Alfalfa. 481 



Oklahoma Experiment Station estimates that not over one in five of 

 the seedings in that state are successful. 



On the hill lands of much of southern New York there are relatively 

 fewer successes, but on well drained areas the crop is well worth a trial. 

 In all parts of the State there are gravelly deposits along the stream 

 courses that are well adapted to Alfalfa, Such soils should be sufficiently 

 elevated to be comparatively free from floods. Many of the sandy soils 

 of Long Island and Saratoga County can be profitably used for its 

 growth. 



Alfalfa will grow on nearly any well drained deep soil if given proper 

 treatment, and grows successfully on many shallow soils. 



Lime. Alfalfa is more likely to need lime than is any other com- 

 mon farm crop. It is more influenced by lime than is clover. Sixty- 

 one per cent of the co-operative experiments showed the need of lime. 



About fifteen hundred pounds per acre is a fair application. The lime 

 is best applied as long before the seed is sown as possible. 



Inoculation. Inoculation is absolutely necessary for success. Inocu- 

 lation may take place naturally or may have to be applied. Soil from 

 sweet clover will inoculate Alfalfa. Most of the cases of natural inocula- 

 tion appear to be due to the previous growth of sweet clover on the soil. 

 Common clover soil does not inoculate Alfalfa. 



Even in fields that require inoculation for success, a few plants usually 

 become inoculated from some source. These usually look large and 

 dark green as contrasted with the small yellowish uninoculated ones. 

 If such a field is planted and reseeded it is often well inoculated. It is 

 therefore often desirable to make a new trial on ground where Alfalfa 

 has thus failed. 



Fifty-four per cent of the co-operative trials have shown the need of 

 inoculation. The most successful way to inoculate is by applying soil 

 from a good Alfalfa field or from a place where sweet clover is growing. 

 This is sown on the field at the rate of about four bushels per acre. It is 

 usually easiest to sow it by hand. The soil thus used should not be 

 allowed to become dry before being applied as the bacteria are killed 

 if they become dried. In applying the soil it is best to apply just before a 

 harrowing. The liquid cultures have rarely been successful in New York. 



So far as we know. Alfalfa and Foy beans are the only legumes that 

 require inoculation in New York. Alfalfa requires it on most soils, 

 and we have not yet seen any soy beans with ncdules that were not 

 inoculated. The writer has examined clover roots on soils where clover 

 fails and has always found nodules on the few plants that lived. 

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