38 DRY LAND FARMING 



gations pertaining to the growing of crops in the arid 

 and semi-arid west. Because of this, experiments con- 

 ducted by individuals in several of the states where dry 

 conditions prevail were much in advance of those insti- 

 tuted by the department during recent years. This ex- 

 treme caution may have been based on the fear that home- 

 steaders might thus be encouraged to locate in areas 

 where they would find it very difficult to build and main- 

 tain homes. About the first work undertaken by the 

 department with a view to aid in the development of the 

 agriculture of this region was the search in other coun- 

 tries for plants that were markedly drought-resistant, 

 with a view to their introduction in this area. The Bu- 

 reaus of Plant Industry, Chemistry, Soils and Weather 

 have also rendered substantial service. It was not un- 

 til 1905 that a head was appointed to take charge of 

 dry land investigations. An office for this department 

 is now maintained under the Bureau of Plant Industry. 

 During recent years a large number of stations have 

 been established by the department in those areas for 

 conducting investigations pertaining to dry land prob- 

 lems. Some of these are conducted in co-operation with 

 the experiment stations. 



Definite experiments with a view to the study of 

 questions pertaining to the agriculture of dry areas in 

 the United States were inaugurated by the Colorado 

 Legislature. In 1893 it authorized the establishment of 

 an experiment station at Cheyenne Wells. This action, 

 however, was five years later than the establishment of 

 the Canadian station at Indian Head in 1888. 



Dry farming experiments by the Utah state station 

 were begun in 1901. This state is the pioneer in sys- 

 tematic experimental work conducted on an extensive 

 scale. Among the other states that have done excellent 

 work in the study of dry land questions in an experimen- 



