1022 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



7 GEORGE V, A. 1917 



EXPERIMENTAL FARM, N APR AN, N.S. 



W. W. BAIRD, B.S.A., SUTERINTENDENT. 

 SEASONAL NOTES. 



The winter of 1914-15 was very unsettled. From January until the last of 

 April, 40 inches of snow and 5-89 inches of rain were recorded with much thawing and 

 freezing. Consequently the ground was bare the greater portion of the winter. 



Spring opened up very late. Wet, cold weather was experienced well on to the 

 last of May. Eain was recorded on ten different days in April and on sixteen in 

 May, giving in that period, 7-72 inches. The mean temperature for May was 4-31° 

 lower than the same period for the previotis year. 



Seeding operations commenced on June 1. Generally speaking, that date held 

 true for the surrounding district. A few on gravelly and sandy farms were able to 

 get some seeding done a few days earlier; but at this Farm, even on the under- 

 drained fields, the land was hardly in a proper tillable state until June 1, owing to tlio 

 excessive amount of moisture in the soil. 



During the first two weeks in June the days were fine and warm, but the nights 

 were cool, 2° of frost being recorded on the night of the 3rd. Therefore, the soil did 

 not warm up readily. The greater portion of the cereals was sown during this period 

 and notwithstanding the cool nights germination was very rapid, as 50 per cent of 

 the grain sown on the 1st appeared above the ground on the 6th and practically all 

 was showing on the 8th. The latter part of the month was very unsettled, wet, 

 muggy weather prevailing. Though wheat and oats continued to make a healthy 

 growth the barley did not. The leaves turned yellow, which greatly retarded the 

 growth. 



The grasses and clovers on the sod ground and most of the new-seeded fields 

 came through the winter in excellent shape. These made exceptionally good growth. 

 The newly-seeded fields that did not fare so well were on exposed hillsides. Neitlicr 

 tlie timothy nor the clover on the latter fields came on until very late in the season. 



July was a good growing month. The weather was fine and warm and six showers 

 that were recorded supplied sufficient moisture to stimulate the grov?th of all vege- 

 tation. Owing to the bad weather conditions early in the season, roots were not 

 seeded until July 3 and part much later, the land not being workable. 



August was quite unseasonable. Much rainy weather was experienced during 

 the early and latter parts. The total precipitation was 4-67 inches; yet the mean 

 temperature was 2° higher than for the same period the previous year. Roots made 

 only fair growth, chiefly due to so much wet weather and the consequent abundance 

 of weeds and the insufiicient cultivation. All cereals made good growth, but weather 

 was most unsatisfactory for hay-making. 



September was rather cool throughout The first two weeks were very fine with 

 much fog in the early mornings. The weather was most favourable for the ripening 

 of grain; in fact grain ripened up too quickly with the result that it did not fill so 

 Avell. A heavy rain and wind storm on the 26th did much damage in lodging grain. 



October was unsettled. The thermometer dropped to 24° on the 2nd. From the 

 3rd to 0th the weather was dull and rainy. The remainder of the month was fairly 

 fine and cool with frequent light showers. During the fine weather the remaining 

 portion of the grain was stored. 



