BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY. 337 



especially for hardiness. The superiority of these hybrids over 

 the yellow-flowered parents is due to their increased growth and 

 uprightness. 



Considerable quantities of the seed of the Grimm alfalfa have 

 been placed on the market and keen general interest has been aroused 

 in this variety. The demand for seed is so great that unscrupulous 

 dealers have resorted to fraud in connection with its sale. Prospec- 

 tive purchasers are cautioned to investigate carefully the source of 

 the Grimm alfalfa that is now on the market. 



Extensive tests are being continued with Peruvian and Arabian 

 alfalfas in the Southwest. As a result of these tests considerable 

 quantities of seed, especially of the Peruvian variety, have been pro- 

 duced in California and Arizona. This seed has met with ready sale, 

 indicating the interest that is being taken in the varieties. 



Alfalfa in many parts of the East is still in the experimental stage, 

 although more is being learned regarding its culture each year. The 

 interest in the growing of alfalfa has increased during the past sea- 

 son owing to the dry weather which has been quite generally preva- 

 lent. Regardless of the drought, the alfalfa crop has in many places 

 flourished and proved to be exceedingly profitable. The turning yel- 

 low of many fields in the East this season has caused farmers much 

 worry. While this condition is a serious one, it usually affects only 

 the second crop and in many cases only the second crop of a 2-year- 

 old field. Unless the conditions are very severe, this yellowing does 

 not permanently injure the stand. The trouble appears to be caused 

 by dry and hot weather, and the only remedy so far determined is to 

 cut the field and remove the growth, even if it is not sufficiently heavy 

 for hay. The crop following is usually normal. This subject is 

 being very carefully investigated. 



Clover investigations. — The work with clovers, which is being 

 conducted under the immediate charge of Mr. J. M. Westgate, con- 

 sists in the testing of the relative merits of the different varieties, 

 especially on soils no longer able to produce ordinary red clover suc- 

 cessfully. The factors underlying clover-seed production are also 

 being studied to determine the reason for the uncertainty of the 

 clover-seed crop in so many sections. 



Sweet clover is attracting wide attention and when properly util- 

 ized has been found valuable for forage and for soil improvement 

 not only in the East but also in the semiarid parts of the West. The 

 value of this plant as a cultivated crop is being tested under a great 

 variety of conditions throughout the country. 



Grass investigations. — The work of grass investigations is under 

 the immediate direction of Mr. E. A. Oakley. Investigation of pas- 

 tures is the phase of the work receiving most attention at the present 

 time. Experiments at Blacksburg, Va., in cooperation with the Vir- 

 ginia experiment station are being continued in accordance with the 

 original outline. The plats are now beginning to show the results of 

 the various treatments, especially those where the rate of grazing is 

 being tested. These experiments have shown definitely that con- 

 tinued light grazing is a detriment to the pasture grasses, and under 

 such conditions noxious weeds are very likely to encroach rapidly. 

 It has been found that in many cases grazing which is too light is as 



23165°— AfiR 1911 22 



