ARIZONA. 49 



including some experiments in the artificial ripening of some of the 

 late varieties; a continued study of range problems, with special ref- 

 erence to the value of cacti as feed for cattle, in cooperation with the 

 Bureau of Plant Industry of this Department, and the date palm 

 investigations in cooperation with the same Bureau. (PI. I, figs. 1, 

 2, and 3.) The latter investigations have now reached a stage where 

 the distribution of date-palm suckers among the farmers of the State 

 has been begun, and it is hoi)ed that in this way the date-palm zone 

 in the Southwest can be definitely determined. 



Among the lines of work recently taken up are investigations in 

 agriculture and horticulture to secure new crops suited to Arizona 

 conditions, in which plant breeding will be a feature. Among the 

 crops to be tested are alfalfa, small fruits, garden vegetables, and 

 cereals. A determination of the duration of viability in seeds sub- 

 merged under water and investigations in seed selection according to 

 specific gravity are in progress. Attention will be given to farmers' 

 institutes during the current year, funds amounting to $2,300 having 

 been pro\-ided by the legislature for this work. The station also has 

 $1,300 for the establishment of a date orchard in Yuma, and $1,500 

 for printing. 



The station seems to be making distinct progress in its date-palm 

 investigations, and with the new date orchard at Yuma it should soon 

 be able to forecast the possibilities of date culture in the Territory. 

 The range and forage plant studies will prove of great value to the 

 stock industry of Arizona, and the cattle-feeding experiments are of 

 immediate application to the whole southwestern region. The in- 

 creased appropriations by the Territorial legislature indicate a grow- 

 ing appreciation of the station's work. 



LINES OF WORK. 



The principal lines of work conducted at the Arizona Station dur- 

 ing the past year were as follows: Chemistry — study of irrigation 

 waters and their effects upon irrigated soils, chemistry of date ripen- 

 ing; botany; field experiments — cereals, forage crops, small fruits, 

 and garden vegetables; irrigation investigations; improvement of 

 ranges; horticulture — date-palm growing, vegetables, fruits, etc.; 

 plant breeding; dairying, and feeding experiments — beef and dairy 

 r.attle, sheep, and hogs. 



H. Doc. 'J24, 5!J-1 1 



