April was, on the whole, a typical month, much broken weather with alternate 

 rain and snowfall, especially during the early and latter parts. From the 21st to the 

 26th a very warm spell was experienced, making the land almost workable. The 

 highest temperature v/as on April 25, 71° F., the lowest on the 10th, 14° F., with a 

 total precipitation of 3 -40 inches, and out of a possible of 407 hours sunshine only 

 132-7 hours were recorded. 



From the 1st to the 10th of May the weather was dry and warm and seeding started 

 on the Gth, some four days earlier than for the season of 1912, and became quite 

 general by the 10th, but was greatly retarded by several days of wet, cald weather. 

 This kept the ground at a very low temperature. Several degrees of frost were recorded 

 on the nights of the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 9th, 11th, 13th, 16th, 17th and 18th. Seed sown on 

 the 6th was eleven days in germinating. Vegetation which gave great promise during 

 the first few days in May made very little gain during the remainder of the month. 

 The highest temperature was on the 6th> 67° F., and the lowest on the 9th, 26° F., with 

 a total precipitation of 2-38 inches, and out of a possible of 463 hours sunshine only 

 169-1 hours were recorded. 



June was rather cooler than usual, the highest temperature being 10° lower than 

 the highest for June, 1912. The precipitation was also lighter than for the same 

 period in the previous season. On the 13th, 1° of frost was registered. Seeding and 

 planting were fairly well through by the 21st. All vegetation made very slow growth 

 mitil the latter part of the month, at which time the weather conditions became much 

 more favourable for growth. The highest temperature recorded was on June 11, 74° 

 F.. the lowest on the 13th, 31° F., with a precipitation of 1-97 inches, and out of a 

 possible of 470 hours sunshine only 255°5 hours were recorded. 



July for the most part was dull and wet, rain falling on twelve different ^ays, 

 giving a total precipitation of 4-98 inches. The highest temperature recorded was on 

 July 5, 82° F, ; lowest on the 17th, 41° F. Out of a possible of 474 hours sunshine 

 only 226-5 hours were recorded. Notwithstanding the prevalence of cool and rainy 

 weather, vegetation made a remarkable growth. Grain and roots especially advanced 

 very rapidly. Haying was delayed some few days by the wet weather, but the greater 

 part of the clover was secured in good condition. 



During August the weather conditions were very much brighter and a great deal 

 of work was ^accomplished. By the end of the month most of the grain on the Farm 

 was ready to cut. All plots of barley were cut during the last week of August. Roots 

 continued to make very rapid growth. The highest temperature recorded during 

 August was on the 3rd, 80° F., the lowest on the 21st, 33° F., and out of a possible of 

 474 hours sunshine only 238-1 hours were recorded. 



September was, on the whole, very fine. Though light showers fell on eight 

 different days, the precipitation was not heavy. Very fair harvest weather wa3 



