238 THREE ACRES AND LIBERTY 



and their progeny does not break up into groups, according 

 to the accepted theory. They show specimens resembling 

 each parent, with the third composed of seemingly, but not 

 really, blended specimens. 



These results are particularly vital in the development of 

 plants adapted by selection for semi-arid agriculture. The 

 Professor believes that the great areas of high plain country 

 to be found from Canada to Mexico can be made more pro- 

 ductive through planting crop varieties that have been bred 

 to withstand the existing conditions which produce meagre 

 returns from the vast expanse of territory under the present 

 methods. 



In place of corn, which is difficult to mature even at 

 moderate elevations, Professor Buffum has introduced un- 

 proved emmers and the various hybrids resulting from 

 crosses with other grains. 



Emmer itself is not a new grain, having been grown for cen- 

 turies in Russia and southern Europe, and it is believed to have 

 been the corn of Pliny, which he said was used by the Latins 

 for several centuries before they knew how to make bread. 



Several years ago emmer began receiving attention as a 

 stock food. The first planting of the grain at Worland re- 

 sulted in some exceptional "sports," seemingly of a different 

 type, with coarse straw and very large heads. With this as 

 a basis, the seed was replanted and subjected to many experi- 

 ments to increase its drouth and winter resisting qualities. 

 Continued selections have shown, a yield of from a third 

 more to twice as much as corn, that it is thirty per cent 

 more valuable than oats for feeding horses, and that for 

 stock fattening it is equal to corn, pound for pound. It 

 is the most drouth-resistant and prolific of small grains, 

 has been successfully raised from Montana to Mexico, and 



