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ATKINS, Irvin M. (b. 1904)

Oral Histories

OHB 0104

Agronomist, U.S. Department of Agriculture and professor and small grains research leader, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, College Station, Texas. Family background; employment with U. S. Department of Agriculture experiment stations, San Antonio and Denton, Texas; history of Denton station; development of varieties of small grains resistant to pests, disease, and adverse climate; discussion of wheat varieties; description of special equipment used at stations; experiences during Depression in Denton; refinements in equipment and methods at stations, 1950s; organization of stations; discussion of science of plant breeding; description of Texas A&M station’s activities; efforts to produce hybrid wheat; comments on future of American farmer.