242 TWENTY-SDVENTH ANNUAL REPORT 



tory scheme of agricultural instruction in and for the State. Such a 

 scheme, however, is now under development in the high schools of the 

 State under the provisions of the Vocational Pursuits Law, in the two 

 normal schools, and in the State University. Properly systematized and 

 correlated, these agencies will assist in bringing into common under- 

 standing the body of scientific anl economic information thus far 

 achieved. 



GENERAL PROGRESS FOR THE YEAR 



Considerable time on the part of the Agricultural Staff has been 

 devoted to readjustments relating to the occupation of the new Agri- 

 culture building and to changes required in connection with the general 

 University administration. Furnishings for the laboratories and offices 

 have been devised and installed, equipment purchased, and at the same 

 time the usual amount of routine work and correspondence has been 

 carried on by the Staff. 



THE SALT RIVER VALLEY FARM 



An item of considerable magnitude and importance has been the 

 reclamation of the new Station Farm between Mesa and Tempe, Ari- 

 zona. At the time of its acquisition this property was in a condition of 

 considerable disrepair and a large portion of it was densely seeded to 

 Johnson grass, making a preliminary campaign of reclamation neces- 

 sary before a scheme of experimental and demonstration work could 

 be installed. Worthless trees and old orchards were grubbed up, use- 

 less ditches were plowed in, new fences were built, the two old residence 

 buildings were repaired for temporary use, and a general plan of 

 improvements for the place was drawn up and accurately surveyed. 

 The City of Mesa was permitted in the course of the year to lay an 

 outlet sewer across the southern edge of the place, four inlets being 

 provided, with which it is the privilege of the farm to make connection 

 at a future time if desired. At present, therefore, this property, which 

 lies one mile from the city limits of Mesa, has telephone, gas, electric 

 light and power, and sewerage facilities, and in addition is readily ac- 

 cessible from the State Highway by stage lines connecting with all 

 parts of Salt River Valley. The plan of improvements also calls for 

 a siding and a small station of the Arizona Eastern Railroad, affording 

 additional means by which the public can reach the farm. 



Four methods of reclaiming the land from Johnson grass are be- 

 ing tried : ( 1 ) Continuous dry fallow, both summer and winter, until 

 the Johnson grass is under control: (2) dry fallow in summer with 



