BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY. 431 



solve only by cooperative assistance and the encouragement that fol- 

 lows success. 



The notion that everybody knows all about how to grow corn is 

 rapidly giving way to the idea that our greatest wealth-producing 

 and most universally grown crop has never received sufficient study 

 and is capable of much greater returns when its requirements ave 

 understood. The lines of corn-improvement work that can be co- 

 operatively conducted to the certain l)enefit of the farmer involve 

 such slight comparative expense that funds can scarcely be expended 

 more effectively for the general prosperity of the country. 



FORAGE-CROP INVESTIGATIONS. 



The investigations of forage crops are under the direction of Prof. 

 C. V. Piper, but in his absence during part of the past fiscal year 

 the work was carried on under the supervision of Mr. R. A. Oakley. 

 The general plan of these investigations remains the same as here- 

 tofore, namely, intensive studies of the most important forage crops 

 and the testing of numerous new introductions in the search for 

 better forage crops for the South and semiarid regions. 



Alfalfa investigations. — The main lines of work with alfalfa in 

 the East for the past year have included a close study of cultural re- 

 quirements with special reference to fertilizers and treatment for 

 yellowing. The condition of yellowing usually affects the second 

 and third crops, and in many fields seems to prove permanently 

 injurious to the stand. Relief appears to be through the use of fer- 

 tilizers and cultivation. 



The work with alfalfa in the West has been confined largely to 

 the testing of hardy strains, investigations of alfalfa in rows for 

 seed and hay production, and the testing of the effect of cultivation 

 on broadcast stands. In the extreme Southwest the use of varieties 

 making a quick growth has been encouraged. The Peruvian variety 

 is the best example of this type. In the development of hardy 

 strains the best forms of the yellow-flowered species are being util- 

 ized, chiefly for the creation of new varieties by hybridization with 

 common alfalfa. The growing of alfalfa in cultivated rows for 

 both hay and seed has given such promise in the West that every 

 effort is being made to encourage this practice. 



In future work in the East it is j)roj)osed to give the most atten- 

 tion to the treatment of alfalfa fields to prevent yellowing. Tests 

 of fertilizers for alfalfa will be continued as heretofore. Unless 

 satisfactory treatment for yelk)wing has been developed before 1914, 

 work on that factor which now limits alfalfa production will be 

 continued. 



In the West the plats established during this season will yield 

 results in regard to the effect of cultivation on broadcast fields and 

 the growing of alfalfa in rows for seed and hay production. This 

 work will be continued on a larger scale. Small (juantities of the 

 improved hardy strains developed by hybridization will be avail- 

 able for increasing stock, and it is planned to give these lots esijecial 

 attention. It is proposed to institute a series of field experiments 

 in order to reduce the percentage of winter killing of common alfalfa 

 through cultural methods, the work now being conducted on small 

 plats. 



