846 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



7 GEORGE V, A. 1917 



EXPERIMENTAL FARM, INDIAN HEAD, SASK. 



REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT, W. H. GIBSON, B.S.A. 



The growing season of 1915 was not favourable for early vegetables. The months 

 of April, May, and the early part of June were very dry, and vegetable seeds came up 

 somewhat unevenly, and, in a few cases, had to be resown. A moderate rainfall was 

 received during the latter part of June and throughout July, August, and September. 

 This, with an abundance of sunshine, brought all vegetables along well and an average 

 crop was obtained. 



Frost was experienced every month during the season, which checked tender 

 flowers and vegetables to some extent. 



Fruit trees and bushes blossomed profusely but a severe frost on June 7 killed all 

 bloom, and no fruit was obtained. 



Potatoes gave good yields on the Experimental Farm, but throughout the district 

 the crop was not up to the average. 



Exhibits of flowers and vegetables were made at the summer fairs held in Regina, 

 Swift Current, Wolseley, and Whitewood. 



Insect pests gave some trouble during the early summer but were easily kept in 

 control by the application of an insecticide at the proper season. 



FRUIT TREES. 



There are at present about one thousand crossrbred and standard apple trees in 

 the several orchards on the Indian Head Farm. The cross-bred varieties were origin- 

 ated by the late Dr. Wm. Saunders, and have been under test at this farm since 1903. 

 These were produced by crossing standard varieties of apples with the hardy Siberian 

 crab (Pyrus haccata). The trees have proved perfectly hardy at Indian Head, and 

 produce good crops almost every season. The fruit is about the size of an ordinary 

 crab, and is suitable for preserving and making jelly. Severe frost during the early 

 part of June prevented any crop being obtained this past season. Those that have 

 proved the best are Charles, Columbia, Silvia, Jewel, Prince, Pioneer, Tony and Eve. 



Of late years, considerable attention has been given to growing standard apples, 

 the object being to find some varieties hardy enough to withstand our severe seasons. 

 In 1913, fifty 2-year old trees were obtained from Mr. A. P. Stevenson of Dunston, 

 Manitoba. These were set out in a well sheltered location, and have come through 

 their third winter in -periect condition. In 1914 an additional 150 2-year old trees 

 were set out but, ovring to the dry season, made a very poor growth and the following 

 spring 20 per cent were found to be dead. Those that came through made a good 

 growth this past season and went into the winter in fine condition. The varieties under 

 test are Wealthy, Hibernal, Blushed Oalville, Volga Anis, Anisette, Repka Kislaga, 

 Charlamoff, Hyslop, Transcendent, Philip, Lyman, and Whitney. The last five named 

 are crab apples. 



PLUMS. 



Until recent years very little success could be reported with plums. Up to 1908 

 this work had consisted in selecting superior strains of the native Manitoba sorts, and 

 by such methods some very good fruit was obtained. In the spring of 1908 a number 



