REPORT OF TEE DIRECTOR 93 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



tion, the two most notable features being the bigh yields from deep planting as 

 opposed to shallow planting and from level cultivation as opposed to ridging. 



BUILDINGS. 



The contract was let in September for a large barn, but because of danger of 

 frost, work could not be continued on this, and there is still insufficient accommoda- 

 tion for the live stock. There is also need of space for grain, and particularly for 

 the variety samples. 



DISTRIBUTION OF SAMPLES. 



In the spring of 1912 there were 176 samples of potatoes sent out, besides a num- 

 ber of samples of caragana, maple and ash seed. 



WATER SUPPLY AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL. 



In the report of 1910 the water supply system and the sewage disposal system 

 were described, and now, after 3£ years of continuous trial, their efficiency has been 

 proven. The only mistake that was made was in the laying of the tile drain, leading 

 from the septic tank to the cesspool, 7 feet deep instead of 9 feet. At 7 feet the pipe 

 froze in the winter of 1911, and in July of that year was laid two feet deeper, since 

 which time it has continued to do efficient service. 



THE GROUNDS. 



The work in the horticultural department was considerably extended in 1912, 

 and in March of this year (1913) the services of an experienced gardener were secured. 



EXPERIMENTAL STATION FOR NORTHWEST SASKATCHEWAN. 



Scott, Sask. 

 character of season. 



The crop season of 1912 opened favourably. Work on the land commenced with 

 (harrowing on the 11th day of April, and on the 13th the varieties of spring wheat 

 were sown. The soil was in good condition and, generally, the seed went into a 

 favourable seed bed. After seeding, germination was uniform, and the grain crops 

 had a good start. During May,, the rainfall was moderate, amounting to 2-46 inches. 

 In June, the precipitation was 2-19 inches. This low rainfall for June was associated 

 with hot weather, which tended to hasten early varieties of grain towards maturity, 

 at a sacrifice of yield. In July, a very heavy rainfall was recorded, totalling 6 -10 

 inches. This amount of moisture, coming late in the season, benefited the slower- 

 maturing grains to some extent. However, a second growth was so encouraged that 

 the sample, in many cases, was marred by the immature grain appearing among the 

 good. The length of the growing season made it possible for all crops to mature, 

 September 15 being the date of the first damaging frost. 



In this part of Saskatchewan, the crops in 1912 were good. On account of other 

 unfavourable conditions, however, the year rates as a poor one from a grain-grower's 



standpoint. 



The open season for fall work was short, the plough being stopped by October 

 31. Owing to the scarcity of labour (all of which was required for threshing opera- 



