2 GEORGE V. SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 A. 1912 



EXPERIMENTAL STATION FOR 

 PRLNCE EDWARD ISLAND 



J. A. CLARK, B.S.A., SUPERINTENDENT. 



Charlottetown, P. E. I., March 31, 1911. 



Dr. Win. Saunders, C.M.G., 



Director, Dominion Experimental Farms, 

 Ottawa, Canada. 



Sir, — I have the honour to submit herewith the second annual report of the opera- 

 tions on the Experimental Station for Prince Edward Island, at Charlottetown, for the 

 year ending March 31, 1911. 



CHARACTER OF SEASON. 



The winter of 1909-10 began with heavy snow falls. These continued through 

 January until three feet of snow lay on the level, without any frost being in the ground 

 under it. A great mid-winter thaw removed the snow and allowed all the accumulated 

 water to percolate through the unfrozen soil, which, no doubt, assisted much in making 

 the season of 1910 a record one here for grasses, clovers and cereals. 



Spring opened very early. Some ploughing was done on the 12th of April. Sweet 

 peas were sown outside on the 14th. Snow followed this and seeding began about the 

 usual time, May 12. 



Three hoar-frosts occurred in May — on the 5th, 6th and 17th. At the Farm, the 

 thermometer registered 33° F. on these dates. The last spring frost occurred June 6. 

 The weather of June and July was showery and well suited to the growing crops. 

 August and the first half of September was exceptionally dry, with moderate tem- 

 peratures. This gave ideal harvest weather. The first killing frost occurred on 

 October 14. 



A snow-fall of one foot on December 16 gave a week of sJeighing. This was fol- 

 lowed by open weather, wheels being used throughout the country until January 9, 

 when enough snow fell to make good sleighing. February had but one shower of rain 

 and six flurries of snow. The weather of January and February being very cold, the 

 frost entered the ground to a great depth. The first half of March was fine with 

 moderate temperatures. The snow went slowly. The great bulk of the hauling was 

 done during this month. 



The hay crop matured slowly and proved to be the heaviest which has been cut 

 in this province in many years. Wheat, oats and barley yielded at least 30 per cent 

 above the average for a number of seasons. The quality was extra good. Both the hay 

 and grain were saved in good condition owing to the harvest weather being most 

 favourable. 



Roots, vegetables and corn gave about an average yield, with the exception of 

 potatoes which were rather a poor crop generally and rot was very prevalent among 

 them. The apple crop, which was of fair quality, was much below an average yield. 



