REPORT OF MR. G. H. BUTTON 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



Alfalfa — Inoculated and Non-Inoculated. 



353 



An experiment is now under way comparing the merits of inoculation by means 

 of soil from an alfalfa field and by means of culture supplied by the Bacteriological 

 Laboratory, Department of Agriculture, Edmonton, Alta. 



EXPEEIMENTS WITH EED CLOVER. 



Three acres were sown to Ked Clover without a nurse crop in June of 1907 on 

 fall-ploughed oat stubble, land a black clay loam. 



The seed was used at the rate of about 8 or 10 pounds per acre and, though it 

 did not germinate in large proportion, gave a fair stand. Like the alfalfa, it was also 

 clipped during the season and came through the winter in good condition. While 

 none of the land was inoculated, the field produced evidence, during the summer of 1908 

 that bacteria were present in places. The colour of the clover growing on these spots 

 was a dark healthy green, while perhaps only three or four feet away plants would 

 not be more than one-third as high and of a pale yellowish green ; nodules could also 

 be found present on the roots of the vigorous plants, while none were to be found 

 elsewhere. 



Both with Red Clover and alfalfa, the results thus far secured point to the advis- 

 ability of inoculating and indicate that while inoculation would probably come about 

 naturally in time, larger profits can be secured by hastening the introduction of the 

 necessary bacteria by special means. One cutting only of Red Clover was made during 

 1908, that on Jiriy 31, and when the crop was cured it made exactly one ton of hay 

 per acre. 



EXPERIMENT IN WEED-CONTROL BY MEANS OE CHEMICAL SPRAYS. 



Having some difficulty in controlling Ball Mustard (Neslia Paniculata L.), and 

 having read of the success of Prof. Bolley, of North Dakota Experimental Station in 

 controlling this weed, an experiment was conducted with iron and copper sulphates 

 applied as a spray. In Bulletin No. 80 of the North Dakota Station, Prof. Bolley 

 advises the following strength of solution : ' For destroying mustard 75 to 100 pounds 

 of iron sulphate per acre is necessary to be dissolved in 50 gallons of water, when it will 

 be ready for use. Twelve to 14 pounds of copper sulphate dissolved in 50 gallons of 

 water are needed per acre in field spraying.' This strength of solutions was applied 

 by means of a hand sprayer, but while the weeds were effectually destroyed the cereals 

 were also injured. Prof. Bolley asserts that it is possible to achieve the former result 

 and yet escape the latter. If iron sulphate can be effectively used it can be laid down 

 in quantities at a sufficiently low rate, that it would become a practical and practised 

 method of weed control in the weed-infested districts. 



16—23 



