J^Tew York Agricultural Experiment Statiois". 35 



These observations showed that where neither lime nor inoculation 

 was practiced, the chance of a successful crop of alfalfa was not 

 more than one in five. The addition of lime raised the chance of 

 successful crops to two out of five, and with inoculation alone 

 success was attained in about three-fifths of the trials ; but where 

 both lime and inoculation were resorted to, success was attained 

 in four-fifths of the experiments. On the basis of such results, 

 alfalfa growing has developed rapidly in the State and is now an 

 important adjunct to dairy farming in many sections. 



Other troubles developed in alfalfa production. One of the 

 most serious of these was the adulteration of alfalfa seed chiefly 

 with the steeds of other legumes such as yellow trefoil, bur clover 

 and sweet clover, and with the seed of dodder. In order to cor- 

 rect the evil of adulteration, the Botanical Department of the 

 Station invited farmers to submit samples of alfalfa seed for exam- 

 ination. Bulletin Xo. 305 showed that out of 548 samples of 

 alfalfa seed examined, 126 contained dodder. This was an impor- 

 tant fact because dodder is a parasitic plant which preys upon 

 alfalfa, clover and other legumes and, if allowed to spread, be- 

 comes a source of great loss. 



The Botanical Department devised a means of ridding alfalfa 

 seed of the seeds of this pest by the use of a screen which would 

 allow the dodder seed to pass through, but held back the alfalfa. 

 This contrivance was widely advertised. Dodder has now largely 

 disappeared from commercial alfalfa seed in this State. 



The examination for the other adulterants mentioned, such as 

 trefoil, led purchasers of alfalfa seed to be cautious in buying, and 

 dealers in seed to be careful concerning what they offered in the 

 market. 



Various fungus diseases of the alfalfa plant have been given 

 consideration, but none of these appear to be especially destruc- 

 tive, the most important disease being what is known as leaf spot. 

 It is observed at the Station that in years when there is sufficient 

 moisture this fungus seldom develops to any extent. 



