724 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



7 GEORGE V, A. 1917 



I 



EXPERIMENTAL STATION, KENTVILLE, N.S. 



REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT, W. SAXBY BLAIR. 



This is the fourth annual report of the horticultural work carried on at this 

 Station and covers such experiments as it is thought are sufficiently advanced to be 

 of value. Some additional fruit trees were planted during the past season and the 

 orchard that it is proposed to plant has been practically completed. A list of the 

 orchard fruits is given in this report. Trials were continued this season with veget- 

 ables of different kinds, a report of some of which is given herewith. The annual and 

 perennial flowering plants and bulbs made their usual attractive show. The experi- 

 mental orchard work was continued at Berwick, Kings county; Falmouth, Hants 

 county; and Bridgetown, Annapolis county, a report of which is given. 



The fruit crop on the average was not of high quality. The season was particu- 

 larly favourable for apple scab and the weather was unsuitable for effective spraying 

 resulting in much of the fruit going into the number three pack. The crop, where 

 persistent and thorough spraying was done, packed out well. The apple crop was about 

 two-thirds an average yield. Owing to the high freight rates the exported fruit did 

 not net the growers as much as that disposed of locally. 



The past winter has been a severe on6 on peach trees, and they have killed back 

 considerably. Shrubs not very hardy have also killed back some. Strawberries came 

 through the winter in excellent condition. 



THE WEATHER. 



Owing to a low uniform temperature throughout the latter part of April and the 

 / first week in May the fruit trees remained practically dormant. The mean average 

 temperature for the last half of April, first and last halves of May and first half of 

 June were 39-4, 43-76, 48-37 and 56-7 degrees Fahr., respectively, as compared with 

 41-2, 43-04, 57-5 and 54-26 degrees for 1914, and with 47 -93v 44-73, 47 -97 and 58-3 

 degrees for 1913. ' 



Slight frosts occurred on May 7, 11, 14, 15, and 17, when the temperatures recorded 

 were 30, 32, 32, 28 and 28 degrees Fahr., respectively. No frosts were recorded here 

 during the latter part of May and early June when the fruit was in the blossoming 

 stage. Slight frosts were reported from Berwick and Falmouth on June 3, but these 

 were so slight that no damage resulted. 



During the second week in May the fruit trees began to put forth their leaves and 

 spraying commenced on May 14. From this date to the end of the month more or less 

 sunshine was recorded each day except on the 16th, 18th, 22nd, and 2Sth. Rain fell, 

 however, during the day on the 15th, 18th, 19th, 23rd, 27th and 29th, and during the 

 night on the 16th, 19th, 22nd, 24th and 27th. The total precipitation during this 

 period was not great, amounting to only 0-85 inch, of which 0-42 inch fell on the 

 nights of the 19th and 27th. This unsettled weather during the early spraying opera- 

 tions hampered the work very much and much less spraying was done at this time 

 than there Avould have been had the weather been more favourable. Cherries, plums 

 and strawberries were in full bloom during the last days of May. 



The first week in June was bright and free from rain, making conditions ideal for 

 the trees to put forth their blossoms. Gravensteins were in full bloom on June 3, and 

 the winter varieties on June 8. This fair weather of early June was followed by an 



