REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR 77 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



Bain fall — 



June, 2 -3S inches; spread well over the whole month; fogs as well. 

 July, 2-90 inches; spread well over the whole month; fair; warmer. 

 August 1 to 13, 3 -36 inches ; no fogs ; very warm. 

 September 8 to 30, 1 *65 inches ; no fogs ; very warm ; dry gales. 

 October 3 to 24, 3, -GO inches; no fogs; warm; some high winds. 



' You will see from this that the trying time was from August 13 to October 3, 

 with only 1*65 of rain, no fogs and very warm weather for Sable Island. The ther- 

 mometer averaged high all summer. 



' This drought killed most of the weaklings, and the high winds burned the leaves 

 off the deciduous trees between September 21 and 26, during which time it blew a con- 

 tinuous gale from S.W. around to north. After the gale subsided, the leaves were as 

 though a fire had run close to the trees and scorched them. It was not cold, and we 

 have had no frost yet. 



' Many of these trees were very promising, and some of them are budding again 

 Bince we have had rains. We have had a fair amount of blooms from the roses which 

 were much appreciated. We also had a sample of the strawberries. Many of the va- 

 rieties made good growth, but we shall be able to judge better as to their permanent 

 hardiness here next July.' 



' Now, as I think I have shown you the worst side, I will show the other. All the 

 evergreens looked dull during the drought, but after we had a few rains they improved 

 wonderfully. All the pines, except the white pine P. strobus are looking splendidly 

 and have made growth. The plants from the pine seed also grew well, but lately I 

 noticed that many were turning a bluish cast. Some spruces survive, but few look 

 promising. Arbor-vitse suffered much from drought, but there are many promising 

 specimens in various localities.' 



' This general statement of the conditions of the trees applies to all planted in the 

 various localities, but I think Gourdeau Park, l£ miles east of main station, is most 

 promising, and next is 4th station plot. In all plots planted the weeds and grass has 

 grown freely, and I am satisfied now that this is best for the trees; it gives shelter. 

 If the ground had been kept clear the drifting sand would abrade the bark, and it is 

 very noticeable that trees do best where sheltered by grass or wild plants. In ' Gour- 

 deau Park ' there is shelter owing to the conformation of the ground, and the slopes 

 have different exposures. I find where the slopes are exposed to the south-west and 

 west winds (our prevailing winds) the trees are least promising.' 



The experience thus far had covers too brief a period to permit of the forming of 

 any decided opinion as to the ultimate success of this experiment in tree planting on 

 Sable Island. It does, however, seem to me notwithstanding the unfavourable condi- 

 tions that the outlook is promising. The work is most interesting and the outcome of 

 it will be carefully watched and the results obtained recorded from time to time in our 

 reports. 



AGKICULTUEAL AND HORTICULTURAL DISPLAYS AT THE GLASGOW 



EXHIBITION. 



The immense resources of Canada as a food producing country and the important 

 position which agriculture occupies here are not yet very well known in Great Britain, 

 and one of the objects in view in the exhibit made in Glasgow was to bring before the 

 visitors some practical evidences of these remarkable agricultural resources and of the 

 great progress made in recent years towards their development. With the very large 

 variety and abundance of material available at the Experimental Farms, the assistance 

 of the Departments of Agriculture of the provinces and the kind co-operation of lead- 



