Colorado Experiment Station 
lO 
PURPOSE OF THIS PART OF OUR STUDY 
In this part of our study we propose to present the composition 
of Colorado wheats in general, in so far as it seems to have any pur¬ 
pose, and then to present the results of our study of the effects of these 
fertilizers, of water, and in some measure, of the weather, upon the 
composition of wheat. We will leave the question of the milling and 
baking qualities for future consideration. 
The only person, who, to my knowledge, has treated in any way 
of the composition of Colorado wheats, is Mr. Clifford Richardson, who 
apparently analyzed samples of wheat grown at this station by Prof . 
Blount. Mr. Richardson’s conclusions are favorable to Colorado as,a 
producer of wheat of high quality. A few quotations from his report 
are interesting, even if subsequent developments make us wish that 
the properties of our wheats might measure up more fully to his esti¬ 
mates of them. He says: “Among the individual states, Colorado SUS7 
tains the reputation gained in last year’s report of producing the finest 
wheat.Minnesota, all things considered, probably ranks next to 
Colorado.”* “As has been seen, the Colorado wheats are certainly tho 
best which have be^n produced in this country. For two years they have 
sustained a high average composition and a large weight per 100 grains- 
Why do they excel in this manner? It is due somewhat to careful culti: 
vation and selection of seed, but more largely to soil and climate as is 
proved by the experiments of last year.” > ,. , 1 ^ 
Of thirteen varieties grown by the department and at' the Colo^ 
rado Experiment Station from the same lots of seed Mr. Richardsoti 
says: “lu every case the size and general appearance was much improved 
and, as a consequence, the weight of 100 grains of the crop was much 
lieavier than the seed; in fact, averaged over 26 percent heavier.’’ n 
“Of 44 wheats from Colorado, grown during two years, only one fell 
below 11.5 percent of alubumin and only six below 12 percent.” ' ' 
“Too much confidence, it is seen, cannot be placed on the size arid 
appearance of a wheat or conversely on the chemical analysis alone. 
When both these elements in its constitution are favorable, then alone can 
it be pronounced a good wheat.” I . 
“The effects upon the composition of grain which we have ^studied 
seems to be largely dependent upon the soil, seed and cultivation'bHng the 
Dr. H. W. Wiley, in discussing Mr. Richardson’s conclusioh, 
says: “Mr. Richardson was of the opinion, as a result of these studies’, 
that the soil was the most important factor in producing these vafietiei^. 
A'subsequent study of the department, which will be referred'to' latef oh 
' ' '■ >. A ■ 1 : ■ ’’s . 
lieport U. S. Dept., of Agri., 1883, p. 210. ' liiti 
I Report of IT. ^JlepartmenL of .Agrj.,^t883, ^p. 2lil. i., . .' 1 !,;^ 
