158 



EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 



clover. One of these experiments, still in progress, may be described as follows: A 

 plot 16 feet by 4 feet was staked off, and the sides protected by boards sunk to a depth 

 of eight inches. The surface soil to this depth was then removed, and in its place a 

 strictly homogeneous but very poor sandy loam substituted — the nitrogen content of 

 which was -0437 per cent. This was dressed with superphosphate at the rate of 400 

 lbs. per acre and muriate of potash at the rate of 200 lbs. per acre. It was then (May, 

 1902) sown with red clover. During each succeeding season the growth has been cut 

 and the material allowed to decay on the soil. At the end of every second season the 

 soil has been thoroughly stirred to a depth of four inches and the plot sown with clover 

 the following spring. In order to trace the influence of this treatment we have deter- 

 mined, at intervals, the nitrogen-content of this soil, the sample for analysis being 

 taken to a depth of four inches. The following table presents our results to date : — 



Nitrogen Enrichment of Soil due to Growth of Clover. 



Before experiment. 

 After two years. . . 



It four II . . . 



II five II . . . 



II six M . . 



Increase in nitrogen due to six years' growth. 



Date of 

 Collection, 



13 502 

 14-504 

 15-5()6 

 30 5-07 

 23-508 



Nitrogen. 



Percentage 



in water-free 



soil. 



•0437 



•0580 

 •0608 

 •0689 

 •0744 



•0307 



Pounds per 

 acre to a 

 depth of 

 4 inches. 



533 

 7('8 

 742 

 841 

 908 



375 



Each succeeding season, it will be observed, has shown an. increase in nitrogen 

 content. After six years, despite losses by oxidation, &c., which must occur in such a 

 light sandy soil, this enrichment amounts to 375 lbs. per acre. 



In these results we have direct and satisfactory proof of the manurial value of 

 clover. Although this nitrogen is not present in an immediately available condition 

 it is associated with readily decomposable organic matter and would be set free for tke 

 ■use of succeeding crops. 



INOCULATION FOR THE GEOWTH OF ALFALFA. 



Certain striking results showing the value of inoculation for alfalfa on soils that 

 had not previously grown this legume were obtained on the Experimental Farm, 

 Lacombe, northern Alberta, during the past season. Mr. G. IT. Hutton, the superin- 

 tendent, furnishes the following particulars respecting the experiment : ' Two plots 

 of soil, side by side, alike as to quality and previous cultivation, were sown to alfalfa, 

 one of these plots being dressed with surface soil from a field that had grown alfalfa 

 on the Experimental Farm, Lethbridge, Alberta. The application was at the rate of 

 300 lbs. of soil per acre, the inoculating soil being broadcasted and harrowed in at the 

 time of seeding. Dates of sowing and cutting were the same and the crop from each 

 plot was cured under the same conditions and hauled at the same time. In fact in 

 every way, so far as possible, the treatment was identical. The inoculated plots yielded 

 at the rate of 7,200 lbs. per acre, while the uninoculated yielded at the rate of 2,560 

 lbs/ 



