174 



EXPEL'JULXTAL FARMS 



2 GEORGE V., A. 1912 



INOCULATION EXPERIMENTS WITH NITRAGIN EOR LEGUMES. 



As reported last year, trials were begun on the Central Farm in the spring of 

 1909, with Hiltner's Nitragin, as prepared by the Dr. Reiche Nitragin Company, of 

 Milwaukee, Wis., U.S.A. Cultures for Red Clover, Alfalfa and Peas were used, and 

 the methods of soil and seed inoculation employed. 



The 1909 results, viewed generally, showed no marked advantage from the use of 

 the cultures. The soil used in these experiments was extremely poor and sandy, and 

 had not carried a leguminous crop for at least nine years, yet we found the roots of 

 the plants in the uninoculated soil well supplied with nodules — a fact that serves to 

 confirm our deductions, previously made, that the nitrogen-assimilating bacteria 

 are widely disseminated in the soils of cultivated districts. It further may furnish 

 the reason for the apparent inefficiency of the cultures. 



The plots in clover and alfalfa were those of the previous year, and consequently 

 have afforded data for the second year's growth of these crops. Each series comprised 

 three plots: 'uninoculated,' 'seed inoculated,' and ' scil inoculated.' 



Red Clover. — There was a good 'stand' on all three plots at the opening of the 

 season. Later, for some reason that was not apparent, the crop of the ' soil-i: cculated ' 

 plot wa3 not so vigorous as on the other two. 



Clover, 2nd Year Crop. 



At the time of the first cutting (June 15), all three plots might be said to be in full 

 bloom, and all equally advanced. The yields on the ' uninoculated ' and ' seed inocu- 

 lated ' plots, weighed both green and as hay, were very close, and considerably higher 

 than that on the soil-inoculated area. 



On July 18, the cutting on the ' seed-inoculated ' plot was the heaviest, the yield 

 from the ' soil-inoculated ' still remaining the lightest. At the third cutting, August 29 

 the position of the two former plots as regards yields was reversed, the ' uninoculated ' 

 <?iop being, weighed green, three pounds heavier. 



Considering totals, we have results in accord with those of the first cutting, viz., 

 no differences of importance (or, at least, from which it would be safe to make 

 deductions) between the yields of the ' uninoculated ' and ' seed-inoculated ' areas, with 

 a decidedly lower yield from the ' soil-inoculated ' plot. 



Alfalfa. — The crop made a very good start on all three plots, and was exceedingly 

 healthy and vigorous throughout the season. Notes made at the times of cutting state 

 that while excellent crops were cut on every plot, that on the 'uninoculated' was, 

 throughout the season, from appearances, the heaviest. 



