115 



attempts to iiiociiltite triinsoii clover were made in the fall 

 of 1UU8 with pure cultures from crimson clover, both from 

 the Department and from a commercial firm. Parts of 

 both plots were occupied by small pale plants without 

 tubercles, and the spots that were inoculated may have 

 accidentally secured their inoculation, by wind or surface 

 water, from an adjacent check plot inoculated with soil. 

 Both culture plots were distinctly inferior to the plot in- 

 oculated with soil. 



Constant improvements are beinj^f made in the methods 

 of manufacturing and distributing- the pure cultures made 

 by the U. S. Dej)artment of Agriculture. The improvement 

 and the successes sometimes reported give reason to hope 

 that in due time this may become the best means of inocu- 

 lating !egui!2es. Its advantages are convenience; economy 

 of labor; avoidance of the danger that is inherent in the 

 use of foil, namely, spreading disease germs, root-knot 

 organisms, weed seeds, etc. The only objection to pure 

 cultures is theii- frequent failures, at this and at other Ex- 

 periment Station, to cause the formation of tubercles or 

 the obvious fixation of nitrogen. Our experience compels 

 us to advise that at ])resent pure cultures be not relied 

 upon as a means of inoculation. Inoculation with soil 

 has never, in our experience, failed; pure cultures have 

 often done so. Still less advisable generally is the pur- 

 chase, at additional cost, of seed said to be inoculated. 



CRIMSON Cr>0VER AS A FERTILIZER. 



When grown largely for fertiizer, crimson clover may be 

 disposed of as follows : 



(1). It may be cut for hay, plowing under the stubble 

 as a fertilizer. 



(2). The entire growth may be plowed under as fer- 

 tilizer. 



(3). During the last few weeks of growth crimson 

 clover may be grazed, probably without sacrificing a very 

 birge part of its fertilizing value. 



