9 



ter the prairie dogs and rabbits destroyed pretty nearly all the roots 

 left by the drought. In the early spring of this year (1899) a few of the 

 steins were noticed after the ground had been plowed, and they were 

 carefully protected. Without other water than the natural rainfall the 

 plants developed remarkably. By June 1 they had grown to be from 

 18 to 21 inches tall, at which time the crop was cut. On July 2 it was 

 cut again, many of the stems measuriug from 24 to 28 inches. July 22 

 a third crop was ready fur cutting, some of the stems measuring from 

 18 to 20 inches in length. It is true the rainfall here from April 1 to 

 July 1 had been above normal, but I am strongly inclined to believe 

 that alfalfa will thrive in this section without irrigation. April 25, 

 1899, one pint of seed was procured and sown in a rather low but not 

 at all wet plot of ground, attbrding an excellent stand. The growth 

 continued to be vigorous up to about July 20, by which time the severe 

 drought had set in. The foliage was dried and parched by August 1, 

 and even the roots appeared to be dying. October 26 the drought was 

 broken by a good rain, and by the 30th green leaves began to start 

 from the roots. By the last of November the new foliage was from 8 

 to 10 inches in height. There were several white frosts and one or two 

 freezes in November, but December 1 this plot was as green as in 

 spring time, and the new growth was from 12 to 18 inches tall, and is 

 even yet (December 30) green and vigorous looking. 



TURKESTAN ALFALFA. 

 {Medicago satiia iiirlestaiiua. ) 



The seed of the Turkestan alfalfa was sown in April on rather thin 

 dry land and only a partial stand was secured. It grew well until the 

 drought set in, but soon began to show indications of injury. By August 

 1 the plants began to drop their leaves, and by September 1 the roots 

 also appeared to be dead or dying. After the rains (October 26) the 

 roots were slow to revive, but by November 15 they had put out a new 

 growth. By December 1 this growth was from 11 to 12 inches tall, but 

 less strong than the common alfalfa. At this date the plants are green 

 and vigorous. 



OASIS ALFALFA. 



A small package of oasis alfalfa from Tunis was received through the 

 Division of Agrostology. Three plantings were made, one in February, 

 1899, which, on account of the severe frosts that followed a day or two 

 later, failed to germinate. In April one half of the balance of the seed 

 was sown in a low but not damp plot, and what was left was planted 

 on higher land. Excellent stands were secured from each of these 

 last two plantings. The growth was vigorous from the start, but by 

 July 30 the plants were looking wilted and by August 1 the foliage 

 had withered badly and the roots were apparently dead. I reported 

 about that time that I feared the roots were all dead. The rain that 

 fell October 26 quickly revived them; by November 5 fresh leaves 



