168 



THIRD ANNUAL SESSIONS 



not to any discussion of the relative merits of different varieties for 

 different localities. I do not wish to be understood, either, as stating that 

 any definite stereotyped rule can he laid down in regard to the interchange 

 or introduct on of seed wheat between different localities, for there will 

 always be instances where it will be desirable to bring seed from out- 

 side districts to replace home-grown seed of the same variety that has 

 become foul with weeds and mixed with other varieties through care- 

 less methods of farming. Such instances, however, should be the 

 exception. 



Seed Importation. 



"There are many agricultural districts where varieties inferior, both 

 in yield and quality, are now being grown. In such instances it would 

 most certainly be profitable to introduce seed of a more desirable type; 

 but this once done, seed for future crops should be taken from the home- 

 grown product. In other words, in order to permanently improve the 

 quality of wheat it will be necessary to carry on the im.provement work 

 within the locality where it is expected that the improved strain is to be 

 grown. It would be im-possible to breed up a variety of Turkey wheat, 

 for instance, in Kansas that would be best suited for growing in Cali- 

 fornia. It would be much better, and in fact necessary, if the quality be 

 improved, to first take the variety, Turkey wheat, to California, if not 

 already grown there, and carry on the improvement work in California. 



Improving Seed. 



"I would advise those farmers who expect to improve their varieties 

 of wheat, first, to secure the best possible variety for their respective 

 localities, both as to yield and quality; and second, to maintain the high 

 standard of the chosen variety by carrying on the necessary improve- 

 ment work upon their own farms. If these two rules are observed, there 

 will be little doubt that the quality of our grains will be much improved 

 and that more of our farmers will be securing the top market prices for 

 their wheat in place of second grade prices as is too frequently the case 

 today." 



EFFECT OF CLIMATE ON CROPS. 



Address by W. S. Palmer, Section Director, U. S. Weather Bureau, 

 at Cheyenne: 



"Mr. Chairman and Members of The Dry Farming Congress. I don't 

 need to say to the visitors to the city in speaking of the climate of 

 Wyoming that we sometimes have a little snow at Cheyenne. 



Dry Farming Area. 



"That portion of our country which is commonly spoken of as the 

 semi-arid region, and where so-called dry farming is practiced, embraces 

 a large territory which is included between the 95th and the 125th degrees 

 of longitude west of Greenwich. Within that belt of 30 degrees of 

 longitude can be found a vast variety of climates ;its topography is such 



