BE PORT OF MR. THOMAS A. SHARP E. 315 



with a strong north wind, which continued blowing for several days, and on Januaiy 

 30th the temperature recorded here was 13 below zero, the lowest point reached. 

 The weather began to gi-ow milder early in February, but continued cold through 

 that month and March, followed by a cold wet spring, delaying seeding, and early 

 sown grain did not germinate for a considerable time. 



The fii'st grain was sown on April 10th, which was nearly one month later than 

 last year, and vegetation was fully a month behind the average time. As the growth 

 progressed, the damage done to fruit trees by the frost, and the long continued cold 

 drying winds became more apparent. 



The cold wet character of the spring continued up to the last of June, 

 when it became warmer, and in July a drought of nearly six weeks set in, and as a 

 consequence, late sown grain, of which there was a good deal, did not ripen early 

 enough to escape the rains which set in early in September. 



The hay crop is fair, but grain, roots and fruits are not nearly up to the average 

 in quality or quantity. 



This has been the most unfavourable year for farming operations, since the 

 Experimental Farm was started. 



Hops. 



Hops, which I mentioned in my last report as being tried in several localities, 

 have given good returns, and are commanding very fair prices. Preparations are 

 being made in many places to plant yards on quite aii extensive scale, as well as to 

 add to those already planted. Reports as far as received are to the effect that the 

 hop louse has given very little trouble this year, and in the few cases where they 

 dicl appear, they received prompt attention. 



Fruit. 



Fruit, I am glad to report is receiving more attention each year. More trees 

 have been planted this year in this province than in any previous year, and more 

 interest is being taken in studying the best methods of cultivation, &c., as well as 

 the best means of fighting the various fruit pests. 



The severe weather injured the fall wheat crops on the Experimental Farm, 

 but some varieties suffered much less than others, although all were treated exactly 

 alike, as to time of sowing, soil, exposure, etc. 



About ten acres of new land has been ploughed this season and probably nearly 

 us much more will be broken up before the season is over. About twenty acres of 

 land has been cleared of brush and timber, and this, when all is burned off, will be 

 sown to grass seed and added to the pasture available for stock. 



FALL WHEAT, 



During the high winds in January, the earth was blown off the roots of the 

 wheat plants, and a very large percentage of the crop perished, while those that 

 lived did not start to grow until very late in the spring, Consequenth' the varieties 

 were all late in ripening as shown by the accompanying table. There was no smut 

 on the wheat this year. 



