IO UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO STUDIES 



If a change in climate or in soil tends to favor the development of muta- 

 tions, here is the opportunity to find out what species are likely to be 

 useful in breeding experiments. When it is remembered that in a 

 single small area such as Boulder County there are climates ranging 

 from that of Kentucky to northern Greenland the opportunities for 

 studies on the effects of climate become at once apparent. 



Physiological experimentation of all kinds is needed at high altitudes. 

 Little has been done in the study of vital phenomena under the peculiar 

 conditions of dryness and lightness of air which exist in Colorado. It 

 is a comparatively easy matter to carry on at different altitudes experi- 

 ments on transpiration, photo-synthesis and other phenomena. Work 

 of this kind would undoubtedly prove useful, especially if done with 

 native plants not hitherto used for experimentation. 



The study of the lower plants has been much neglected in Colorado. 

 Anyone by making collections of them would do valuable work if these 

 collections when made were placed where they could be available for study. 

 Specimens stored away in herbaria either within the state or outside are 

 of little value, but published accounts, even bare lists, of algae, fungi or 

 bryophytes would be useful and would stimulate other students to take 

 up work in the same line. More pretentious contributions, especially 

 such as could be put into the form of keys for the use of students, would 

 be of still greater value. Studies of distribution with relation to climatic 

 and other conditions would bring fruitful results. 



From what has been outlined in the foregoing paragraphs it will be 

 seen that nearly every branch of botanical study may be taken up in 

 Colorado with hope of interesting results. This comes about partly 

 because there has been very little botanical work done here, partly 

 because of the great natural advantages in the varied conditions of 

 soil and climate. Botanical workers in Colorado have been few. It 

 is hoped that there may be more in the future. There is room and to 

 spare for all who will come to take up problems for study. No one 

 need fear duplication of the work of others. The botanists now resident 

 in the state stand ready to help those who come to work and study. Let 

 all who will make use of the "botanical opportunity in Colorado"! 



