TI2 
Colorado Experiment Station 
variability he says: “The study of the wheat plant in regard to its cor¬ 
relative variability has lead to the conclusion that this can be called into 
activity, not only by transference to another climate, but also by other 
extraneous conditions, though climate exercises the greatest influence upon 
its persistency (Dauer). A change in the character of the soil, be it by 
change of locality, by manuring, or by cultivation, has a similar action 
in that the conditions of nutrition are changed and with these the organic 
efficiency” (of the plant). 
Though Schindler in this way recognized the influence of the 
soil, still, he scarcely mentions it in the first half of his work, but attri¬ 
butes the greatest influence in determining the character of wheat 
to the climate. This is, in fact, his thesis. 
A paragraph of his relative to Colorado is of sufficient interest 
to justify its reproduction. After quoting some analyses of Colo¬ 
rado wheats he continues: “1 have referred previously to the fact 
that the cultivation of wheat in this zone (the western plateau and moun¬ 
tain region of the United States) is only possible under irrigation, but 
which, under the other favorable climatic conditions, yields extraordinary 
results^ as it can be applied at exactly the opportune time. The high 
yield and weight per kernel is explicable only by this. The relatively 
high protein content is noteworthy, and is probably dependent upon the 
characteristics of the soil, which is reputed to be very fertile. The Blount 
samples excel in this point and suggest that their richness in protein has 
been forced up by a corresponding application of manure, which is, as 
is known, easily done. Blount rightly praises the action of sheep manure 
upon his crops. This was, without doubt, the lever to which' he owed his 
striking results and not his crosses whose influences are difficult to 
control.”! 
If the soil has so little to do with the composition and quality of 
the crops, our wheat ought to be both uniform and good, for our 
climate is favorable and we have the water supply largely in our con¬ 
trol. I think that this statement is true, though the State is large, 
varies in altitude from 3,000 to 7,500 or even 7,700 feet in the districts 
where wheat is successfully cultivated, and also in climate. I know of 
no section, however, of high rainfall. The average annual rainfall at 
Fort Collins is 14.9 inches and at (jrand Junction it is about one-half 
as much. 
I have already stated in Part I of this study that, according to the 
best information that I can obtain, flour made from Colorado^ wheat 
* Schindler, Der Weizen in seiner Beziehung- zuin Klima iind das Gesetr der 
Correlation, 1883, p. 138. Translation by the author. 
t Schindler. Tier VCeizen, p. 72. Translation by the author. 
