General Notes. 667 



^.sserted that sorglium is only injurious in the young state^ and these 

 researches now furnish the proof. The method of avoiding loss is 

 obvious, feeding the plant to cattle only after the Howering stage is 

 passed. 



Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria. 



Since the publication in the March issue of the Journal of the 

 paper on this subject by Geoi-ge T. Moore, of the U.S. Department of 

 Agriculture, cultures of these organisms have been received together 

 with additional information, and experiments are being conducted to 

 test their utility in this State. 



In some quarters misapprehension has arisen as to the method of 

 employing these organisms, farmers even having written for a special 

 brand adapted for use with oat crops. It must be clearly understood 

 that the organisms are not beneficial to all farm crops, but only in 

 connection with leguminous plants such as peas, beans, lucerne, 

 clover, vetch, &c. The organisms cause the formation of nodules on 

 the roots of these plants, and appropriate the nitrogen of the 

 atmosphei-e for the use of the plants. Even with legumes these 

 bacteria are of no decided benefit except when the proper nodule- 

 forming organisms are lacking in the soil, but a crop of legumes with 

 the nodule-forming bacteria improves the soil for succeeding crops. 



Cultures have been received for lucerne, cowpea, soy bean, and 

 vetch, and experiments are being conducted with these by the 

 Pathologists' branch, but no material is this season available for 

 distribution to farmers. The method of employing the cultures is 

 given as follows : — 



Put one gallon of clean water (preferably rain water) in a clean 

 tub or bucket and add No. 1 of the inclosed packages of salts. Stir 

 occasionally until all is disolved. 



Carefully open package No. 2 and drop the inclosed cotton into 

 the solution. Cover the tub with a paper to protect from dust, and set 

 aside in a warm place for 24 hours. Do not heat the solution or you 

 will kill the bacteria — it should never be warmer than blood heat. 



After 24 hours add the contents of package No. 8. Within 20 hours 

 more the solution will have a cloudy appearance and is ready for use. 



To Inoculate Seed. — Take just enough of the solution to thoroughly 

 moisten the seed. Stir thoroughly so that all the seeds are touched 

 by the solution. Spread out the seed in a shady place until they are 

 dry enough to handle, and plant just as you would untreated seed. 



To Inoculate Soil. — Take enough dry earth so that the solution 

 will merely moisten it. Mix thoroughly, so that all the particles of the 

 soil are moistened. Thoroughly mix this earth with 4 or 5 times as 

 much, say half a wagon load. Spread this iuoculated soil thinly and 

 evenly over the field as if spreading fertilizer. This should be done just 

 before ploughing, or else the inoculated soil should be harrowed in 

 immediately. 



Either of the above methods may be used, as may be most 

 convenient. 



