803 EXrEUlMEKTAL FARMS 



5 GEORGE v., A. 1915 



EXPERIMENTAL STATION, LETHBRIDGE, ALTA. 

 W. H. FAIRFIELD, M.S., SUPERINTENDENT. 



SEASONAL CONDITIOXS. 



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



praiii, however, suffered, many areas in the winter wheat fiekls being badly 



injured owing to the high dry winds 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-sown grain. The rainfall for 



the growing season was as follows : — 



Inches 



April .. {)-'r2 



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 nidnth moisture was 

 abundant, 4-3 inches out of 4-7 inches for the month falling during this period. 

 The late rain, however, stimulated a second growth which caused uneven ripening 

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

 result with oats was better, the second groAvth being so strong and vigorous that it 

 reached maturity before any serious loss was suffered 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 the best was along the Aldcr'^yde branch of the C.P.R. from Monarch and 

 Carniangay. 



As in past seasons, the varietal tests M-ith the different grains have been carried 

 on both with and without irrigation, and to avoid confusion the report is divided into 

 two parts. The first deals with the part of the farm on which no irrigation is applied. 



