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 piYISIOiN OF HORTICULTURE 



879 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



EXPERIMENTAL STATION, LETHBRIDGE, ALTA. 



REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT, W. H. FAIRFIELD, M.S. 



CHARACTER OF SEASOK 



The year 1915 proved to be an exceptional one for small and tree fruits, vege- 

 tables, and flowers. The weather during the fall of 1914 was favourable to the ripen- 

 ing up of all tree growth so that bushes and trees of all kinds went into the winter 

 in excellent condition. During the late summer and fall more than the normal amount 

 of rain and snow fell so that the soil was thoroughly wet. The winter of 1914-15 was 

 exceptional in character in that the dry winds usually so prevalent were entirely 

 lacking. Instead of long periods during the winter with the land bare of snow there 

 was continuous sleighing from the first week in December to the first week in March. 

 The weather during April and May was normal with no sudden or severe cold dips 

 and the result was profuse bloom on all fruit, flowering ti'ees and shrubs. All the 

 apple trees on the Station as well as in the district that were old enough to bear had 

 fruit. During the summer there was an ample rainfall so that taking everything 

 into consideration the season from a horticultural standpoint was extremely satis- 

 factory. 



The last frost in the spring was on May 16 when 30° Fahr. was registered, 

 although there were very cool nights on June 14 and 15^ when the mercury dropped 

 to 36° as well as on June 28 when 3Y° was recorded. No damage, however, could be 

 noticed even on the most tender foliage. The first frost in the fall came on the night 

 of September 11, when 31° was registered and a killing frost the two succeeding 

 nights, when 26° and 20° were respectively registered. 



Table giving date_.of last frost in the spring and first frost in the fall during the 

 last eight years, from the meteorological records of the Lethbridge Station. 



Average date of last frost in spring May 21. 

 Average date of first frost in fall September 8. 



NO IRRIGATION. 



Owing to the generous rains during May, June, and July no irrigation was 

 required. Consequently in reporting the results from the two farms — irrigated and 

 dry — no separation will be made as has been the custom in past reports. 



