208 REPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 



The study of the formation and movement of nitrates in irrisfated 

 and arid soils was extended during the year to rotation plats with 

 manure, thus including the varying crop and fertility factors. The 

 agronomist and the chemist of the station are working together on 

 this project and in cooperation with this department. A partial 

 report on this work has already appeared. 



The station also conducted numerous experiments with the Hatch 

 fund, and some of the more important work is here briefly mentioned. 

 The chemical department continued a study of the chemistry and 

 milling properties of difl'erent varieties of Utah-grown wheat, par- 

 ticularly as affected by the use of the combined harvester. Some of 

 .the results of this work, published in Bulletin 113, indicated that 

 wheat cut with the combined harvester was just as valuable for flour- 

 production and bread-making purposes as that cut with the ordinary 

 binder or header. The superiority of Turkey Ked wheat for bread- 

 making purposes was also clearly brought out. 



The department of animal husbandry tested barley, wheat, and 

 oats as grain rations for fattening sheep. It was found, among other 

 facts, that a ration of wheat with alfalfa gave very satisfactory 

 results. Feeding experiments with pigs as well as studies of the 

 cost of raising litters of pigs and of the maintenance of brood mares 

 wiere continued. The results secured in different lines of work of 

 this department were ready for publication. The poultryman con- 

 tinued experiments in the brooding, feeding, and housing of chicks 

 end in various related lines. 



The horticulturist started cooperative experiments in apple prun- 

 ing and thinning, together with Avork in developing methods of 

 management for securing the largest profits as well as permanency 

 in orcharding. Experiments in irrigating peach orchards were 

 undertaken in connection with other lines of irrigation work by the 

 statioru 



The agronomy department experimented with different-sized cut- 

 tings, depth of planting, and irrigation of potatoes with sprouted 

 and unsprouted tubers, and with rotations of potatoes with other 

 crops. Selection of potatoes and selection and crossing of alfalfa 

 were carried on, together with selection of sugar beets for seed yield 

 and quality. Tests were made of varieties and methods of culture 

 of beans, of varieties of oats and barley, and the culture of alfalfa. 



The dry-farming work of the station, which is quite extensive, is 

 maintained by State funds. The principal dry farm is located at 

 Nephi, and the work there was mainly Avith wheat, barley,. and oats, 

 although tests with other crops, including alfalfa, field peas, and 

 flax, were also in progress. Particular attention was given to testing 

 varieties and methods of culture, to conserving moisture, and to plant 



