Corn Growers' Association. 179 



that soil. Much of that Vandalia prairie soil is acid and we need 

 first to apply lime to correct the acidity before we can grow al- 

 falfa. The matter of drainage is another important point that 

 will have to be worked out there before alfalfa can be successfully 

 grown. 



Q. About how much lime should be applied per acre? 



A. About two thousand pounds of ground limestone per acre. 



Q. How can you thicken a stand of alfalfa? 



A. It may be thickened by cultivation, but it is rarely if 

 ever profitable to try to thicken alfalfa by sowing more seed. 

 !fou had better plow it up and sow again, and the second time 

 /ou sow it on that soil you will usually get a much better stand 

 than the first time, because the land seems to become better 

 adapted to the crop, more thoroughly inoculated. 



Q. Is it possible to inoculate ground by seeding alfalfa on 

 it, and placing manure on it which is from alfalfa- fed animals? 



A. Yes, in a way. In curing alfalfa there is more or less 

 of the bacteria from the soil get on it; and when exposed to the 

 light so much so many of the bacteria are killed that I should 

 say that there is very little inoculation in that manure. 



Q. How can you tell when the bacteria are there? 



A. They produce small nodules on the lateral roots that go 

 through the soil nearest the surface. They are never found on 

 the tap roots. 



Q. In inoculating this soil, you speak of sowing it on the 

 soil and harrowing it in ; would it not be better to sow with a drill ? 



A. That would do just as well. If you will dry it out thor- 

 oughly, you will get it fine enough to run through the drill. Dry- 

 ing will not kill the bacteria, but the light will, and if you scatter 

 it on your soil broadcast and let it lie for more than one-half hour, 

 if the sun is shining it will kill bacteria. 



Q. Is there any difficultly in growing alfalfa on tile-drained 

 land? 



A. No, I think not. 



Q. What plan would you suggest to kill crab-grass in al- 

 falfa? 



A. We have found that the best way is to go in with a disk 

 or a common spring-tooth harrow, and cultivate after each cutting. 

 That gets rid of the crab-grass, and at the same time it loosens 

 up the soil and conserves the moisture and brings the next crop 

 of alfalfa on in better condition. 



