49S 



EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



2 GEORGE V., A. 10.2 



Unfortunately, the weights of the first cutting of these varieties are not available 

 since the varieties were confused when hauling. The standing of the several varieties 

 judged from the second cutting only is as follows : Grimm alfalfa (from A. B. Lyman, 

 Excelsior, Minn.); Old Frankish Lucerne No. 25022; Medic ago falcata, No. 24452; 

 Montana alfalfa, No. 23454; Turkestan; Sand Lucerne, No. 23394; Canadian alfalfa, 

 No. 24836 and Grimm alfalfa, tie. 



COMPARING INOCULATED SOIL WITH CULTURE AS A MEANS OF 



INOCULATING FOR ALFALFA. 



In the spring of 1909, two methods of inoculation were used with the Russian 

 variety of alfalfa. A sample of Nitragin, manufactured by the Dr. Reiche Nitragin Co., 

 Milwaukee, Wis., U.S.A., was carefully used according to instiuctions, while side by 

 side was a block of alfalfa inoculated with soil taken from a field on which alfalfa had 

 been successfully grown. This is the only culture which we have tried that has giver* 

 any evidence of inoculating the land for alfalfa. 



Comparison of Nitro-Culture and Soil Inoculation. 



A block of alfalfa was sown in 1909, on which it was intended to run rotation ' G? 

 Five varieties were sown on this area from which two cuttings were taken in 1910. 

 Cuttings were made July 18 and September 21. Owing to the dry weather, growth 

 was slow to start after the first cutting. There was little growth after the second cut- 

 ting and it is possible that all growth after the first cutting might better have been 

 left. A narrow strip for comparison has been left and beside it another narrow strip 

 which has been given no protection for the winter. All the rest of the alfalfa 

 which was cut late has been top-dressed with barnyard manure applied with the manure 

 spreader. It is believed that alfalfa can be successfully grown in this part of the 

 province. In 1909 inoculated soil was sent to over 150 farmers living in all parts of 

 the province north of Calgary. This spring after the crop had time to show by tht 

 character of its growth whether the inoculation was effective, letters of inquiry in 

 regard to the appearance of the crop were sent to all those who had received soil. The 

 majority of these men replied and of all those replying only one reported his alfalfa 

 as being pale in colour and weak in growth as indicating the failure of the soil to 

 effect inoculation. Judging from these results, farmers are recommended to under- 

 take the growing of alfalfa, securing a hardy strain such as Turkestan and inoculat- 

 ing by means of soil from an old alfalfa field. Following are the yields in 1910 of the 

 five different varieties grown under field conditions. When the high nutritive value 

 of this crop is considered and the character of the past season remembered, the yields 

 will be considered satisfactory. 



