REPORT OF THE VHEMiST 



175 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



Alfalfa, 2nd Year Crop. 



On June 15, when the plots were first cut, the plants were just corning into bloom 

 and the yield, from appearances, somewhat lighter on the ' seed inoculated ' than on 

 either of the other two plots. The weights bear out the impression from an inspection 

 of the series : those for the crops, both green and as hay, for the ' uninoculated ' and 

 ' soil inoculated ' were practically identical, with that from the ' seed-inoculated ' 

 decidedly lighter. 



The crop was an excellent one and in full bloom on all three plots at the time of 

 the second cutting. The yields were very close, with a slight margin in favour of the 

 'uninoculated' plot. 



When cut the third time, August 29, about three-fourths of the crop was in bloom 

 and an excellent growth on all three plots. Again, the results are slightly in favour 

 of the 'uninoculated' area. 



The totals show that the heaviest yield was obtained from the ' uninoculated ' plot 

 the lightest from the ' seed inoculated ' that from the " soil inoculated ' area occupying 

 a position midway between them. 



So far as the present experiment is concerned, there are no indications of material 

 advantage from inoculation. Trials with various cultures made by us here and else- 

 where in the Dominion during the past twenty years have all pointed towards inocula- 

 tion being generally unnecessary when the soil is under a rotation, in a good state of 

 cultivation and well drained. Many instances of benefit arising from inoculation are 

 known to the writer, but very few of them have occurred in the older and best-farmed 

 districts. The larger number of the m^st striking cases, where a response has followed 

 inoculation, have been in the Northwestern provinces, upon newly broken land, and 

 it seems quite probable that such soils are but poorly supplied with the particular 

 organisms capable of assisting the farm legumes. Cases of improvement following 

 inoculation have also been reported from the maritime provinces, generally from areas 

 covered with soils poor in humus and upon which no rational rotation has been fol- 

 I wed. Failure to obtain a catch of clover or other legume does not necessarily imply 

 the absence of nitrogen-assimilating bacteria; it is perhaps more often due to defi- 

 ciency of moisture, an unsuitable seed bed, an acid condition of the soil or to a lack 

 of proper drainage. Seed of a low germinative value has also been found answerable 

 for an imperfect catch. Before concluding that inoculation is necessary, it would 

 therefore be the part of wisdom to inquire whether the lack of success may not be due 

 to one or more of these unfavourable conditions, or to poor seed. 



Where inoculation is thought to be necessary or desirable, we believe that soil 

 from the surface of a field that is growing the legume (clover or alfalfa, as the case 

 may be), will be found more effective than 'cultures.' According to the reports we 

 have received, this method has almost invariably proved more success-foil than the 

 use of the purchased preparations. The soil should he broadcasted, as soon as may 



