EXPERIMENT STATION REPORTS. 295 



believe that the increased plantiugs of alfalfa will benefit the state by 

 at least $2,000,000 due to the added land valuation. There is a great 

 increase in hay yield equal to at least one ton of extra hay per acre 

 above clover and clover and timothy worth from |10 to $15 per ton, or 

 an additional two million dollar or more. 



The chief direct benefits from alfalfa are additional profit from the 

 crop and more economical feeding of livestock. It is reasonable to 

 believe that an increase of over two hundred thousand acres, placing 

 the alfalfa acreage of Michigan over five hundred thousand acres, will 

 result within a year in added returns of from four to eight million 

 dollars, with increasing future returns due to more livestock carried 

 per farm, increased milk production and increased yields of the crops 

 following alfalfa. The establishment of a successful stand of alfalfa 

 pays not onl}' immediate profits, but substantial dividends distributed 

 over many years. 



Proper methods of establishing successful stands of clover, red clover, 

 alsike, mammoth and the value of other legumes, such as vetch and 

 soybeans, were emphasized in regions where these crops are needed and 

 ^.dapted. Legume campaigns will be conducted during the coming year 

 in the potato, bean, sugar beet, canning crop producing counties and 

 livestock counties. All members of the Farm Crops Department, in 

 addition to the regular Extension men, are aiding in the alfaKa work. 



The immediate success of alfalfa and better clover campaigns was 

 made possible, largely due to the excellent seed supplied in quantity 

 from dependable sources by the Farm Bureau Seed Department. Over 

 two hundred and eighty thousand pounds of Grimm alfalfa seed and 

 approximately three hundred thousand pounds of northern grown com- 

 mon was distributed in Michigan in 1922 by the Fann Bureau. Home 

 grown alfalfa seed played an important part in increasing the acreage 

 in many counties under favorable seed producing conditions of last 

 year. Over 200,000^ pounds of Michigan grown alfalfa seed (Crop of 

 1921) was used in Michigan, the first time that home grown seed was 

 of importance. The crop harvested in Monroe County alone in the fall 

 of 1922 is estimated at 540,000 pounds, 200,000 pounds >being handled 

 by the Farm Bureau Seed Department. The production and use of 

 Michigan grown alfalfa seed is being encouraged, particularly the Hardi- 

 gan developed at M. A. C. and the LeBeau, a variety of 35 year history 

 in Monroe County. 

 Crop Improvement by H. C. Rather. 



The work of crop improvement in Michigan is carried on in close 

 co-operation with the Michigan Crop Improvement Association, the Seed 

 Department of the Michigan State Farm Bureau and County Agri- 

 cultural Agents and their supporting organizations. During the past 

 year there have been held demonstrations in seed production, selection 

 and improvement with 392 farmers. Along with these demonstrations 

 there has been given information concerning cultural practices, treat- 

 ment for disease, and various other matters relating to crop produc- 

 tion which make for greater efficiency and economy in this phase of agri- 

 culture. 



Two hundred and thirteen of these co-operators successfully met 



