268 EEPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 



breeding problems connected with this work were also further in- 

 vestigated. 



The work carried on in connection with the alkali investigations 

 had for its purpose the study of the movement of alkali salts in terms 

 of ionic changes, and an investigation of the eilects of alkali upon 

 seeds, with special reference to the laws governing the absorption of 

 alkali by seeds. The investigation of woody aster, one of the poison- 

 ous plants affecting sheep, consisted in a study of the locations in the 

 State where this plant is most common and in securing data as to 

 the nature and extent of the losses. These field observations were 

 preliminary to a study of the symptoms, physiological action, patho- 

 logical lesions, and the toxic principles. 



Under the Hatch fund the agronomist tested a number of selected 

 and inti'oduced varieties of plants with reference to their adaptability 

 to the high-altitude conditions of the Laramie Valley. Alfalfa seed 

 from different parts of the world was tested with a view of obtaining 

 some improved individual plants adapted to the local conditions. 

 Barley, oats, and wheat were grown from new and imported seeds, 

 and selections in some cases were made from individual plants. 

 Kherson and 60-day oats were found to be early maturing varieties 

 and promising for high-altitude conditions. Among the varieties of 

 winter wheat tested were Kharkov, Turkey Eed, and Defiance. 

 Among different varieties of spring wheat, some of them of Austra- 

 lian origin, a variety known as John Brown gave the most promising 

 results. This variety jdelded over 40 bushels to the acre and showed 

 a much higher percentage of gluten and gave a much higher volume 

 of loaf than Turkey Red. 



Attention was also given to the culture of field peas as a forage 

 crop in the Laramie Valley, and a bulletin, including results with 

 garden peas, was published on these tests during the year. Other 

 experiments by the agronomist included potato growing from selected 

 seed; culture tests with root crops, with special reference to the value 

 of fall and spring plowing, and the water requirements of the crops; 

 fertilizer tests with barley ; trials with sweet clover, brome grass, tall 

 meadow-oat gi^ass, meadow fescue, Italian rye gi'ass, perennial rye 

 grass, and orchard grass; culture experiments with alfalfa; and 

 trials of crops under dry- farming methods. 



The animal husbandman conducted feeding tests with lambs and 

 cattle for the purpose of comparing the value of AVyoming grains 

 with corn and of native hay and alfalfa in lamb production. Some 

 breeding work was done with Polled Herefords and with sheep. 



The work of the irrigation engineer included irrigation experi- 

 ments on root and grain crops to determine the quantities of water 

 necessary to secure maximum yields. In cooperation with the de- 

 partment of chemistry, measurements of the water-table fluctuations 



