Imperial Valley press., 1944-03-12

To give a report on the research
work being carried on at Meloland
would take volumes for the work
is SO extensive that one wonders
how such a small staff, working
hgainst wartime labor shortages,
tan complete SO much work each
year and still retain their interest
in the work. But to meet and know
Mr.. Goar, one also knows why the
station is successful and why the
farmers of the valley quote him as
IN authority.
STARTED IN 1918
L. G.. Goar came to the expert
mental farm in the fall of 1918 and
With the exception of intervals to-
ya1ling about nine years, he has
been connected with the station
nearly 20 years. But while this is
a long span in the term of mans
life, Mr. Goar waved it aside by
pointing out that agriculture itself
is mans oldest industry and only
during the past century, and more
particularly the last SO years, have
any advancement or strides been
made in the study of agriculture
and its complications, of which
there are thousands, he said.
During its more than 80 years
of history, the Meloland station has
been one of the major factors in
the transformation of the valley
from a barren wasteland into one
pf the worlds most productive farm
ing areas. With no precedent to
guide them in the early days, and
with this area recognized as one
having the most unique soil and
Irrigation problems of any area,
the soil scientists at the station
have successfully solved many OF
Jhe major problems affecting crop
planting and production under the
soil and climatic conditions of this
below sea level depression of the
hitherto great Colorado desert.
VARIED EXPERIMENTS
A brief summary to demonstrate
he work being done at the plant
will amaze agriculturistS, for on
Che 80 acres nearly 100 soil, seed
and plant tests are being carried
Dn this spring. Among the most
Important experiments is the test
ing of IL drug and condiments var
cites, IA varieties of sugar beets,
l6 sorghums, 27 grasses and legumeS
:or pasture and forage, IA varieties
bf flax as we'll as seed increase
bf xhree varieties of flax, plus many
bther tests of seeds, and long-term
experiments with rotation meth
pds, and the planting of seeds for
bther college experiment stations
Dver the nation, to name just
few of the projects carried on in
bhe interest of better crop produc-
lion.
Additional and related projects
include: the growing of sorghums
for sugar; continuation of tests on
Sugar beets; extension of tests with
lax; rust resistant wheat; trials
bf different varieties of barley; pas
ure plant experimentation which
included the long-range study of
permanent and short-term pasture
grasses and legumes; crop rotation
projects running over several years;
production of foundation seed and
he furnishing of information to
he state as well as Imperial VAL
ey growers, are just few of the
programs.
rs REAL PROBLEM
To select the program that has
he most interest and is getting the
most attention from the Meloland
oil scientists is problem because
hey are doing everything with a
purpose. However, at the moment,
Our major projects loom as the
most important.
The testing of sorghums for su-
lar content with the purpose of
Establishing nearly a year-around
ugar processing program from
beets and sorghums; the growing
bf condiments for spices and flavor
ngs; the growing of drug crops
UGH as psycillium; the study of
sugar beets and growing and harv-
FSting seasons.
Sixteen varieties of sorghums are
being studied by the station this
eason. The main purpose of the
Experiments this year is to deter
hine the sugar content of the sorgh-
I'm with the possibility of growing
he crop in Imperial Valley to fill
n the gap between fall and spring
planting of other crops as we'll as
lengthen the sugar processing
plants season.
CITES SORGHUM
Reviewing last years development
n sorghums which may easily be-
.ome one of the valleys leading
rops, Superintendent Goar said his
eport on the waxy sorghum intro
luced by a commercial milling COM
,any last year was fair, But tor