The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1899-08-11
THE EXPERIMENTAL STATIONS
Interesting observations by DirectOr
Allen During a Prolonged Tour
of the Western states.


Washington, Aug. 7.-Dr. E. w. AL
len, assistant director of experiment
stations in the agricultural depart
ment, has just returned from pro-
| longed tour of the west, made for the
| purpose of inspecting the various sta
tons in that section.
Discoveries in Cheese Making.
He states that one of the most in
teresting lines of investigation which
is being pursued in these stations is
that with regard to cheese making.
The station in Wisconsin is taking the
lead in this especial work, and discos-
cries have been made there which rev.
olutionize the European theory that
the ripening of cheese is due to bac-
terra. The American experiments dem
onstrate beyond doubt that the prin-
cipal change in the albuminoids which
takes place in the ripening process is
dependent upon a ferment which is
contained in the milk itself and not
to the bacteria. 1t is believed this dis
covery will have an important bearing
upon cheese manufacture in the fU
ture.
In the stations throughout the semi
arid region much attention is being
given to the investigation of excessive
alkali in the soil. In many sections,
notably in California and Utah, there
are large regions of irrigated land
which are practically non-productive
on account of the presence of alkali.
Investigation makes it plain this is
due to irrigation, and in many in
stances to excessive irrigation. The
water applied to the soil brings the
some instances it has been found that
the lower portion of streams had been
rendered very alkaline by the return
of these salts in the water from the
irrigated fields.
Too Much Water Used.
The work of the experiment stations
in connection with this problem is to
find remedy for the evil, and this
they are seeking to do by demonstrate
ing that in most instances crops do not
require nearly SO much water as is APP
piled to them. They are working along
practical lines in the solution of the
problem and in some cases the more
progressive farmers are cooperating
with them. Evidentally they hope TO
be able to show just what quantity is
required for a given crop in a given
locality, and count, when able to do
this, not only upon saving from de-
struction much land already under
ditch, but also upon extending the IT.
rigable area by demonstrating that
more land can be supplied with water
from the available supply than now is.
To Secure Suitable Forage Plants.
In Montana, Idaho and other semi
arid states there is much work look
ing to securing forage plants adapted
to the latitude and climate. In those
states most satisfactory results have
been secured with the cow pea, which
is generally planted with oats. Red
clover is also found to flourish in tlat
section even better than in the east
ern states.
In other regions much attention is
given to the rotation of crops.
Regarded with Growing Favor.
DR.. Allen reports growing friend
ship towards the experiment stations
on the part of the farmers. When the
stations were first established they
were regarded as an innovation, but in
many instances the farmers have come
now to depend on them and most of
them regard the stations with favor.