Gilpin observer., 1904-07-14
THE FARM AND RANGE
Experiment stations.

experiment station at Fort Collins,
,, Colorado, and stations in New Mexi--
co and Wyoming, says:
The Colorado station has continued
lines Of work formerly in progress,
giving considerable attention to irri-
CATION Investigations, the utilization of
by-products of the sugar beet and hor-
ticultural Investigations. The chem
ist has made digestion experiments
with sheep on coarse folders, and the
agricultural soiling experiments with
cows and feeding experiments with
pigs. The results of a number of feed
ing experiments with COWS, pigs and
lambs have been published. The chem
ist is also studying the changes in the
composition and character of the SOL
ids and sediment of irrigation waters
at different stages, and also in stored
water. The horticultllrist is studying
the Rhizoctonia OF potatoes-the cause
of large tops and no tubers. and con-
Quoting a number of experiments in
! cooperation with large number of
farmers to secure varieties resistant
to Rhizoctonia. He is also conducting
cooperative experiments with fertiliz-,
ers for fruit trees. The experiments
! now include Investigations of the glu-
ten content of wheat, sugar beet in
vestigations, the influence of environ
ment on the sugar content of musk
melons, and the available plant food
in soils with the bureau of chemistry;
investigations of the conditions and
limitations incident to the extension
of the dairying industry in the short
| grass country between the Mississippi
valley and the Rocky mountains with
the bureau of animal industry. On the.
farm the breeding and selection Of
macaroni wheats have been given at
tention, and there have also been ex-
periments with varieties of wheat in
the San Luis valley to secure an ear
lier rpening variety. Range expert
ments have been in progress on tract
belonging to the college farm.
The Cheyenne Wells farm is also
leased. The station maintains two
field agents one in the Arkansas val
ley and one on the plains, who have
been doing considerable useful work
in practical way and in the dissemin-
alton of information, the collection of
data, etc. A reservoir with an area of
fifty acres and an inlet for conducting
storm water from an extensive water
shed have been under construction
during the year, and a structure for
central heating plant is nearing
completion. The last Legislature made
an appropriation of $4,000 for build
ing for the department. of civil and ir-
rigation engineering at the college, in
which provision will also be made for
the office of the station director Sew
eral changes in the station staff. es-
pecially among the assistants, have oc-
Cured during the year. The vacancy
in the position of professor of agricul-
ture in the college and agriculturist
of the station has been filled by the
election Of w. l.. Carlyle, of the Uni
versity of Wisconsin. The director Of
the station has been made state irri-'
cation engineer. but still retains his
position in the station.
The Colorado station has investiga-
tions of considerable importance in
progress. The most extensive and i'm
portant problems under consideration.
are those relating to irrigation. and it
is much to be desired that nothing
shall interfere with the vigorous and
systematic prosecution of these inves-
LEGATIONS. The farm operations Of this
station need to be more fully put un-
der the control of it's expert officers.
Lack of funds has compelled the sta
ton to restrict its work in a number
of directions. including especially hor.
ticulture and animal husbandry. and it
is hoped that means may be provided
soon for extending the work of the sta.
ton along these important lines.
The principal lines of work conduct
ed at the Colorado station during the
past year were as follows: Chemistry.
analysis OF soils and irrigation waters.
sugar beet Investigations. studies OF
methods of analyzing, feeding stuffs.
etc; field experiments, variety tests
of wheat and oats for different alti--
tudes; horticulture: diseases Of plants:
entomology, study of the coddling
moth. grasshoppers. various borers
and leaf rollers. cutworms and insects
working on sugar beets and canta-
loupes: irrigation. use of water, meas
urements of losses from bitches, stud
les of means for economizing water.
measurements of seepage on the
Platte. the Arkansas, the Rio Grande
and their tributaries.
The income Of the station during the
past fiscal year is given as $16,127.72,
of which $4,000 was given by Con.
gress, $133,67 derived from farm
products and $994.05 from miscella-
neous sources.
The work of the New Mexico expert
ment station at Mesilla Park. New
Mexico. is also covered. Its income is
given as $17,6l5. of which Congress
uOudteu 3lo,VVV, tnt LebisldtuTe @tou,
and 81 .S65.91 was obtained from farm
products.
The principal lines of work conduct
ed at the New Mexico station during
the past year were as follows: Chem
istry, chemical survey of the waters OF
the territory. analytical work. study OF
the ash Of native plants; field expert
ments, alfalfa. grasses for lawns and
pastures. cereals. soil renovators, for
age crops; soils; feeding experiments
with dairy cows, steers and sheep to
tost the value OF various grains and
forage crops for soiling and for dry