434 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



tons of the carbonate of lime. I think that the caustic lime would 

 probably be much more effective on soils Ihat are not naturally of 

 good physical character than the mild or carbonate lime — in other 

 respects,! (juite agree with the recommendations of Mr. Wing. 



Inoculation of Soil. 



Another point which is of very great importance, and which prob- 

 ahly was, in early experiments, the cause of many failures to secure 

 a stand, is the question of soil inoculation. This is absolutely essen- 

 tial, more particularly on light soils, and upon those that have not 

 been heavily manured, or are not in good condition. Many experi 

 ments show that it is not wise to take any chances on this point, par 

 ticularly with first seedings, even though all other factors essential 

 in the securing of the crop are observed. We have had so many ex- 

 amples of this that I wish to emphasize it. In one experiment carried 

 out a few years ago on land that possessed all the essential character- 

 ii<tics of a good alfalfa soil, being naturally rich, in good tilth, and 

 capable of growing large crops of potatoes, corn and hay, failed absol- 

 utely until soil from an old alfalfa field was used for inoculation, after 

 which. good, permanent stands and enormous crops were secured. 

 The crop is now a standard one on that farm, and the practice such 

 as to make farming operations much more profitable; all accomplished 

 by a little soil, loaded with alfalfa bacteria. 



While the pure cultures of the alfalfa bacteria may be obtained 

 from the Government and private concerns, our experience shows 

 that one of the safest and easiest methods of inoculating the soil is to 

 use the soil from an old alfalfa patch, which already possesses the 

 characteristic nodules. The amount of soil required is not definitely 

 known, but our recommendations of 200 lbs., either mixed with the 

 seed and then sown, or sown broadcast, preferably in the evening, and 

 immediately harrowed in, so that the bacteria may not be destroyed 

 by the hot sun, is sufficient to supply the needed organisms, which will 

 multiply rai>idly under favorable conditions, after a field is once in- 

 oculated. The inoculation of the remainder of the farm may be ac- 

 complished by simply distributing the manure made over the different 

 parts of the farm. 



Another method of introducing the germs is to mix with the regulax 

 grass seedings one to two pounds of alfalfa seed, which will also assist 

 in introducing the proper bacteria. This method has been practiced 

 with success, and is much cheaper and quite as safe as the use of 

 soil. 



Seed and Seeding. 



Another point of great importance is to secure good, clean seed, fre^ 

 from weeds, as one of the worst enemies of the alfalfa ])lant in its 

 early growth, is weeds. The amount of seed may range from 20 to 30 

 lbs. per acre, and it is our experience that 30 lbs. will be better than 

 any other quantity, since it is the natural tendency of the plnats to 

 disappear— the thicker the seeding at first, the longer the period dur- 

 ing which profitable crops may be grown. 



As sorni ;is the stools begin to die out, then opportunity for grass 

 and weeds comes in, and unless heavily seeded at first, the crop will 

 not last more than three or four years. Too little seed has been the. 

 cause of many failures. 



