EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETINS. 321 



ALFALFA. 



Alfalfa seed grown in Montana, northern Idalio, and North and South 

 Dakota, is best suited for growing in Michigan. Occasionally during 

 favorable seasons a small amount of Michigan grown seed is produced. 

 This seed is highly desirable if in good condition. Seed produced from 

 strains which are adapted to northwestern \\-interis will produce stands 

 which will come through Michigan winters suecessfully. The Grimm, 

 Baltic, and Cossack are the best varieties. These varieties are character- 

 ized by their hardihood and their tendency to produce bnanching crowns 

 close to or beneath the surface of the ground. There is a marked tendency 

 also for the root system to branch. In the case of the Cfrimm and Baltic, 

 flowers of variegated colors, whitish, blue, purple, and blends of these 

 colors develop. Cossack alfalfa develops variegated blossoms of yellowish, 

 white, blue, purple, and various blends. The above varieties do not winter 

 kill as badly as the straight rooted, high crowned, purple flowered com- 

 mon alfalfa. 



Common northern grown alfalfa, produced in the states above men- 

 tioned also gives good results in Michigan. They are not quite as hardy 

 and enduring as the Grimm, Baltic, or Cossack. It is highly important 

 that the source of seed be known in buying alfalfa. 



A full discussion of alfalfa growing is given in the Michigan Experi- 

 ment Station Special Bulletin No. 97, "Alfalfa in Michigan." 



BEAN VARIETIES. 



Tlie Roljust lean is a high yielding white pea beau which was developed 

 at the Michigan Expei-iment Station. It is resistaut to Mosaic, and is 

 not as badly affected by blight and anthracnose as are many other va- 

 rieties. It should be planted early in the bean planting season, since it is 

 somewhat later in maturing than the common pea beans. 



The Early Wonder is a very early strain of w^hite pea bean, adapted 

 to planting under climatic conditions which do not favor the proper 

 maturing of the Robust. 



For detailed infomiation regarding bean varieties and bean growing 

 secure Extension Bulletin No. G, and Experiment Station Special Bulletin 

 No. 108, Michigan Agi-icultural College. 



SOYBEANS. 



Professor C. E. Megee of the Fami Crops Department, Michigan Agri- 

 cultural College, has listed the following varieties of soybeans as being 

 of the most value : 



Manchu — A very high yielding variety for both grain and forage. In 

 variety tests conducted at this Experiment Station in 1919 and 1920, the 

 Manchu gave the highest yield of hay. Plants are erect and mature in 

 approximately 110 days, pubescence tawny, and flowers purple. Seed are 

 medium size and straw yellow w^ith slate black seed scar. 



Ito San — Almost as good a yielder as Manchu and the most widely 

 grown variety in Michigan. It is considered one of the best early varieties 

 in the corn belt. Plants are erect, maturing in 110 days, pubescence 

 tawny and flowers purple. Seed are straw yellow with a pale seed scar 

 (lighter than seed coat) Avith a small reddish brown spot (micix)pyle) near 

 one end of the scar. 



