PREFACE 



It was not the original intention of the Experiment Station to 

 prepare and publish a work on the Flora of Colorado. The con- 

 ditions of the State, the character of the flora, which is so different 

 from that of the east, forced the necessity of collections and the 

 study of local flora by the botanists of the Agricultural College 

 and Experiment Station from the very first. The economic study 

 of Colorado plants, especially the search for those which might be 

 adapted to arid conditions, increased this necessity. Opportunity 

 was furnished by collections of grasses and forest products for the 

 World's Fair, and occasion was always taken when trips were made 

 for any purpose, to obtain additional specimens. In the course of 

 time the collection became so extensive that unless put in form for 

 publication the time and expense involved would be lost, and the 

 work which had been done would be of little service to us, and of 

 none to the public in general. 



Some systematic collection was done by Professor James Cassidy, 

 Professor of Botany (1881-1889), in the intervals of his many 

 duties, up to the time of his death in 1889. His successor, Professor 

 C. S. Crandall, gave much time to the work, especially after the 

 establishment of the experimental grass station in cooperation with 

 the U. S. Department of Agriculture. This afforded occasion and 

 opportunity for trips in search of promising species of native grasses. 

 Subsequent collections, especially of forest products and grasses 

 for the World's Fair in 1893, gave rise to further collecting trips 

 to various parts of the State. Enthusiastic aid was given by 

 Mr. J. H. Cowan, an energetic and promising student, who became 

 Professor of Horticulture and Botany upon the resignation of 

 Professor Crandall, but whose promising career was terminated by 

 death before he had entered upon the active duties of the position. 

 By this time the collection was of considerable size, had been in- 

 creased by exchanges, and represented much time and expense. 

 A great many calls came for information, and it was at first 

 thought to publish only a list of the plants which were represented 

 in our own collection. The pressing demands and many duties, as 

 well as the lack of facilities, made it difficult for Professor Paddock 



ix 



