11 
THE CRUCIAL TEST. 
I have stated uny belief that many other grasses and forage plants 
might be substituted for the prevailing ones on this arid tract which 
would be more productive. 
But this is a question which can only be settled by experiment. Such 
grasses and forage plants require to be subjected to careful and pro- 
longed trials in order to obtain proof of their relative values under dif- 
ferent conditions of soil, moisture, and location. 
Such experiments are difficult and expensive, and cannot well be made 
by private individuals; hence it is highly important that the Govern- 
ment should provide an experimental station in a central and character- 
istic location, where all the commonly cultivated grasses and forage 
plants, and also the most promising native ones, could be thoroughly 
tried under various conditions. This would be greatly in the interest 
of that large body of settlers who are now taking possession of the 
country, and who, without the aid of such information as could thus be 
obtained and communicated, will be exposed to many losses and dis- 
appointments in prosecuting agriculture under the peculiar circum- 
stances here existing. A properly conducted and well-continued series 
of experiments in this direction would result in important discoveries of 
great value to the future residents in this arid district. 
LOCATION OF A GRASS-EXPERIMENT STATION. 
I have spoken above of the Government reservation of Fort Wallace, 
and I am induced to recommend the utilization of this property for the 
purpose of an experimental station. 
I recommend this because it is central, easy of access, and typical of 
this large district of arid country. I recommend it also because here is 
land presenting a suitable variety of elevation, moisture, &c, with all 
the buildings which would be needed for the equipment of such a sta- 
tion. I recommend it because its scope of work would be peculiar to, 
and in the interest of a peculiar region of country, greatly needing the 
information which it would secure. 
A very moderate appropriation, expended under the Commissioner of 
Agriculture, could here be made productive of a great amount of good. 
The problem presented could not be solved in one or two years, but 
would require a well conducted and continued series of trials under 
varied conditions. 
The editor of the Wallace County Register, in a recent issue, makes 
the following very rational remarks : 
There can be 110 good reason assigned why the old Government post, now fast fall- 
ing into decay, hut still capable, with small expense, of being fitted up for comforta- 
ble residences and stabling, should not be utilized for tlie benefit of tbe whole country. 
There is no finer belt of land anywhere in the great West than we have within a 
