Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-01-22

world, and his orchard is one OF the snow
places Of the Big Horn basin country.
Prof. Buffum, Plant Breeder.
Plant breeding insofar as It relates TO the
development OF grain and forage that can
be successfully grown in the Big Horn
basin. Wyoming, is a subject that is han
died in a thorough manner by Prof D. c.
Buffum Of Worland Wye. who is here in
connection with the Burlingtons exhibit
at the Land Show. Prof. Buffum has been
engaged in experimental work for the last
twenty years and has many valuable things
to say to those who would locate in the
Big Horn basin. He comes here as spe-
cial agent representing the state Of Wyom-
ing, appointed by Governor Carey.
Every afternoon and evening during the
show he will give scientific lectures on
grain growing. naturalization and all of the
ramifications of grain and forage develop
ment. He will deal particularly with
emmer, a grain that has been successfully
grown In the northern states. Mr. Buffum,
who was for many years director of the
/ Wyoming station OF experiments is now
connected with the Wyoming Plant and
Seed Breeding company, which has extern
sive farms in the Big Horn basin on the
new main line of the Burlington across the
state of Wyoming. In this region there is
]
in the state Of Wyoming. The object OF
the company with which Prof. Buffum IS
connected is to adapt and introduce suit
able farm crops and forage for dry farm
ing and irrigation in the west
Improve stock Food.
Because Of the Importance of the live
stock industry in the northwest" says
Prof Buffum "our first problem has been
to improve stock food At present We are
working on alfalfa and other forage and
developing new fattening grains as the
concentrates In animal rations. We now
have seventy varieties and strains of al
falfa, including a number of new hybrids
which were produced by crossing. The
first grain to be perfected and which is
ready for the market for this season Is
the improved winter emmer. Emmer is a
drouth resisting form OF wheat which does
not shell out but retains the hun like the
barley. The common typejjof this grain
was introduced in the United States from
Russia by the Department of Agriculture
at Washington, and some OF II was sent
to the different experimental stations for
trial.
by plant breeding methods this grair
was made to change its character becom
ing larger, darker in color, more produc
tive and harder than the original grains
From the first plant It has increased II
Z three seasons to 40 bushels, all of which
have been planted for the supply which
+ will be sold the coming season. Thi
emmer is adapted to the mountain regions
{ and will take the place of corn. 1t will
J yield more per acre and can be grown
! more cheaply than any other reed grain
The hulls of the grain are of great i'm
! portance in feeding as they help balanc
. the rations, insuring perfect digestion ant
preventing what is known among stock
men as going off feed
: 1T is thought that this grain can b
adapted to a wide section of country, 70
It can be grown any place where white
wheat or rye can be successfully produced
r. The common emmer from which this graf
was originated has been successfully grow
in both the northern states and in tn
south. The most remarkable achievement
I so far in breeding these grains has been /
q winter wheat and the sporting winter EN-
Z mer. From the hybridization has arisen
\ series of new grains. Some of them ar
a new species, and from these it is probabl
:, that we will obtain improved forms whic
!, viii be Of great value to our farming il
: terests. The improved winter emmer wi
be worth many millions of dollars to stoc
, feeders. new wheat has also been Pre-
= duced which seems to have the hardines
y and qualities OF the Turkey Red variet
3 and is beardless."