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farms which are not irrigated in this western country. I have raised common 

 lucern for twenty years, but for drought resistance I think this is better. My expe- 

 rience is that seed should not be raised from the first year's growth as by cutting 

 before maturity it tends to send the roots down to find moisture. 



OASIS ALFALFA (Medicago sativa) . 



This is a variety of alfalfa the seed of which was obtained from the 

 director of agriculture aud commerce of Tunis. It promises to be of 

 considerable value in dry districts where irrigation can not be carried 

 on. In the grass garden of the Department at \Yashington, D. C, 

 this variet}' made a very fair growth last summer. It grew to be 

 about two feet high and was in full bloom about the middle of July, 

 but it produced very little seed. During the dry summer weather it 

 still remained green, while the other alfalfas, which represented seed 

 of 12 different varieties from different parts of the United States and 

 from other countries, were suffering from drought and their leaves 

 turning yellow. It can be distinguished from the other alfalfas by its 

 somewhat differently shaped leaves, which are larger and of a lighter 

 green color. 



Our special agent at Abilene, Tex., Mr. H. L. Bentley, reports hav- 

 ing had excellent success with this variety during an unprecedented 

 season of drought. He secured an excellent stand, and the growth 

 was vigorous from the start, but the dry months of July, August, and 

 September caused the foliage to wither, and even the roots appeared 

 dead. A rainfall on October 26, however, quickly revived them, and 

 by November 15 a new growth of from 8 to 12 inches in height 

 appeared, and by December 1 it had attained a growth of from 12 to 

 20 inches, looking as in the spring. With a normal rainfall he is satis- 

 fied that this variety of alfalfa will do well in his section without 

 irrigation. 



Twenty-four packages of the seed of oasis alfalfa were distributed 

 in the spring of 1899, but up to the present time only 6 reports have 

 been received. The following testimonies regarding it are not very 

 satisfactory, as they do not represent its power to endure cold weather. 



Mr. W. Atlee Burpee & Co., Doylestown, Bucks County, Pa.: 



A fine stand was secured and a growth of about 10 inches. Its leaves are more like 

 those of the common white Dutch clover, being much larger and of a light-green 

 color. 



Mr. W. W. Gamble, Chotian, Teton County, Mont. : 

 This variety seemed to do very well the first year, but I can not determine its 

 value until next year. The seed was sown broadcast and the land irrigated. 



Mr. E. E. T. Hazen, Holyoke, Phillips County, Colo. : 



A well-prei)ared sandy loam that had been in cultivation for 4 years was used. The 

 seed was sown 1)roadcast about April 22. It germinated quickly and attained a 

 height of a]M)ut 4 inches, ]mt an epidemic of Russian thistle struck us and sapped 

 the moisture from the soil, and this, together with dry weather from August to 

 October, killed the oasis alfalfa. 



