DIVISIOX OF HORTICULTURE 869 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



EXPERIMENTAL STATION, SCOTT, SASK. 



KEPORT OF THE ACTING SUPERINTENDENT, MILTON J. TINLINE, B.S.A. 



CHARACTER OF SEASON. 



The first part of April was cool and cloudy, the latter part much warmer. Strong 

 winds did considerable damage to the fruit and vegetable gardens during the last few 

 days of the month. 



May was cool and unsettled, with high winds. By the third week in May, a 

 number of young apple and plum trees were in bloom. The red currant bushes were 

 also a mass of bloom at that time. 



Sharp frosts, as late as June 16, damaged beans, potatoes, corn, tomatoes, etc. 

 Rain was recorded on seventeen days, with a total precipitation of 3 -74 inches. Early 

 in the month the flowering shrubs were blooming freely. Annual flower seeds, sown in 

 the open, germinated well. 



The coolness of the nights was particularly noticeable during both June and July. 

 This retarded the development of some of the more tender kinds of vegetables. Very 

 little precipitation was recorded after July 16. 



August was much warmer, with very little rainfall. An excellent crop of small 

 fruits was harvested, while, notwithstanding the dry weather, annual flowers bloomed 

 freely. One degree of frost was recorded on the 23rd, but did very little injury. 



The frosts from the 9th to the 14th of September, were unusually severe. The 

 more tender kinds of vegetables were harvested early in the month, but the frost injured 

 vegetables that are usually considered quite hardy, such as beets, onions, etc. 



With the exception of a snowstorm on the 6th fine weather was experienced 

 throughout October. 



The ground froze up on November 8, and snow fell on the 9th. For the most 

 part the weather during November and December was reasonably mild. 



Commencing with January 3, severe winter weather set in; the minimum tem- 

 perature on the 11th being .35-4'' below zero. The cold and stormy weather cc^.tinued 

 up to the middle of February. The average mean temperature for January being 18-1°. 

 A thaw from the 14th to the 25th of February made a break in a cold winter. From 

 the latter date to almost the end of March the weather continued cold. Somewhat 

 warmer weather was experienced during the last few days of March. 



EXHIBITIONS. 



An important feature of the exhibit sent out from this Station to the summer 

 fairs, was a collection of small fruits; currants, raspberries, gooseberries, and straw- 

 berries which attracted considerable attention. A display of perennial flowers called 

 forth many favourable comments. The fruit and flowers were supplied fresh for each 

 fair, and added greatly to the general effect. As the exhibit was staged at seven central 

 fairs in comparatively new districts, it is hoped that the interest aroused will lead to 

 the addition of fruit and flower gardens to a number of the farm and village homes. 



