6 
Colorado Experiment Station 
tion have attributed the greatest influence in determining the 
character of a wheat crop to the climate. 
The two features of climate referred to mostly in this con¬ 
nection, are the temperature and moisture supply. The English 
writers referred to above express it in terms of rainfall and mean 
temperature. A German writer referring specifically to Colorado 
says : 
“We shall have to remind the reader that the climate of the Colorado 
section is characterized by an extraordinary degree of dryness of the 
atmosphere and great daily variations of temperature. The advantages 
of the Colorado climate consist in the clearness of the sky, intense sun¬ 
shine, and a light atmosphere favorable to evaporation.” 
TLp snme nuthor again savs : 
“ I have referred previously to the fact that the cultivation of wheat 
in this zone is only possible under irrigation, but which, under the other 
favorable climatic conditions, yields extraordinary results, as it can be 
anplied at exactlv the opportune time. The high yield and weight per 
kernel is explicable only by this.” 
An American writer expresses himself in almost identical 
words, to-wit: 
“Where irrigation is practiced in Colorado * * * ideal condi¬ 
tions for plant growth prevail, for there the sky is clear, the sunshine 
intense, the air dry. Therefore, if water can be supplied when the crops 
are in need of it, assimilation will go on at its best, and the production 
of organic substance will be all the more favored. The result will be a 
large crop of large-sized grain.” 
These statements represent very fairly the general views held 
in regard to the part played by the climate, more particularly, 
by water. If there be any doubt that this is the principal feature 
had in mind, the following sentences from the English authors 
remove it. 
“Thus, the plant, which luxuriates in a comparatively dry soil and 
climate passed its whole existence under exactly opposite conditions; and 
the result was only what was to be expected.” 
In another place they say: 
“It has, of course, long been known that an excess of wet is injurious 
to the wheat crop.” 
In passing we may add, that yellow-berry, a condition very 
frequently observed in Colorado wheat, has been held to be a 
result of our practice of irrigation, or is also an eflPect of water. 
The European writers also virtually maintain this; for instance, 
they attribute the character of the French, English, and Danish 
wheats to their moist climate, and the characteristics of these 
wheats are that the grains of the wheat are big, plump and mealy 
and are not small, hard, flinty and dark-colored. 
