A Study of Colorado Wheat 
5 
represent nitrogenous compounds in a transition stage, at least to a 
large extent; still it is true that we find these more abundant in 
plants grown with the application of nitrates than in others. We 
further found that the effect of phosphorus, and also that of potas¬ 
sium, upon the total nitrogen in the stems, leaves, and heads was 
very small, until the period of ripening approached, when these 
elements seemed to effect an increase of the total nitrogen in the 
heads, but the proteid nitrogen in the heads of wheat plants dressed 
with phosphates or potassium salts was not greater than in those 
of plants that had received no fertilizer. 
The mineral constituents of the plant were also affected by the 
application of the nitrate, but not in a uniform manner, some con¬ 
stituents increased while others were depressed. Calcium, magne¬ 
sium and potassium (sodium is included) were increased, silicon v/as 
decidedly depressed, but the phosphorus in the plant did not seem 
to be affected.. This statement pertains only to the plant and is not 
to be applied to the grain, which will be discussed later. 
The effect of the application of water at different times was 
not studied, except by the results obtained on one plot which re¬ 
ceived a total application of two feet of water, one applied 12 June 
and the other 12 July, 1913. Four plots were irrigated on these 
dates, but plants from only one of these were analyzed. The effect 
of this increased water supply upon the amount of total and proteid 
nitrogen in the stems, leaves and heads of the plants was not mark¬ 
ed enough to justify, in any measure at all, a statement that any re¬ 
sults had been produced. The same statement applies to the yield 
of both total dry-matter and of grain, for in none of the four ex¬ 
periments was there an increase in either respect. The application 
of one acre-foot of water on 12 June, when the wheat was in boot, 
was sufficient for the production of a maximum crop. 
The soil moisture for the season, of 1913 is given in detail in 
Part I (Bulletin 208 of this Station). 
It will be recalled that in the plan of these experiments every 
fourth plot was a check. The above statements are all based upon 
a comparison of results obtained with plants from these check plots 
with those obtained with plants from the plots to which we applied 
fertilizers. 
It was impossible for us, during the season of 1914, to carry out 
the plan pursued in 1913, so we were not able to repeat the observa¬ 
tions of 1913 till the season of 1915. 
OBSERVATIONS ON SOIL MOISTURE, COMPOSITION OF THE PLANT, 
AND NITRIC NITROGEN IN 1915 
The weather conditions in 1913 were favorable for our experi¬ 
ments, but were scarcely more so than they usually are. We would 
say that it was a good year, perhaps a little moye favorable than an 
