Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1908-06-13

pertinent station staff are planning a
very active line of investigation along
their respective lines during the COM
ing summer. Practically the entire
station staff will be at Pullman during
the three summer months. Various
experiments now under way will mon
opolze the entire attention of the
staff workers, and by fall it is hoped
that in popular and regular bulletins.
results can be announced which will
be of interest to the farming popula-
tion of the state
In the department of agriculture.
the most important line of investiga-
tion is in connection with the produc-
tion of large quantities of seed wheat.
both of new varieties originating at
the station, and those introduced from
other localities; and with important
strains of some Of the "set" varieties.
Several varieties of oats have been
introduced from eastern states, and
from Europe, aud are giving very
promising returns, They are now be
ing cultivated in large enough quaint
ties to enable the staff to distribute
seed to the farmers of the state this
fall. A beginning is being made this
year in the production of some import
ant varieties of barley, also.
The production of corn will receive
unusually careful attention this sum
mer. Two we'll acclmated varieties
are being grown in large quantities,
and in addition TO this, some special
breeding plots have been established
on which important strains of these
varieties will be propagated. Two
more silos will be built, making
total Of four silos, all of which will be
filled with this years crop.
Several hybrid wheats which yield
considerably larger crops than any of
the best yielding varieties now pro-
duced in Washington, are being grown
in quantities large enough for general
distribution this fall. These are all
fall wheats, and have been very care
fully selected with the view Of getting
them we'll adapted to the requirements
of eastern Washington. In addition
to this. several important strains of
the more common varieties have been
selected, and are being carefully cult
waited with the view Of improving both
their yield and milling quality.
A seven-year rotation experiment"
is being brought to a close this sum
mer. 1t has shown very marked
differences in the effect on the fertil-
ity and productiveness of the soil,
when the latter is handled by differ
ent systems of cropping. The plots
which have been in continuous wheat
culture show very marked decreases in
yield, when compared with soils
which have grown wheat in connection
with some other crop. The beneficial
effect of peas on the crop has been es-
pecially noticeable,
A new experiment to determine the
effect that different systems of feeding
have upon the health of sows, and
their productiveness, has been inaug-
urated, and will receive careful atten-
tion during the coming summer.
This department also has established
experimental farms at Quincy and
Connell for the investigation of dry
land farming problems. Here also.
different methods of conserving mois-
ture will be studied. Some very prom
ising results in the yields of wheat by
improved methods of cultivation on
these farms are indicated by the pres
ent condition of crops.
A tract of land has been leased at
Sunnyside for experiments in the ap-
plication of water to irrigated crops.
A very extended feeding experiment
will be commenced during the summer
in cooperation with large feeder in
the Yakima Valley. Two hundred
and fifty head ofisteers will be fed in
different lots under the direction of the
animal husbandry man of the station
to determine the different results OBJ
tanned by feeding alfalfa nay from the
different cuttings, and different stages
of growth at which the crop is cut in
the Yakima Valley.
In the chemistry department, a very
extended series of analyses to discover
proper method for breeding wheat.